Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Matt and Kim - A Pocket Full of Sunshine

Photo Credit DerAustinson's Flickr
Matt and Kim
Rickshaw Theatre
September 27, 2010 - 9:30
The So So Glos

How do I begin to describe this...?
Remember my post way back about Matt and Kim, where I wrote that I thought they were the most fun sounding pop-punk band around? And how they make me want to dance and smile at the same time? Well all of those things are true and I was fortunate enough to attend their show here in Vancouver at the Rickshaw Theatre.

It was Amazing. I can't describe it as anything else. It is by far the most fun, energetic, HOT, musically on point show I have ever been to. Matt and Kim came on after 10:00pm(?) and began their set. Their stage design consisted of some sort of multiple square electronic screens arranged in a triangle... The lights and colours set a fun and energetic mood for show. I am horrible at remembering setlists, but lets just say they began and didn't stop until just before midnight. They played fan favourites, and then some.

Their equipment was set up so close together, so snug. They really work off of each others energy, they were giving it all they have and we were soaking it up and giving back just as much energy. Our sweat, shout and cheers.

One moment I'll remember is when they began playing "Better Off Alone" by Alice Deejay... it's a Classic 90's dance song, we all danced, screamed, cheered. We all reacted as one collected unit, we all felt something. In that moment in time we all were present. Kim jumped onto her bass kit and sang, egging us on. I screamed the lyrics along with her. She has so much energy and looks like she has so much fun on stage. I couldn't stop grinning, it's contagious.

The crowd was so enthusiastic, there were several crowd surfers.. one audience member decided it would be a brilliant idea to stage dive into the audience. He did it twice, from the stage. Entertaining as ever.

At one point in the show, Kim threw balloons out into the audience, we blew them up and tossed them about. It's a party after all, balloons are a necessity, essential in making a good show. We tossed them about. Kim came out to the audience between one of their songs, the audience grabbed her feet and she proceeded to do a booty dance. This is why I love her.

I had no idea it was Matt and Kim's second time in Vancouver. I am so glad I was there today. My ears are still ringing, my body must have lost a good chunk of water weight. I haven't been in an environment that humid, that lacking of air for a while. I think this show trumps CocoRosie's show at the Vogue Theatre in June. There was much more body movement, feet shuffling, leg jumping, arm pumping, head rocking at the Matt and Kim show. Brilliant.

They played Daylight as the encore and last song. Epic.

After this they, Matt and Kim, jumped into the audience hugging anyone with open arms, while hip hop songs played over the speakers (Empire State of Mind - Jay Z, Forever Young.... and so on). They are amazing musicians, amazing people with amazing hearts. They appreciate their fans and it means the world to me, as a fan to see that. You attend so many shows where the musicians escape into a back room after the show. They slip through a side door and would Never reach out to a fan this way. But Matt and Kim do.

Come on now... what is there not to love about Matt and Kim. There are SO many reasons to attend their show. One, because you had to be there to know just how good the show really was.

I was smiling from ear to ear and still am.
I'll be thinking of my favourite moments in this show for a long time to come.
And of course wearing their t-shirt until they come around again.

Matt and Kim @ Rickshaw Theatre Flickr Set


Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay


Matt and Kim - Daylgiht

Sunday, September 26, 2010

First Listen

Listen to Sufjan Stevens: The Age of Adz before its release on October 12th.

Something To Look For.

Antony and the Johnsons new record will be out October 12th, SWANLIGHTS.
Tracklisting:
1. Everything Is New
2. The Great White Ocean
3. Ghost
4. I'm In Love
5. Violetta
6. Swanlights
7. The Spirit Was Gone
8. Thank You For Your Love
9. Fietta (a duet with Bjork)
10. Salt Silver Oxygen
11. Christina's Farm

The Special Edition "Swanlights" will include the CD inside a 144 page hardcover book containing Antony's paintings, and artwork... I really want this.

He also released a five-track EP "Thank You For Your Love," I picked it up a few weeks ago, it's gorgeous and I am so excited to hear his full-length in October.
1. Thank You For Your Love
2. You Are The Treasure
3. My Lord The Love
4. Pressing On
5. Imagine

What is also so gorgeous about this EP is that it features photographs of Antony when he first arrived in New York as a teenager in the early 90's.

