Around the world

In mid-September I walked over to the House of Targ for some Switched On Synths action, headlined by Berlin's Nina, aided and abetted by Toronto's Parallels, with an opening set from local synthwave newcomer Frame Perfects. Here's FP!



And so on!



Parallels (a.k.a. Holly Dodson) performed next, with her usual fine mid-1980s synth-pop style.



More Holly!



Keyboard action with Radiowolf!



Holly looks on!



Zing!



Keyboard action!



Gesticulating action!



Nina performed next, she was accompanied by fellow electronic artist Laura Fares (drummer and Aztec Records head), for some Trans-Atlantic action (Nina's from Berlin, Laura's from Buenos Aires, they're based in London)!



Singalong action!



Nina reaches out!



Laura hits!



Gripping action!



More Laura!



Keyboard action!



More singalong action!



Fun stuff all around.

Darkness and light

I headed off for another edition of House of Targ's Switched On Synths a week ago, and it was a great combination of analog beepery, gothic sounds, classic synth pop and dance rock, starting with a set from Infinity's Astrum. Here's Nick and his modular setup!



So ... many ... wires.



Modular action!



On to The Marquis; he's performed at Targ before, both solo and as one half of Automelodi. He was quite a bit more goth this time around.



Guitar election!



Vocal action!



Gripping action!



On to the moody synthpop of Glass Apple Bonzai - they've also come through Targ a couple of times. Here's Daniel!



Keyboard action with Steve!



A shouty bit!



More Steve!



Singalong action!



Steve sings!



Roof-raising action!



Toronto's Kontravoid ended the night; mainman Cameron was a founder of Parallels during their early days (well before I caught Holly and Co. at Targ), now hes heavy on a minimalist dancefloor kick. His setup includes some powerful floor lights, so a lot of my picture taking involved shooting a whole lot and hoping he was standing in the right place when the lights flashed on. Here's Cameron!



Cameron jumps about!



Synthetic action!



Gripping action!



And so on!



A very lively night out!

Dress code

I made my usual trip down Bank St. last week for another edition of Switched On Synths at House of Targ. The headliner was Parallels - who I've caught before, with opening sets from techno man pH and the debut of ex-Dead Astronaut Mecha Maiko. First up, pH, creating some fist-pumping techo, sans shirt.



He's an active chap, thus the dozens of blurry photos where he's only half in the frame on my Flickr feed.



Adjusting action!



And so on!



Reaching action!



Mecha Maiko likes her anime, dreamy synth pop and adorable frocks. This was her live debut. Here she is!



Hayley adjusts!



Gripping action!



Vocal action!



Animated action!



The lights were down so low for Parallels' set that I busted out the flash. They played as a duo this time around, with Holly accompanied by another keyboardist.



Keyboard action!



Fingerless gloved action!



Parallel action!



More keyboard!



Always an entertaining night out.