Showing posts with label Last Ex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Last Ex. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Bad news and waterfowl

For Day 2 of Megaphono I went back to St. Alban's to see a trio of acts who I'd only heard of Fiver, Merganzer and Andy Shauf. As it turns out, two of the major players are not entirely unfamiliar: Fiver is the solo project of One Hundred Dollars from Simone Schmidt, and Merganzer is fronted by Mika Posen of Timber Timbre and Last Ex (who I shot at last year's Megaphono outing). I've always loved One Hundred Dollars' hardnoised country-noir, and Fiver is, if anything, even bleaker. Simone's voice makes me think a bit of Karen Dalton.

Fiver at St. Alban's

Blue-ish action!

Fiver at St. Alban's

Merganzer is also a solo project, but the now Ottawa-based Posen is backed by a trio live. Here's keyboardist Katie Hurdon.

Merganzer at St. Alban's

Mika has her hands full.

Merganzer at St. Alban's

Pascal Delaquis from Hilotrons keeps the beat.

Merganzer at St. Alban's

Scott McCannell handles the low end.

Merganzer at St. Alban's

Mika sings!

Merganzer at St. Alban's

Pascal applies some mallet.

Merganzer at St. Alban's

Singalong action!

Merganzer at St. Alban's

I confess that prior to this show I'd never heard of Andy Shauf (barring a brief notice in the my shows notices for an Elmdale gig back in 2011), but the Regina singer-songwriter seems to be getting quite a lot of attention for his rustic lyricism. He'll be back in the area in just a few days, performing at Gatineau's Salle Jean-Despréz on Feb. 20.

Andy Shauf at St. Alban's

Keyboard action!

Andy Shauf at St. Alban's

Bass action!

Andy Shauf at St. Alban's

Olivier Fairfield makes his mandatory Megaphono appearance.

Andy Shauf at St. Alban's
 

And so on!

Andy Shauf at St. Alban's


Another very pleasant night out.

Thursday, February 05, 2015

In the neighbourhood

For Day 2 of Megaphono I headed for Hintonburg. Ottawa's newest winter festival has a "Hintonburg Hangs", with various acts performing at the Record Centre and across the street at the Elmdale Tavern. It was my first visit to either venue, and the performances were all superior.

First stop, the Record Centre for a cracking set courtesy of Silver Creek, a band I never seem to get to see except at festivals. Here's main man SHawn Tavenier and guitarist Nick Gauthier.

Silver Creek at Record Centre

Shane McEwan gets the window seat.

Silver Creek at Record Centre

Bass and guitar action with Mark Laforest and Blair Hogan.

Silver Creek at Record Centre

Nick frets!

Silver Creek at Record Centre

Shawn sings!

Silver Creek at Record Centre

Singalong action!

Silver Creek at Record Centre

More Shane!

Silver Creek at Record Centre

Closeup action!

Silver Creek at Record Centre

Fisheye action!

Silver Creek at Record Centre

Handclapping action!

Silver Creek at Record Centre

Blair multitasks!

Silver Creek at Record Centre

Guitar-lifting action!

Silver Creek at Record Centre

On to Future States, who have a nice melancholy pop sound that had one wee tyke dancing enthusiastically. Here's bassist David Lacalamita, guitarist Brodie Conley, drummer Daniel Gelinas and keyboardist Nicolas Hyatt.

Future States at Record Centre

Singalong action with David and Chuck Bronson!

Future States at Record Centre

Nicolas is amused.

Future States at Record Centre

Chuck sings!

Future States at Record Centre

Backup vocal action with David!

Future States at Record Centre

Brodie likewise.

Future States at Record Centre

Mad monk action with Daniel!

Future States at Record Centre

More keyboards!

Future States at Record Centre

After that I popped over to the Elmdale Tavern to catch the tail end of Winchester Warm's set and Her Harbour. I quickly realized that, unless you plan to use flash, photography is more or less out of the question. This picture of Jonathan is about as bright as it gets.

Winchester Warm at Elmdale Tavern

And here's Gabrielle Giguere (a.k.a. e-tron records recording artist Her Harbour) who was joined by some of her label-mates: Olivier Fairfield on drums, Pierre-Luc Clement on Guitar and Phillippe Charbonneau on double bass. She definitely made me think of Joanna Newsom's work.

Her Harbour at Elmdale Tavern

Here's Pierre!

Her Harbour at Elmdale Tavern

Harbour action!

Her Harbour at Elmdale Tavern

But that's it. A nice afternoon, but by the time the show ended I was really feeling wiped out, so no Diefenbunker or night shows for me.

Wednesday, February 04, 2015

One down

After a quick bus ride Tuesday I ended up at the House of Targ. Aukofen, the first band on the bill had already started things up. They're a young combo who play the melodic metal popular with the youngsters nowadays. Since I'm ancient, it reminded me a bit of bands like Tool and Failure.

Here's bassist Martin Rocheleau and drummer Simon Joly.

Akoufen at House of Targ

And guitarists Marc-Antoine Joly and Matthieu Leroux.

Akoufen at House of Targ

More Martin!

Akoufen at House of Targ

Marc-Antoine shreds.

Akoufen at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Akoufen at House of Targ

Simon hits!

Akoufen at House of Targ

And so on!

Akoufen at House of Targ

More Simon!

Akoufen at House of Targ

Martin sings a bit!

Akoufen at House of Targ

They were followed by The Yips, who tore up the stage as usual.

The Yips at House of Targ

Vocal action!

The Yips at House of Targ

Kerri sings!

The Yips at House of Targ

Bass and guitar action with Kurt and Jonny (the latter recently seen surfing it up with Casa Lagarto)!

The Yips at House of Targ

Percussive action!

The Yips at House of Targ

More guitar with Zach!

The Yips at House of Targ

Extra Kerri and Kurt!

The Yips at House of Targ

Fet. Nat. finished the evening with a killer set. They've had a lineup change since I saw them last: Bassist Daniel Boivin has departed and jazz improv guru Linsey Wellman has joined up - last time I saw him was back in 2011 with Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers.

Fet. Nat at House of Targ

Here, once again, is Olivier Fairfield. I just saw him on stage again with Her Harbour at the Elmdale Taven just a few hours ago.

Fet. Nat at House of Targ

Gripping action with JFNO!

Fet. Nat at House of Targ

Pierre-Luc frets!

Fet. Nat at House of Targ

Linsey conducts some audience vocals!

Fet. Nat at House of Targ

JFNO works the crowd!

Fet. Nat at House of Targ

More Pierre-Luc and Olivier!

Fet. Nat at House of Targ

A good end to the fest's first day.