Thank You For Your Love - Antony and the Johnsons (This video contains footage that Antony shot when he arrived in New York City in the 90's)


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CocoRosie played a Daytrotter Sessions in August and it has become one of my favourites. So beautiful and strange, yet wonderful and magical. Their contrasting voices melt perfectly together and their eclectic instrumentation creates a musical world unlike any other. I think they are Brilliant. I hope you will too.
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The Moon Asked the Crow
Fatherhood (Unreleased)
R.I.P Burn Face
Lemonade
Fairy Paradise -- (So Good)
DAYTROTTER

I have talked about CocoRosie endlessly to anyone who would listen to me rave about their music. I think this session is perfect in introducing new listeners to their music. At the core, it's really their music that makes them so unique... or maybe it is who they are as artists, performers, musicians and fairy hunters. I find their entire persona, character, music so interesting and inspiring. If I were brave I would assemble myself to be somewhat outrageous. Whether it be through clothing attire or make-up, speech or expression. I think CocoRosie have in their own way perfected that for themselves.
Until then I can only feign courage by wearing something like this.

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Carrie Brownstein's new band WILD FLAG.
Along with former Sleater Kinney drummer Janet Weiss, Mary Timony, and Rebecca Cole. We can expect an album out early next year.
Facebook them HERE

Also, to prepare ourselves for Wild Flag I suggest you go NPR.ORG and listen to the live Sleater Kinney concert, they performed at the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C, this was recorded on August 3rd of 2006.
They played for nearly 2 hours... I can only wish that I could have been there. Listening to it now, I can only describe it as epically dirty. Which means it's something everyone should have a listen to. Close your eyes... and have your own little air guitar-drumming session right there in your bedroom. Go Ahead.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Remember When We Were Teenagers?

Tegan and Sara
Malkin Bowl
September 24th, 2010
You Say Party, Christopher Smith

It's my 6th maybe 7th? time attending a Tegan and Sara show. I think having seen so many times... has kind of dulled out the actual live experience for me.

But nonetheless, they are what remind me of my high school memories, as cheesy as it sounds, after a conversation with a few friends who were also in attendance at the show we all concluded that they really had a part in our teen years. I feel old.
And after seeing them live so many times... its hard to be surprised by their songs. It's their banter that keeps us coming back.
I have blogged extensively about Tegan and Sara, be it about shows I've seen or how their records make me feel.... So I think this entry will be a little different, a little more indirect and obscure... expect tangents and going off topic.

I feel obligated to attend their show, in support of their music and also who they are. It's just what you do when you owe someone your teenage sanity, I suppose. I could potentially go into detail about their setlist and performance... but you can read a review from the Vancouver Sun HERE.

Walking into the venue we were just in time to catch You Say Party's set. I have been a fan of theirs for a while now and seeing them perform again (the last time was opening for Phoenix) was a pleasure. I loved their energy and stage presence, Becky was adorable and her vocals were brilliant. So Good. I recommend a listen. Go Here

When Tegan and Sara came onstage I got that feeling... the one you get when you know you know you're going to see something good... something you may want to remember. They started the set off with acoustic songs, Call it Off. Interesting. It gets better. I haven't been to a standing show of theirs for a long time and I forgot how enthusiastic the crowd is, not physically excited.... just vocally. In all of their acoustically driven songs, their vocals were almost indistinguishable from the sing along accompaniment of the audience around me. Mostly younger teens and first time fans. It was adorable.
I had a moment where I thought to myself.. was I ever that fan? Was I ever so excited that I sang so loud I couldn't even hear my own voice afterward? It made me smile and all the while this was happening inside my brain Tegan and Sara continued through their setlist. I felt as if I knew what to expect as each song was played I had somehow trained myself in the weeks, months, and years I had conditioned my ears to recognize and memorize song lyrics off of The Con and So Jealous and If It Was You and so on. I mouthed and bopped my head along to the songs almost as if I was expectantly waiting for the next verse, chorus, bridge...
In truth I hadn't listen to a Tegan and Sara song in a few months... but the lyrics all came back to me, as if I had never removed them from my iPod.

The things I will remember from tonight:
- The audience - Their uninhibited attitude made me enjoy the show more. Don't get so uptight.
- Banter: Ghost - Demi Moore Haircut - Justin Beiber Associations - Swinging a jacket open to acknowledge a breast to prove non Transman status - Teen Audiences - Eye Contact - That's What She Said - The South America Turtle being High Maintenance - Being Happily Single
- Encore of Divided - One of my first favourites.

I found this setlist of the show.

Call It Off
Dark Come Soon
I Know I Know I Know
The Ocean
Like O Like H
Feel It In My Bones
___ (Full Band from here on!)
Living Room
I Bet It Stung
The Con
Walking With Ghost
So Jealous
Nineteen
Hell
Northshore
On Directing
Alligator
Back in Your Head
Where Does the Good Go
Speak Slow
Sentimental Tune
Hop A Place
You Wouldn't Like Me
Encore: Divided

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Dance in the Rain

I have never danced in the rain.
I'm a bit of a hypochondriac, I always think I might end up with pneumonia.
Today I danced in the rain, and I loved it.

