GOSSIP. Knows Best.

Gossip
Guests: Magic Mouth, Bonnie Montgomery
The Showbox Theatre
Seattle
October 9th, 2012

This is long overdue, apologies.

My friend Dan and I drove down from Vancouver to see GOSSIP.
I was obsessed with "Standing in the Way of Control" in High School and would dance to "Listen Up" in my room alone. I remember watching their video for that song and wanting to join in on the dance party.

We arrived at The Showbox while the opener was playing. Beth Montgomery a unique folk-blues band accompanied by Nathan Howdeshell on guitar. That was particularly exciting for me. I had placed Hannah Blilie, Nathan Howdeshell and Beth Ditto on gloriously unreachable platforms and regarded them as leaders in developing my sense of interests. I looked to Gossip to solve by teen angst and guide my liberal beliefs. Beth joined the band to sing a song and my inner high school love of Gossip exploded. I wanted to reach them with my love as much as they have reached me with their music.
The second opener was Magic Mouth and they were phenomenal. They are a funk-driven blues-inspired band with a fierce combination of uniqueness, nerve and talent. I danced my socks off to them.

I had noticed almost immediately that the crowd was strange. It was an all ages show and I wasn't used to being around so many young people at a show.
While the opener was playing we went and got drinks. Out of the corner of my eye at the bar, I saw Hannah Blilie with her girlfriend enjoying the show. It was a really exciting moment for me to see someone I had obsessively admired just a few feet from me. It was memorable and really set up the night to be a great one.

Once Gossip entered the stage the audience erupted with cheers
I loved the show with all of my nostalgia.
Beth's bluesy and strong voice, Hannah's persistent and driven drum kicks, Nathan's signature guitar solos and Nick's blues driven bass lines all filled the room with an enormous sound.
Beth was animated and hilariously interactive. Nathan was shy and focused on his playing. I had my eyes glued on Hannah most of the time because I had developed a slight fascination with the handsome drummer.

Men in Love drove the audience wild. I sang along to every word and rejoiced in the celebration of love. Yr Mangled Heart is a classic favourite and sent the audience into disarray. We were a fury of excited happy energy and pettiness apparently. Just arms reach away from me two audience members were in an argument after one of them tried to push past the other. Some people do not understand concert etiquette. The way you maneuver yourself from the back of the audience to the front of stage is a strategic art form. You do it as you dance. This argument turned into a physical fight that involved hair pulling, nail clawing and saliva spitting. The end result was a massive sway in energy and furious pushing.

That aside, the two girls who stood beside me did just that for the entire concert. They stood. They didn't dance, neither did they seem very happy nor excited that Gossip were just a few feet from them. I didn't like this type of energy at all. It drained me and effected how I wanted to dance to Gossip. Regardless of others peoples questionable concert etiquette I danced to my whole-hearts content.

They played Standing in the Way of Control, Heavy Cross and a Tina Turner Cover "What's Love Got To Do With It" = Memorable.

I loved this show and will always think back to this trip to Seattle with my best friend.

I wish though that the sound was louder, that the audience was wilder and that Gossip would emit the same punk angst energy that they did on their earlier records.

Nonetheless, I was not disappointed. This show will be one the memorable ones of 2012.

Gossip - I Wanna Be Your Dog

Gossip - I Wanna Be Your Dog

GOSSIP : I wanna be your dog - MYTARATATA.COM
TARATATA N°329 (Tour. le 10/09/09 / Diff. France 4 le 18/11/09 & France 2 le 20/11/09)

This Iggy Pop cover by Gossip is an amazing burst of punk rock energy and uninhibited actions.
Love this so much.

Cat Power @ Vogue Theatre

Cat Power
Vogue Theatre
Guests: Entrance
November 2nd, 2012

The crowd was buzzing with excitement.
Incense, candles, tarot cards and flowers littered the stage around Chan Marshall's microphone. It set the stage for the memorable night.

As smoke began to fill the stage, Cat Power finally set foot into the historic Vogue Theatre around 10:45pm and everyone showed their excitement. I couldn't believe that she was standing right there in front of me. This beautiful talented musician that I had always admired. I was fearful that she would cancel the tour after she had stated that she was dealing with health issues and was almost bankrupt!
I wanted to support her with all my might.

Cat Power was accompanied by 3 female musicians and a male multi- instrumentalist. The female musicians exuded an energy that grounded the audience. They were all clad in black and this set the stark contrast between stage lights and performers. They shredded on guitar, kept rhythm on percussion and added depth of sound with bass/keys and vocals.

From the moment Chan set foot on stage a smile crept onto my face and stayed there for the entire show. I had, unbeknownst to me, become really emotional. I had never cried at a show before but I was close to it. If an artist can garner that type of reaction from me, her music of course has been very influential in my life. This reaction to seeing her was strange, for me at least its uncommon to be this emotional. I suppose my body reacts to what the mind delays. Relief. Happiness. Maybe even disbelief. 

Chan Marshall had a bleached blond androgynous hair cut. I missed her gorgeous straight bangs and long hair but this new look really allowed her to transform. She squirmed and twisted her body while she sang strained lyrics into her microphone. She was sick that night and would cough away from the microphone and wouldn't miss a lyric. Dedication.

She pulled awkwardly at her black jeans and stood near the edge of the stage while performing. Making her way from one side of the stage to the other she claimed her space and it spoke to us, she spoke to us. She made sure that her eyes locked with each and every one of us. Pulling us in closer and engaging us-- we were all accountable -- we were not just shadows in the crowd. We were part of the show.

