Seasonal synthesis

The weather is horrible, that must mean it's time for the annual late-winter mood-lifter that is Doldrums. Granted, the music calendar is a bit busier nowadays in March than it was when the fest was first conceived five years ago, but the more the merrier. This year's edition was held at Club SAW, and the first evening had some heavy synthetic leanings starting with vowel-and-capital dodger sbsst. Here he is!



More Eric!



Kate Schroder (also of Those Gulls) played next; she was joined by cellist Shawn and violinist Neil.



Stringed action with Neil!



Shawn bows!



Gesticulating action!



Extra Neil!



More Kate!



And so on!



Church of Trees broke out the projection for some top-notch 1980s styles synth-pop. Here's Bernard and Felicity (who's also on Sparklesaurus).



There was also some dancing from Surraya!



Felicity sings!



Bernard adjusts that dial!



More Felicity!



Sacred action!



Even more Felicity!



Bernard sings!



The always versatile Destroy Clocks finished the night off; here's Nicole!



Kevin works the pedals.



They played a short set since drummer Tyler was under the weather.



Nicole sings!



Kevin sings!



More Nicole!



Extra Kevin!



Bonus Tyler!



The whole lot!



And finally a shouty bit!



A great way to beat the winter blues.

Strictly ornamental

Back to Doldrums at Cafe DeKcuf, where Ornaments wrapped up the evening with a ferocious set. starting with some faceoff action!



Kevin hits!



David sings!



Jay shakes it!



Singalong action!



Gripping action1



Extra Kevin!



Bass-lifting action!



Big finish!



Rolling about!



And so on!



They're playing the Rainbow next Friday with Cheap Speakers and Hearts $ Mines.

Teach you what a baby won't

The next band on the bill at Doldrums was an unknown to me,  local group Plaster Babies. I thought they played a great set, and the audience concurred. They say they play rock with psychedelic and grungy touches, and that seems apt. To be more precise, I thought they sounded a bit like The Starlite Desperation and The Icarus Line, who tread in similar territory.

And they're off! With guitarist Sean, his brother Michael on drums, singer-guitarist Ben and bassist Rob.



Michael rocks the Ray-Bans.



Hair-shaking action1



Ben sings!



Ben gets a grip.



Rhythm section action!



Ben takes  aknee.



Guitar action!



In the interim they've put out a new EP, Down the Ramparts and Into the Shit, available at their Bandcamp.

Just the ticket

The next act at Doldrums was a new one for me: The Ticket is a sharply dressed two-man operation, with a slightly bluesy, soulful feel.

Jack Litster mans the kit.



Grimacing action with Adam Waselnuk!



And now for a few sans flash.



Jack hits!



Bluesy action!



The end!



They're recording an EP at Bova Sound about now.