Scissor Sisters
Malkin Bowl
Outdoors
September 16, 2010
Lights and music and dance and sounds

The moment I walked into the venue with a friend we found shelter underneath the trees away from the rain. We recoiled from it, like it was a bad, bad smell. We worried about our clothes and especially our hair. We just could Not, get our hair wet. Why? Because when wet it impairs us... Let me elaborate, we both wear rimmed glasses... not only are we visually impaired enough, add a lot of blurry rain drops and now it looks like we're looking through a blurry spyglass, we see shapes and lights blurred together... sounds trippy doesn't it? Not when we're trying to catch glimpses of the members of SCISSOR SISTERS.
Jake Shears, Ana Matronic, Babydaddy and Del Marquis. They were all fabulous.

When Scissor Sisters took the stage at around 8:30 after their two openers, Sammy Jo and Casey Spooner, I quickly became soaking wet and was consistently blinded and impaired by both my hair and my misted glasses. Nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I shuffled my feet, moved my body and kind of - danced.
I had an amazing time dancing to their songs off of their newest album Night Work, Ta Dah and their Self-Titled.
The setlist included (In no particular order) Night Work, Any Which Way, Skin Tight, Fire With Fire, Something Like This, Skin This Cat, Nightlife, Invisible Light (all from Night Work) I Don't Feel Like Dancing, She's My Man, Kiss You Off (From Ta-Dah) Take Your Mama Out, Comfortable Numb and Filthy/Gorgeous.

The sound at Malkin Bowl was amazing, the lights and lasers really added to the atmosphere of the show. Despite the rain I kept myself warm by dancing. Jake Shears and Ana Matronic worked the stage like no other, they are true performers and Jake braved the cold rain topless for a few songs before deciding that its better to be practical than fashionable and donned a black raincoat... this although did not hide his leather leotard-type outfit he had on. I was impressed by their live vocals and was smiling from ear to ear most of the time. I love their pop-disco-dance music and hearing their songs live really made me adore them even more!

One of the best moments of the night: When Ana Matronic took off her heels and put on her "running shoes" lower heels. Brilliant.
Another highlight also included: Ana Matronic announcing that the Malkin Bowl had a serious design flaw, (the stage not being covered from the rain). Hilarious.
Also: Filthy/Gorgeous deserves a mention. It was the first song I heard from the Scissor Sisters. I immediately became hooked. Their vocals are infectious and it was almost intoxicating. Confetti, glitter and lasers galore.

Until they return to Vancouver for an (Indoor) show, I will think back fondly of their show tonight. Walking home wet, cold and shivering was absolutely worth it.
My ears are still ringing.

Wow. Check out the photos from the show here. Amazing!

Friday, September 10, 2010

It's Quiet Company: Spiders

Who: The National
Venue: Malkin Bowl
When: Sept 10, 2010

So walking into Malkin Bowl I made my way to the merchandise table. Let's say I like to keep something to remember the shows I've seen. The last two shows that I've been lucky enough attend didn't sell artist merchandise, CocoRosie and Joanna Newsom, which was a disappointment. I vowed to make stenciled shirts instead. That project probably won't happen too soon.
In any case, The National sold about 6 different designed t-shirts, a beach towel(It was tempting), vinyls, albums, tote bags, I enjoyed their selections but settled for one tee.

The Walkmen opened the show and was already playing when I arrived. They were mid-set and really reminded me of The National... hm. The same pant-suit outfit, the same sing-scream lyrics... They set a mood which kept us eager for The National to take stage.

The National took to the stage at approximately 8:30, opening with "Anyone's Ghost," Phenomenal. They played songs from Boxer, Alligator and High Violet. We all shuffled our feet, bobbed our heads, moved our arms; with our hands deep in our pockets. The outdoors venue was an interesting setting. All of us had jackets, scarves and toques on. The open space created a sort of unpleasant echo and ring that went off a few times during songs. The songs seemed to keep us warm... well for me at least. Watching Matt Berninger from the audience was brilliant. He's an artist, and somewhat awkward performer that really made us all appreciate the musicality between band members. Berninger stood on stage wringing his hands, punching the air, bending over and squirming between and during songs as if to release some sort of inner demon. It was divine, his mannerisms, I was intrigued and also taken.
My body was shaken by his deep echoing voice, I got chills.
The set included Terrible Love, Slow Show, Fake Empire, All the Wine, Secret Meeting...
In the encore they played Lemonworld, as well as Mr. November. It was a perfect way to spend my Friday.

The highlight for me:
Squalor Victoria: The last couple minutes always leave me with chills, the song builds into a great climax. Loved it.
Fact of the night: Matt also goes by "Dick Jagger" and "Panic Room."

Apologies for the fragmented thoughts. My mind is exhausted.

It's "Music Friday"...

CocoRosie - R.I.P Burn Face