Other shores

Experimental Music Wednesdays are coming to an end (last night's was the second to last), but they seem to draw a big crowd - I had a hard time finding a table to eat my curried lamb sandwich at. For this evening the admittedly less experimental-than-usual find the others came up from Toronto to share the stage with Kingdom Shore.

Find The Others started things off with some video-abetted pop music that put me in mind of Shearwater and The Books. Here's guitarist Alan Sheppard.


Find The Others at Pressed, November 7, 2012

And not the best photo of drummer Mark.


Find The Others at Pressed, November 7, 2012

I haven't had a chance to see Kingdom Shore before now, though I have seen part of their lineup (Ryan Hough of Golden Famile and Nathan Medema of If Then Do and j'envoie) in other projects, and many years ago I think I saw mainman Mark Molnar play a solo set at Bumpers (perhaps I just imagined it). Anyway, I enjoyed their album, which I bought back in 2007 at Sounds Unlikely. For those unfamiliar, they're a string quartet with a couple of electronics men along for the ride. Not so many photo opportunities during their frenzy and drone, but everyone stayed pretty still (at least in this shot).


Kingdom Shore at Pressed, November 7, 2012

A most intriguing night.

If Then Don't

I went to see The Flaps at their swanky CD release party at the Avant-Garde Bar, along with openers If Then Do Oct. 15. Here's how the pictures turned out:



Not very well. There were a few technical difficulties at the developer's. Thus, the only two surviving pictures from the remnants of the role depicted above were ...

1. John Higney rocking on out on the closing number and ...



2. Pat Lawlor holding up one half of the evenings' fabulous prize: A pair of flaps!



If Then Do made a good opening act, with some moody extended tones - courtesy of Ross Birdwise - giving way to bass rhythms from Nathan Medema, along with abrasive electronic noises for extra flavour. John Higney provided some unintentional humour when his tossed jacket yanked the duo's power source from the wall, bringing their first song to an abrupt halt. Actually, it was quite an icebreaker. Every band should try it. ITD will be playing again Oct. 27 at Club SAW as part of Sul Pont label showcase with Le Lecteur, Sinequanon and Element Kuuda. As always The Flaps really hit the spot with their finely honed instrumental prowess and equally swell covers and originals. They have two upcoming gigs: They make a "guest appearance" at The Songbird Music hoe-down Oct. 22, and are putting on a Halloween show with Jon Bartlett singing at Irene's Pub Oct. 29.

• Show Reminder: The Bellrays and The Sunday Sinners, (who I heard feature Mark Sultan, a.k.a. BBQ - but apparently not so; his Sexareenos-mate Work With me Annie is there, though) and other trash rock vets from Montreal in their ranks play Babylon (EDIT: or not. They cancelled. Four'n'Giv'r play in their stead). The Acorn hold a release party for their EP Blankets! with Snailhouse. The Fucking Machines play The Aloha Room.