Kicks in the apse

Tuesday was the kickoff for Ottawa's first Megaphono festival. The festival is part of John Bartlett of Kelp Record's plans for Ottawa music scene world domination, and in addition to concerts in venues around town features panels and information sessions to help the locals get a leg up. The musical part of the program commenced at St. Alban's on King Edward. The church has hosted a few music shows in the past, but this was my first voyage to the hallowed halls. The layout is quite simple - bands in the chancel, crowds in the nave. First up were Scattered Clouds.

They performed as a duo with Phillipe on keyboards and electronics and Pierre-Luc on guitar.



Phillipe sings!



More Pierre-Luc!



More Phillipe!



The whole lot!



Next up were Evening Hymns. The band is the musical expression of Jonas Bonnetta, and takes root in the same sonic garden that nurtures acts such acts as Timbre Timbre and Monroe Mustang. Here's main man Jonas and guitarist Jon Hynes.



He's also joined by Sylvie Smith of The Magic.



That Jonas!



The whole lot (including local drummer Pat Johnson, who's also backed Jon recently).



More Sylvie and Pat!



Fisheyed break action!



Striped action!



Singalong action!



Jonas likes to jump around a bit.



Finally, a half-decent picture of Jon.



On to Last Ex, which apparently features folks from Timbre Timbre who turned an attempt at a horror movie soundtrack into an instrumental album. Here's the ever-busy Olivier Fairfield, last seen performing with H. de Heutz at Black Squirrel Books, soon to be seen performing with Fet. Nat. at the House of Targ.



Simon Trottier handles the guitar.



Keyboard action!



More guitar!



Fisheye action!



Violin action with Mika Posen!



Extra Olivier!



Then it was off to the bus stop for a ride to the House of Targ.