Ottawa Bluesfest 2013: Day 3

Saturday's Bluesfets lineup was quite a deal for fans of indie music. Undisputed college radio heavyweights Belle & Sebastien were the big draw for me. I've been a fan since the days of If You're Feeling Sinister - I actually had my Dad fetch me a copy back from Britain on one of his trips there when it seemed like it was taking forever to be released in North America). You also have Sharon Van Etten making a return trip to the capital, Cold Specks, Fitz & The Tantrums ... everyone delivered, so it was fun in the sun.

My first stop was the River Stage to see Camp Radio romp through a brisk set. No introduction necessary, blah, blah, blah ...


Camp Radio at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6, 2013

With no particular act on my radar, I popped over to see Asutralian guitar phenom Joe Robinson on the Main Stage. He can certainly play; he'll also be on the Black Sheep Stage today.


Joe Robinson at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6, 2013

I also checked out local electronica/hip-hop hybrid NDMA on the aforementioned Black Sheep Stage.

NDMA at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6, 2013

Then off to an act I was looking forward to, Cold Specks. She kicked things off with a solo a capella number that really showcased her fine voice.


Cold Specks at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6, 2013

I paid a brief visit to the River Stage to see a couple of songs from Justin Townes Earle.


Justin Townes Earle at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6, 2013

There was an even briefer stop to check out techno guy Adrian Lux.


Adrian Lux at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6,  2013

Next I went to the Main Stage for a blast from Bluesfests past. Once upon a time sundry world music acts could be found, usually on the Black Sheep Stage. That was where I first saw blind Malian couple Amadou & Mariam play a superb headlining set in 2006. They were back and as entrancing as ever.


Amadou & Mariam at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6, 2013

Then it was over to the Claridge Stage for a fun set from Fitz & The Tantrums of get up and dance pop music. Their Eurythmics cover really took me back.


Fitz & The Tantrums at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6, 2013

Neko Case is one of my favourite performers, and was sounding in excellent form as she bantered with Kelly Hogan and zipped through old favourites and a bunch of tracks from her next album, ending with its first single, Man.


Neko Case at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6, 2013

It's always nice when a band entirely fulfills one's expectations, and Belle & Sebastien did not disappoint. They sounded super, played great songs old and new and filled the space in between with charming chat about bus rides, sunglasses and free houmous.


Belle & Sebastien at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6, 2013

They also had some folks up on stage to dance during their renditions of The Boy With The Arab Strap and Legal Man.


Belle & Sebastien at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6, 2013

Finally it was back again to the River Stage for Sharon Van Etten. She also had a new song or two to show off, including one where she played bass for the first time. It came off pretty well.


Sharon Van Etten at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6, 2013

Sharon rocks the omnichord!


Sharon Van Etten at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 6, 2013
 
 Today isn't quite as stacked; I know I'm going to see The Joy Formidable, and can of course recommend local lights The Steve Adamyk Band and The Fenton Brothers. The rest of the day is quite varied - everything from Wu-Tang to one man bands.

Tramping about

Sharon Van Etten has turned out a trio of fine albums, a bit folky, a bit indie, but really set apart by her pleasantly lived in voice and inward-turned lyrics. She had a good backing band with her as well: Doug Keith, Heather Broderick and Zeke Hutchins gave her sound some backing muscle.

The lady herself, and Doug on the harmonium.



Zeke hits!



Sharon sings!



And so on!



And the wide view.



Unfortunately I couldn't get a good picture of either Heather or Doug. Apparently she's planning to start selling some home-recordings on her website.

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.