Bluesfest: Dirty Projectors

Following Bradley's main stage workout, I wandered over to the River Stage. That's where Dirty Projectors were getting ready to rev things up with some left-of-the-fial indie rock. They were a bit more rock'n'roll this time, as compared to when I saw them open for Grizzly Bear at Barrymore's.

Drummer Michael Johnson and (I think) Haley Dekle check the mics.



One, two, three ...



Apart from frontman David Longstreth, I think Amber Coffmann is the only member who was at the Barrymore's show.



Unless I'm much mistaken, this is super, super new (at the time, anyway) keyboardist Olga Bell.



Longstreth gets a grip.



Extra Amber!



Singalong action, plus Nat Baldwin! Baldwin came through town early in the year to do a solo gig at Raw Sugar.



It was a bit warmer this time around!



Dirty action!



Amber sings!



Guitar action!



Amber sings again!



Projecting action!



Percussive action!



The shouty bit!



The other side of the stage ...



Then it was off to see Super Chikan.

Ottawa Bluesfest 2012, Day 2

Off for another day of Bluesfesting, heavy on the indie rock and, surprisingly, the blues. I arrived a little later than expected, and cruised past the Claridge Stage, where I caught a bit of Carly Rae Jepsen show. The Call Me Maybe hitmaker had a sizeable crowd. Her pop is a bit lightweight for my tastes, but she seems pretty capable and I can see her making quite an impression as the years go by.


Carly Rae Jepsen at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 5, 2012

I made a beeline (okay, a very disoriented bee) for the River Stage to check out Fevers. They made a great impression when I saw them play at Babylon on St. Patrick's Day. They played another great set in the sweltering sun. The crowd was small but appreciative.


Fevers at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 5, 2012

After they wrapped up I popped over to see a bit of Dry River Caravan. Another small but enthusiastic crowd for their Balkan sound.


Dry River Caravan at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 5, 2012

Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires were a big draw for me, since I love that soul stuff. Bradley certainly serves up in the James Brown style. Unfortunately the experience was dampened a bit by the joshing of a nearby collection of LMFAO fans. Dude, if you're a fan of LFMAO, don't even think about making fun of other people's music - even if Bradley does give their band of choice a run for their money in the pelvic thrusting department. One thing I've got to note: The sound at this year's Bluesfest on the main stage is a huge improvement over last year. Bradley will be performing again tonight at 9 p.m. on the Black Sheep Stage.


Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 5, 2012

Then it was back to the River Stage to see Dirty Projectors. I saw them five years ago at Barrymore's, opening for Grizzly Bear. They sounded a bit less, shall we say, unconventional this time around, but still had some of that brittle energy that separates them from much of the indie-rock pack.


Dirty Projectors at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 5, 2012

Finally I went over to check out Super Chikan on the Black Sheep stage. He is indeed super. If you like your blues with fuzz, he is the man to see. It helps that he's supported by a swell band, most notably jukejoint pianist Lala Craig with who he has an excellent on-stage rapport. The crowd built up as he played, always a sign of a stellar performer.


Super Chikan at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 5, 2012

Then I walked past LMFAO. Apparently a key member couldn't make it, so they were only half as good as normal. I usually decline to criticize music I don't like on the grounds there's no accounting for taste, but it really did come across like a smorgasbord of stupidity. I went off to Babylon next, to see Pregnancy Scares and White Lung, but that'll have to wait for some photo uploading.

• Show reminder: The Cutmen release their new CD at the Elmdale with support from The Allrights. It's time for another Punk Rock Covers night at the Montgomery Legion; The Bart Walker Band brings the blues to the Rainbow; the Ross Neilsen band plays Irene's.

Make it a double

My travellings yesterday took me to Raw Sugar for a double bill featuring local folk artist Landon A.R. Coleman and Dirty Projectors member Nat Baldwin. I'm not sure what kind of crowd was expected on a Sunday night for two performers not on a whole lot of folks' radar screens, but the cafe was pretty well-packed. I got there late and watched most of Coleman's set from near the door. As you can see he was joined by Tobias Meis. He asked if people liked Neil Young, then played Buffalo Springfield's Down To The Wire.


Landon A.R. Coleman at Raw Sugar, February 19, 2012

He also had the sister of his sister-in-law (or something like that "We share a niece" he said by way of explanation) to sing on one of the tunes.


Landon A.R. Coleman at Raw Sugar, February 19, 2012

I didn't get much closer for Nat Baldwin's set, but then conditions weren't going to be improving for photography anyway. As you'd expect from one man and a double bass, it was quite minimalist - so the  cover of Arthur Russell's A Little Lost did not come out of left field.


Nat Baldwin at Raw Sugar, February 19, 2012

"Take off your shirt!" one audience member cried as he adjusted his duds to suit the temperature. "Buy my record!" replied Nat.


Nat Baldwin at Raw Sugar, February 19, 2012

A very nice show and about the most attentive crowd I've ever seen.

• Show reminder: The Johnstones, Mean Tangerine, Hello Beautiful and Freshly Cut play Mavericks; Scally Cap Brats, Soul in Stone and Lost Youth perform at the Rainbow along with some burlesque courtesy of Bourbon & Spice,  and some blues-jazz by Chase & Gregg.

Muck and mire

I'd say that The Dirty Projectors were the wild card in the Grizzly Bear show lineup, if only Crush Buildings hadn't been on the bill. As for the band, Projectors mainstay Dave Longstreth has been described as one of the most individual songwriters around, and his band certainly has few precedents (the only one I could think of was Canada’s similarly singular Bob Wiseman, who also has a strident warble and occasionally rabble-rousing lyrical taste). Longstreth’s music seems to draw from Afropop – the high-pitched, brittle licks played by him and guitarist Amber Coffman sound like the thumb piano riffs transferred to guitar that are the hallmarks of the style. While the melodies were occasionally weird and angular, the band’s rhythms held it all together and went over very well the audience.

Projector-in-chief Dave.



Co-guitarist and backing singer Amber.



Bassist Angel Deradoorian.



Brian Mcomber on the skins.



Dirty action!





They're currently on tour with Hella; they're just that versatile an outfit

• Show reminder: Butterflies and Zebras, Hey Ocean, Transitaural and Adeline perform at Zaphod Beeblebrox.

Buildings and house

You know you've had a good night when you see a great local band you're unfamiliar with, another of your local faves, and a headliner that more than lives up to its billing. (Extra bonus - their touring partners, who've also heard great things about, also rock as announced).

Crush Buildings - Eaaazzzz and James.



As the Poets Affirm's Gary Udle (and a shadowy Alex Cairncross).



Dirty Projectors are the lovechild of Bob Wiseman and Lora Logic, but without the saxophone. Dave Longstreth, left, is their musical director; on guitar is Amber Coffman.



As for Grizzly Bear, they were simply enchanting. Daniel Rossen kicked things off with a lovely tune.



Top marks for all involved ... except the guy who turned on the music as soon as GB left the stage, effectively depriving the crowd of an encore. Despite that, it's the early entry for show of the year.