Monday, December 31, 2018

Mechanical men

Mid-December I toddled over to the House of Targ for their final edition of Switched on Synths for 2018. It was a somewhat local affair with Hard Science, Infinity's Astrum and Ki joined by Paraphonique, who kicked things off.

Paraphonique at House of Targ

Wired action!

Paraphonique at House of Targ

And now on to another bloke staring intently at a lot of electronical thingamajiggery with Nick of Infinity's Astrum!

Infinity's Astrum at House of Targ

Analog action!

Infinity's Astrum at House of Targ

Adjusting action!

Infinity's Astrum at House of Targ

Next up, Ki, one of the many pseudonyms of international electronica star Paul Anthony.

Ki at House of Targ

More adjusting!

Ki at House of Targ

And so on!

Ki at House of Targ

Hard Science finished the night off. Here's Arturo!

Hard Science at House of Targ

More Arturo!

Hard Science at House of Targ

Really solid sets from everyone!

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Strings sandwich

Early in December I toddle over to Pressed from a cello and electronica sandwich. Alder & Ash were headlining, with Montreal ambient keyboardist Viñu-vinu following Alexis Castrogiovanni. Here's Alexis and saxophonist Michael!

Alexis Castrogiovanni at Pressed

Percussive action with Aneeq!

Alexis Castrogiovanni at Pressed

Bowed action!

Alexis Castrogiovanni at Pressed

Saxophonic action!

Alexis Castrogiovanni at Pressed

The whole lot!

Alexis Castrogiovanni at Pressed

On to Viñu-vinu, who has a new album composed during a residency in Banff.

Viñu-vinu at Pressed

Adjusting action!

Viñu-vinu at Pressed

Alder & Ash closed the night with some solo cello works. Here's main man Adrian, who uses loop pedals to create his compositions.

Alder & Ash at Pressed

Another side of Adrian!

Alder & Ash at Pressed

And so on!

Alder & Ash at Pressed

Plucking action!

Alder & Ash at Pressed

A fine way to spend an evening.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Two, three and more

I had a hankering to see Deux Trois again after their October show at Targ, and just my luck they were back in town on a bill with Scattered Clouds and Greathunter. This was my first time seeing Greathunter, but there's a few familiar faces, starting with guitarist and singer Andrew (also of Those Gulls and Decathlete).

Greathunter at Black Squirrel Books

Violin and bass clarinet (there's an instrument you don't see a lot of) action with Neil and Antoine!

Greathunter at Black Squirrel Books

Percussive action with Leigh (of World War 4 and many others)!

Greathunter at Black Squirrel Books

More violin!

Greathunter at Black Squirrel Books

More clarinet!

Greathunter at Black Squirrel Books

Double-bass action with Aaron!

Greathunter at Black Squirrel Books

Predatory action!

Greathunter at Black Squirrel Books

More Andrew!

Greathunter at Black Squirrel Books

Deux Trois were their usual intense self. Here's  Nadia!

Deux Trois at Black Squirrel Books

Guitar action with Ben!

Deux Trois at Black Squirrel Books

Bass action with Benjamin!

Deux Trois at Black Squirrel Books

Bonus Ben!

Deux Trois at Black Squirrel Books

Rhythm section action!

Deux Trois at Black Squirrel Books

A shouty bit!

Deux Trois at Black Squirrel Books

More Nadia!

Deux Trois at Black Squirrel Books

Gripping action!

Deux Trois at Black Squirrel Books

Benjamin sings!

Deux Trois at Black Squirrel Books

Scattered Clouds put on a fine show as well; here's Jamie in full-on demonic librarian mode.

Scattered Clouds at Black Squirrel Books

Bass action with Jeff!

Scattered Clouds at Black Squirrel Books

Jamie hits!

Scattered Clouds at Black Squirrel Books

Fender action with Phillippe!

Scattered Clouds at Black Squirrel Books

And so on!

Scattered Clouds at Black Squirrel Books

More bass!

Scattered Clouds at Black Squirrel Books

Cloudy action!

Scattered Clouds at Black Squirrel Books

Jeff sings!

Scattered Clouds at Black Squirrel Books

Scattered action!

Scattered Clouds at Black Squirrel Books

A super triple bill.

Sunday, December 09, 2018

Waving the flag

Petra Glynt is one of those performers I try to catch whenever she's in town; when she was slated to appear on a bill with Bonnie Doon and Sparklesaurus it was plain that Targ was the place for me to be for her late November show. Here's Colleen from Sparklesaurus to start things off!

Sparklesaurus at House of Targ

Shamisa handles the keys.

Sparklesaurus at House of Targ

Felicity sings!

Sparklesaurus at House of Targ

Rhythm section action with Brad!

Sparklesaurus at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Sparklesaurus at House of Targ

I think there was a purplish, velvety theme going on ....

Sparklesaurus at House of Targ

Extra Brad!

Sparklesaurus at House of Targ

Extra Shamisa!

Sparklesaurus at House of Targ

More Colleen!

Sparklesaurus at House of Targ

Bonnie Doon were all about the animal prints for this show. Here's new member Aymara and Lesley!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Guitar action with Madison!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Bass action with Sara!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Sharky action with Keltie!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Lesley sings!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

More Keltie!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Clapping action with Aymara!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Saxophonic action!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Extra bass with Madison!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Guitar action with Sara!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Petra Glynt rounded things up with a super set. She released a new album, My Flag Is A Burning Rag Of Love in September, so she had a bunch of new stuff to entertain the crowd.

Petra Glynt at House of Targ

Petra sings!

Petra Glynt at House of Targ

And so on!

Petra Glynt at House of Targ

Her kit has expanded a bit since I first caught her at the Dominion many years ago.

Petra Glynt at House of Targ

And, er, that's it!