Single life

Last time Landon A.R. Coleman crossed my radar he was opening for Nat Baldwin, celebrated double-bassist and noted Dirty Projectors member, in the cozy confines of Raw Sugar. Mavericks isn't quite as cozy as the Somerset St. cafe - actually, it may be Ottawa's most featureless venue - but he was the right man to get things started for Sharon Van Etten's headlining show.

He spruced up for the gig.



He had a whole backing band for this set, including Leif Vollebekk.



Charlotte Cornfield played the drums.



And so on!



Bonus Leif!



The other side of Landon.



Jonathan Pearce of Poorfolk and Winchester Warm fame was standing in a less-well lit portion of the stage.



Acoustic action!



Guest vocal action!



I get the impression he's in Edmonton right now, but you know he gets all over ...

With band

I've got all three albums by singer-songwriter (and proud Nutley, N.J. native) Sharon Van Etten. Her introspective, minimalist folk is right up my alley (granted, I have several alleys). I was glad to hear she was coming through town, and happier still to see that even on a Monday night a lot of Ottawans share my high opinion of her songcraft. For this gig, Edmonton-to-Ottawa performer Landon A.R. Coleman filled the opening slot - a most appropriate choice he is too.

I didn't notice he was all that unshaven at his Raw Sugar show, opening for Nat Baldwin, but apparently he was extra-special spruced up for this gig, which led him to a charming/gruesome bit of banter about how he bled on his now-fiancee on their first date. He also covered Buffalo Springfield.


Landon A.R. Coleman at Mavericks, July 30, 2012

He had a backing band for this gig, including Jon from Poorfolk and Winchester Warm. Here's a drummer, direct from Montreal.


Landon A.R. Coleman at Mavericks, July 30, 2012

Van Etten was a very engaging performer, both during and between songs, such as joking about her discovery of pedals, and how her first album is a quarter-tone off due to the guitar only being in tune with itself, and how one of the song's obscure object of desire was in fact New Jersey hoagies. Like Coleman she had a backing trio with her, so some of those minimalist tunes got quite amped up.

Sharon in electric mode.


Sharon Van Etten at Mavericks, July 30, 2012

And acoustic. She later doffed her top to reveal a band T-shirt. "This is where I reveal I'm a secret Low fan." "Shock!" chimed in an audience member.



In sum, a good time was had by all.

• Show reminder: It's a busy Tuesday, with Calculator, Prawn and Shahman performing at 337 Lemoine St.; Calvin Johnson and Katie & The Lichen playing Pressed; Strung Out, Such Gold, Handguns and Sidelines rocking Ritual; and Imaginary Cities, The Murder Plans and Hinterlandband rolling into Mavericks.

To keep the story short

It doesn't take a lot of people to fill up Raw Sugar, but I think it was even fuller than usual for the February 19 show headlined by Nat Baldwin. To get these shots of opener Landon A.R. Coleman, I walked around behind the counter.

Landon sings, Tobias handles the low end.



Here's Nat, who plays in Dirty Projectors.



And, er, that's it!

• Show reminder: Purity Ring and AGOR perform at Cafe DeKcuf; Maladroit, Brixton Robbers, Robots! Everywhere!! and The Valveenus rock Mavericks; The Sean Duhaime Trio play the Rainbow; The Bruised Egos hurt their feelings at the Elmdale.

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.