National Capital Rock: November 2017

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.

Flashy action!

Long open time action!

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!

More noise!

Handy action!

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!

More Arturo!

Audio-visual action!

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?

Percussive action!

More guitar!

Vocal action!

The whole lot!

More percussion!

Backlit action!

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

Bass action with Jesse!

Chris hits!

More Sean!

More Dan!

Extra Chris!

Even more Dan!

Guitar action!

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!

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.

Their guitarist is highly mobile.

More bassist!

Derm adjusts!

Derm works the floor!

Vocal action!

More percussion!

Incredible action!

More bass action!

And back to standing on the bass drum!

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)!

Sean hits!

Guitar action with Matthew (also of Acres)!

Faceoff action with Brandon!

Guitar and bass action!

More Jamieson!

Extra Brandon!

Singalong action!

Keyboard action!

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!

Bass action with Joe!

Closeup action with Adam!

Eric (of I Smell Blood) hits!

Rock action!

More Adam!

Joe sings!

Gesticulating action!

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!