Luters will be shot

On to March 22, and a last-minute show at the M4rcury Lounge. I have a fondness for such acoustic fret-wizards as Ben Chasney (a.k.a. Six Organs of Admittance), Jack Rose and their ilk - a category into which Jozef Van Wissem falls, though his instrument of choice is one whose form was cemented around the 17th century, the baroque 13-course lute. As mentioned earlier, one of the few local performers that leap to mind in the same vein, and here he is, Nathan Larochette of Musk Ox, who finagled himself onto the bill at the last moment.



On to Van Wissem's tourmate, Bobbie Lee. I can see him playing with some of Ottawa's more experimental - dare I say Bruised Tongueian? - acts if he ever returns to Bytown.



There was a heavy electronic component to his work.



Here he is performing with Van Wissem for a tune.



And I already used both Van Wissem photos in the post-show roundup, so that's it! Last I heard, Nathan was over in Europe coping with broking instruments. Musk Ox will also be playing a few dates with Agalloch this summer.

• Show reminder: Burnt Church, Powercup, Weak Ends and The Vanishing Act rock Assholehaus (a.k.a. 297 Powell, near Bronson); A Darker Day and Brainhunter perform at the Avant-Garde; The Nobs play the Rainbow; it's a laugh riot at the Ottawa Explosion's funnyperson sideshow with Todd Glass, Brody Stevens, Magnus Betner, Hampton Yount, Rob Mailloux, Chris Locke, Nick Flanagan, Dave Mcknoell and Nick Carter; Shotgun Wedding, The Musettes and Dany Laj & The Looks play the Elmdale; Still Winter Hills and The Reverb Syndicate are at Irene's.

Let the luting begin

A few days ago I was surprised to get an e-mail from John Westhaver at Birdman Sound, forwarding a message that Jozef Van Wissem was performing at the Mercury Lounge on Thursday. Van Wissem has gained a pretty good reputation among fans of psychedelic and experimental folk for his work with the baroque and Renaissance lutes.

I had seen Musk Ox perform at the Mercury Lounge earlier in the month and naturally thought he would be an ideal opening act, and lo and behold, here's Nathan Larochette - solo this time.


Musk Ox at Mercury Lounge, March 22, 2012

Jozef Van Wissem has been touring with Robbie Lee, a Brooklyn based music improviser who used a baroque recorder, soprillo saxophone and body microphone to make some strange sounds. Someone should stick him on a bill with Colin Stetson if they haven't already.


Robbie Lee at Mercury Lounge, March 22, 2012

This marks my first and likely last sighting of a soprillo saxophone.


Robbie Lee at Mercury Lounge, March 22, 2012

He joined Van Wissem for his first song.


Jozef Van Wissem and Robbie Lee at Mercury Lounge, March 22, 2012

Thirteen-course action!


Jozef Van Wissem at Mercury Lounge, March 22, 2012

Van Wissem also makes use of feedback ... John Dowland never done it like that!


Jozef Van Wissem at Mercury Lounge, March 22, 2012

A fine show, though I'm afraid the low-key promotion meant the turnout was quite small.

• Show reminder: Damo Suzuki stops in at the Dominion, with backing from The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol; Project Mars, Headbounce and Innerpeace perform at Zaphod's. The Great Sabatini, Collider and Loviatar destroy Cafe DeKcuf; The Pelts and The Hornettes play the Rainbow; Brock Zeman celebrates his birthday at Irene's; Cornflower Blue give a free shindig at The Elmdale.