Thursday, November 30, 2017

Stranger things

There's been a Not Normal night in Ottawa dedicated to experimental and avant-garde music for a few years now. It's been something I always planned to get around to checking out but never quite did - until last week, when the Low Noise crowd convened at Black Squirrel Books for some electronic sounds. I didn't take many pictures (since were basically talking about three guys manipulating gear on a tabletop), but definitely enjoyed the cool sounds. First up, Jared Epp.

Jared Epp at Black Squirrel Books

Flashy action!

Jared Epp at Black Squirrel Books

Long open time action!

Jared Epp at Black Squirrel Books

White Noises had the lion's share of his gear in a tiny plywood case. Here he is with soem more long-open time action!

White Noises at Black Squirrel Books

More noise!

White Noises at Black Squirrel Books

Handy action!

White Noises at Black Squirrel Books

Arturo B has been making electronic sounds and light shows around town; I caught him at a Targ Switched On Synths night back in 2016, and later on providing some projected visuals ... here he is doing both!

Hard Science at Black Squirrel Books

More Arturo!

Hard Science at Black Squirrel Books

Audio-visual action!

Hard Science at Black Squirrel Books

A fine lineup.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Soft and hard

I got to see two great shows last week; the second was at the House of Targ, and featured local noiseniks Soft Life and Slow Dawn, with touring Newfoundlanders Incredible Women kicking out some serious Iggy-style moves. First up, Soft Life - I don't know much about this duo, which might on occasion be a trio?

Soft Life at House of Targ

Percussive action!

Soft Life at House of Targ

More guitar!

Soft Life at House of Targ

Vocal action!

Soft Life at House of Targ

The whole lot!

Soft Life at House of Targ

More percussion!

Soft Life at House of Targ

Backlit action!

Soft Life at House of Targ

Slow Dawn were on next with some high-volume psych, and some new stuff as well. Here's Dan and Sean!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

Bass action with Jesse!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

Chris hits!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

More Sean!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

More Dan!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

Extra Chris!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

Even more Dan!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

Guitar action!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

Incredible Woman (formerly Derm Kean and An Incredible Woman) put on a super set. To my ears their recorded stuff sounds in the same vein as Pleasure Forever, one of my personal faves. Live, frontman Derm puts on a most-Iggy-ilke performance. Here's Derm, getting ready to roll on the floor!

Incredible Women at House of Targ

The band brought their own light setup and copious smoke, so this rhythm section action is even more in-the-red (and less in focus) than usual.

Incredible Women at House of Targ

Their guitarist is highly mobile.

Incredible Woman at House of Targ

More bassist!

Incredible Woman at House of Targ

Derm adjusts!

Incredible Woman at House of Targ

Derm works the floor!

Incredible Woman at House of Targ

Vocal action!

Incredible Woman at House of Targ

More percussion!

Incredible Woman at House of Targ

Incredible action!

Incredible Woman at House of Targ

More bass action!

Incredible Woman at House of Targ

And back to standing on the bass drum!

Incredible Woman at House of Targ

A super show all around.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Close to home

Considering how close it is to my house, it's odd that I've been to Live! On Elgin a grand total of twice. I visited it once when it was relatively new, back in July 2015, and again a week ago for a killer show featuring locals Shadowhand, Whoop-Szo and East Coast pop sensation Walrus. Shadowhand kicked things off. Here's Jamieson (also of How Far To Mexico)!

Shadowhand at Live! On Elgin

Sean hits!

Shadowhand at Live! On Elgin

Guitar action with Matthew (also of Acres)!

Shadowhand at Live! On Elgin

Faceoff action with Brandon!

Shadowhand at Live! On Elgin

Guitar and bass action!

Shadowhand at Live! On Elgin

More Jamieson!

Shadowhand at Live! On Elgin

Extra Brandon!

Shadowhand at Live! On Elgin

Singalong action!

Shadowhand at Live! On Elgin

Keyboard action!

Shadowhand at Live! On Elgin

I've been lucky enough to catch Whoop-Szo twice - probably not enough for such a fantastic band given the opportunities. Last time was in 2015 when I stuck around for a song or two of their Ottawa Explosion set before bouncing off to see some Creeps. They were down to a quartet again. Here's Andrew!

Whoop-Szo at Live! On Elgin

Bass action with Joe!

Whoop-Szo at Live! On Elgin

Closeup action with Adam!

Whoop-Szo at Live! On Elgin

Eric (of I Smell Blood) hits!

Whoop-Szo at Live! On Elgin

Rock action!

Whoop-Szo at Live! On Elgin

More Adam!

Whoop-Szo at Live! On Elgin

Joe sings!

Whoop-Szo at Live! On Elgin

Gesticulating action!

Whoop-Szo at Live! On Elgin

Walrus is another band that's blown me away, the single time I've seen them, at Mugshots three years ago on a bill with The Auras. This time singer and guitarist Justin was giving his axe a rest after injuring his thumb. Here's Justin and his lawnchair-afflicted thumb!

Walrus at Live! on Elgin

Guitar action with Keith!

Walrus at Live! on Elgin

Jordan hits!

Walrus at Live! on Elgin

Gripping action!

Walrus at Live! on Elgin

Guitar action with Justin, and Keith's back!

Walrus at Live! on Elgin

Whammy-bar action!

Walrus at Live! on Elgin

More Keith!

Walrus at Live! on Elgin

More Justin and Keith!

Walrus at Live! on Elgin

More Justin and Keith!

Walrus at Live! on Elgin

More Justin!

Walrus at Live! on Elgin

More Jordan!

Walrus at Live! on Elgin

A dynamite night!