Around and around again

So, how long has it been since I made the trip to Irene's? Let's just say that some of my photos from the place, for a show back in July 2011 with The Time Machine Millionaires, B.A. Johnston and The Allrights, have a pillar in them. In the last three years the notorious pillar has been renovated away, but on the few occasions I've made my way there for a show the place has been full. This time around it was merely busy, and since Michael from Tilda was kind enough to put me on the guest list I knew I'd be getting in anyway. On to the show, which was headlined by Orienteers.

Michael strums a bit.



Andrew Long handles bass duties, while Nicholas Dyson plays trumpet.



Michael sings!



Vocal action!



Singalong action! Including a largely obscured Brennan Pilkington of Department of Foreign Affairs fame on drums.



The whole lot! That's Tom Thompson on the left; like Brennan he also performs in Orienteers, making for a convenient double-bill.



Extra Andrew!



More guitar!



Nicholas gets some trumpet time.



On to Orienteers, which in addition to Tom and Brennan features lead man Ben Wilson and Laura Greenberg on bass. Here's Ben, starting things off with a big jump in volume.



More Tom on guitar.



Brennan knocked the cymbal clean off the stand!



Laura handles the low end.



Brennan sings along.



Rhythm section action!



Extra Ben!



Tom works the steel.



More singalong action!



A swell show from all parties.

Due north

Sunday night I headed off to see Groenland and Orienteers at Mavericks. The two outfits made for a nice combination: Atmospheric pop sounds from the local crowd, orchestral tuneage from the Montreal sextet.

It's been almost four years since I last saw Orienteers. In the interim they've acquired a new bass player, Laura Greenberg, whose blurred form can be seen to the left of pedal steelworker Tom Thompson.


Orienteers at Mavericks, July 21, 2013

Ben sings!


Orienteers at Mavericks, July 21, 2013

On to Groenland; who got a great response for a decent-sized crowd. Co-founder Sabrina Halde has an excellent voice.


Groenland at Mavericks, July 21, 2013

Gabrielle Girard-Charest and Fanny C. Laurin provide the orchestral side of the pop equation.


Groenland at Mavericks, July 21, 2013

And here's some singalong action with co-founder Jean-Vivier Levesque and bassist Simon Gosselin.


Groenland at Mavericks, July 21, 2013

They've just wrapped up their Ontario mini-tour, Next stop is Osheaga on August 3.

You're getting warmer

I'm not quite sure how I spent so long not getting out to see a Winchester Warm show, since I quite like Poorfolk (the other band featuring members Matthew Godin and Jonathan Pearce). This is what happens when you have a job where you work the night shift. On this occasion they were opening for Camp Radio.

Unfortunately Club SAW was a little dark and I wasn't using a flash ... here's a darkness-enshrouded Matt.



Jon sings!



Jon strums!



Matt ... aw, screw it, I'm putting the flash on.



That's better, sort of.



Ben Wilson from that's the Spirit was on hand to lend some guitar.



Extra Jon!



Bonus Ben!



And one more of Jon.



There were other photos ... they didn't turn out so well.

• Show reminder: Jordan Klassen and Andy Shauff perform at Zaphod's.

Ectoplasmic encounter

On to the main stage for a brief encounter with That's The Spirit. Last time I saw Ben and Co. was when he performed with Tom Thompson and Brennan Pilkington as Orienteers at Zaphod's. Small rooms are the usual state of affairs with his projects so seeing him on the main stage at Bluesfest was a bit of a mental dislocation. Good thing he's expanded his lineup from the early solo days to help fill it up.

Here's one, steel player Thompson.



Drummer Brennan.



Trumpeter Nicholas Dyson.



Ben sings!



The whole lot, and The Flaming Lips' mysterious backdrop.



Tom rocks the Crestwood.



Bass action with Polytone George Jennings!



Spirited action!



Ben rocks the Telecaster!



Brennan shakes it.



Then I toodled off to watch Michael Jerome Brown.

• Show reminder: It's a wonderful night to be in the earplug business, with Against Me!, The Flatliners, Young Livers at the Bronson Centre Theatre and Nachtmystium, Zoroaster, Dark Castle and The Atlas Moth at Mavericks; Kevin Bartman is at the Rainbow.

Ghost power

Ben Wilson wrapped up his label's first anniversary show with a performance of his own band That's The Spirit, operating at full strength.

Ben!



Noted steel player about town Tom Thompson.



Trumpeter Nicholas Dyson and bassist Simon Wright (also of The Village Bicycles) get the bounced flash treatment.



Department of Foreign Affairs man Brennan Pilkington.



Tom takes a turn on the keys.



And so on!





Big rocking finish!





Right now Ben's off in Scotland (he played in Glasgow last night and will be in Edinburgh on Thursday). A couple of dates in England and Ireland, then it's back to Canada to open for Apostle of Hustle at Zaphod's on May 23.

• Show reminder: Static Thought, The Valveenus and Sack Lunch rock Mavericks; Rosebush! and Ad·ver·sary perform at Zaphod's; The Liptonians, The Wind Up Radio Sessions and Henrietta are at the Elmdale Tavern.