Bean there, done that

Megaphono aims for diversity in both music and venue, so the festival is also a chance to check out music in odd locations. The only one I managed to get to was Bridgehead Roastery, which is located in Little Italy and, as the name suggests, is where the local coffee chain preps its beans. It's actually quite a good place ofr a small show. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take full advantage of the photographic opportunities because I foolishly neglected to re-insert my camera's battery after sticking it in the recharger the night before. Well, at least there's always the iPhone for when my mind wanders. First performer of the evening was Jack Pine. It's been a few years since I caught his Bluesfest performance in 2013 (with band). Here he is solo again.



He was followed by Chris Page, who recently released a new solo album, Volume Vs. Voice. He brought out the band for this one, including Jon Higney and Colin Majid.



Chris sings!



On to Cherie, who played a lovely set. They're big fans of Daughter and covered one of that band's songs. Here's singer Magalie Rondeau and Jeff Gleason (who usually plays bass, but was apparently switched to guitar for this show).



The whole lot!



Rhythm section action!



A fun evening.

Ottawa Bluesfest 2013: Day 7

My stint at Bluesfest Thursday night was a short one. I arrived in time to check out Jack Pine & The Fire, stayed for the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and took in a couple of other acts, but I wanted to be at Pressed for 9 p.m. so I didn't linger.

First stop, the River Stage for Jack Pine and company. I saw him at Cafe DeKcuf in March of 2012 and really dug his mountain music style. I was equally impressed with his band.


Jack Pine and The Fire, July 11, 2013

After a few songs from them I went over to the Black Sheep Stage to inspect Les Mosquitos. They had some reggae style grooves and  a high quotient of songs about drugs.


Les Mosquitos at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 11, 2013

Good energy from this quintet.


Les Mosquitos at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 11, 2013

Next stop was the Main Stage (or the Bell Stage, as I suppose I should call it), to check out an old favourite, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Spencer, Judah Bauer and Russell Simmins always put a lot of energy into their show, and Jon's pants brought back happy memories of their sizzling Babylon set back in 2007.


Jon Spencer Blues Explosion at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 11, 2013

Finally, I went over to check out some of Larry McCray's set (and grab a bite to eat). He was good in 2009, and good this year too.


Larry McCray at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 11, 2013

Then it was time to make a beeline for home and grab my "real" camera for the evening's Damo Suzuki performance - more on that later.

In the pines, in the pines

I was so darn impressed with my first sighting of 90 Pounds of Ugly I just had to go and see them the next chance I had, which turned out to be March 2  at Cafe DeKcuf. The opening act was Jack pine, who I'd met at the odd show and whose name I'd seen on sundry bills. As it turns out he's an excellent performer of roots music, usually with The Fire, but also solo on this occasion.

The man himself (also know as Gareth Auden-Hole)!



Close-up action!



Acoustic action!



Not so close-up action!



And now for a little mandolin ...



The shouty bit!



A fine live show, and I also highly recommend his album. Jack Pine & The Fire will be sharing a stage at the Elmdale with The Murder Plans June 8.

Down by the river

I went to Cafe DeKcuf last night to see some roots music, headlined by 90 Pounds of Ugly and featuring two acts who I've seen around either playing in bands or in the crowd at other shows.

I met Jack Pine at the latest House of Targ show, if memory serves. He usually plays with his band as Jack Pine & The Fire (and will do so next Sunday at the Black Sheep Inn), but on this occasion he was going solo, and doing a fine job on some mountain music style tunes. He played Doc Watson's Walk On, Boy.


Jack Pine at Cafe DeKcuf, March 2, 2012

Mandolin action!


Jack Pine at Cafe DeKcuf, March 2, 2012

The Bank Robbers Union plays some roughed up old-style country. There may have been some pre-show drinking, if stage banter is to be believed. Here's Kalamity Kay and Brother Cletus.


Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf, March 2, 2012

Two-Guns plays the guitar. Standup Steve was also there, but I didn't get a good photo of him.


Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf, March 2, 2012

The Ugly ones impressed me when I saw them at The Rainbow with Morgan Friend and Ol Savannah, and did just fine this time around too.


90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf, March 2, 2012

Here's Steve, playing two sets in a row - he's playing again tonight, I'm guessing, since it's his stag and doe at the Elmdale and scads of bands are each doing a few songs to help raise some nuptial cash.


90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf, March 2, 2012

A solid evening of inebriated banter and Americana, but I had to leave a bit early since frankly I was feeling wiped out.

• Show reminder: Rosetta, Alaskan, Restorations, and Oh Misere play loud at Mavericks; Beyond Creation, Valfreya, Unbeing and Deformatory are at the Brass Monkey; Robbie Antone's Blues Machine plays the Rainbow; Swamperella performs at Irene's. Little City, Faraway Neighbours and James & Blackburn roll into the Avant-Garde.