One of my favourite moments was during her song "Bully" the stage lights dimmed and the spotlight focused on her. Her band-mates were in shadows and she poured her hurt all over us.
This performance was chill and goose-bump inducing. I remember closing my eyes and rolling my head back. It made sense to pause and just listen.

Not all moments can be perfect though, during this intimate moment two people in the front row decided to bicker, this caught Chan's attention and her quick words of"It's terribly rude to talk [during the song]" shut them up. Good thing too, because not long afterwards an audience member fainted and had to be carried out, but not before Chan handed her a water bottle and called for security help.

I appreciated this-- as a fan of music you hope that the musicians that you admire are people with a conscious and have heart. Chan Marshal has all of this and more.

She played several songs from her new album 'Sun' and some classics. She re-worked most of her older songs and you had to really listen to recognize them. She opened with a re-worked version of "The Greatest" and followed with an incredible set list. One of the songs that received the loudest cheers were "Cherokee"as well as when she ended with 'Ruin', notably her strongest song off of her new record. She threw flowers into the audience at the end and we all reached our eager hands up to grasp some essence of her.
Cat Power didn't give an encore although most of us stayed after the lights came up and continued to clap. We were hoping that maybe they would indulge us with one more song. They understandably, didn't.

I left the show loving her more than I would have thought. She found time between songs to sign albums and posters from audience members. She graciously accepted gifts from the audience: gloves, letters and flowers. Giving away set lists and blowing kisses. I haven't seen many artists sign albums during the show before and seeing this warmed my heart.
I'm not sure why... maybe because it means that we in some small way matter to her and she needs us just as much as we need her.

Set list:
The Greatest
Cherokee
Silent Machine
Manhattan
Human Being
Kings Ride By
Sun
Bully
Angelitos Negros (Pedro Infante Cover)
Always On My Own
Back In the Days
3, 6, 9
Nothing But Time
I Don't Blame You
Peace and Love
Ruin

Cherokee - Cat Power

Laura Marling

Laura Marling
Commodore Ballroom
June 27th, 2012
Doors 8 / Willy Mason 9:30 / Laura Marling 10:30

In the hours leading up to Laura Marlings' show, I tried to eat a proper meal but didn't have any appetite; I was too excited to finally see her headline a show. The Commodore Ballroom is a suitable venue for her droning and melodic folk tunes and acoustic songs.
I arrived just past 9pm and noticed that the floor was nearly empty. I walked straight to the front of the stage and planted my feet just a couple feet from where Laura would shortly be. I met a few fans who came down from Yellowknife and the Island just to see the show. That shows dedication, and well they respectively deserved their positions at the front of the stage.
Laura Marling looked lovely in her vintage red and white floral dress and white sneakers. She perched herself on her stool and launched into her first song. The audience was rowdy with excitement but was quickly hushed to a pin-drop silence with Laura Marling's mesmerizing voice. She admitted to being bad at banter and well we of course helped her out. The audience was rowdy and "lively, for a Laura Marling concert." She was delightfully and surprisingly awkward and coy for such a talented artist with a gift for storytelling through songwriting.
She was accompanied by four other musicians, a multi-instrumentalist / percussionist, a pianist and guitarist, a celloist and upright bassist filled out the stage.

Midway though the set everyone left the stage and Laura played several songs unaccompanied. These were my favourite moments of the entire show. It shows her talent and blatant skill in songwriting. Just brilliant.

Favourite moments include Laura Marling introducing her band mates and stating that each one had prepared an interesting fact that they would share to make up for their lack of banter, it was hilarious.
A memorable moment for me was her performance of "What He Wrote" from her 2010 release 'I Speak Because I Can.' Her music has always been something that has been able to turn my stomach into knots and at the same time, lull me to sleep.

Laura Marling - Hope In The Air at The Commodore Ballroom

Tearz For Animals.

Antony Hegarty’s voice has the ability to quieten any room it touches. This collaboration with eclectic sister act CocoRosie works so well in its majestic, yet ethereal quality.



"Do you have love for humankind?"

We Are On Fire

CocoRosie - We Are On Fire


I don't know how I feel about this song just yet.
It has to grow on me and who knows, it might end up being a favourite.

Laura Marling.

Andrew Bird with Laura Marling
Vogue Theatre
April 10, 2012

I bought a ticket to this show specifically because I saw that Laura Marling was opening for Andrew Bird. I don't particularly love Andrew Bird's music, although I do appreciate it.

Laura Marling's 30 minute set made the whole show worth the while.
Standing centre stage with her acoustic guitar, she graced us with her awkward stage banter; but delighted us with her incredibly soulful and haunting songs.
I had been waiting a long time to see her live.
She played a personal favourite "Rambling Man" off of her 2010 release "I Speak Because I Can" after an enthusiastic fan requested it. 

This is another one of my favourites. "Hope In The Air"


Andrew Bird was nothing short of entertaining.
I wasn't familiar with his work and I saw why many would be drawn to his sound.
I wasn't particularly invested in this show... I suppose you could say Laura Marling stole the show.
For me anyway.

Alabama Shakes

Alabama Shakes + Quiet Life
Media Club
January 29th, 2012

Soul vocals, blues rock, amazing ambiance, receptive audience.
Did I mention soul vocals?

Rockabilly sounds that should be mandatory for everyone.
It's educative. It cleanses the soul.

I was blown away by their performance and the sold out crowd showed their appreciation for the blues band.

Deaf From Above 1979

Death From Above 1979
Commodore Ballroom
November 21, 2011

Sebastien Grainger and Jesse F. Keeler make up DFA 1979, a notorious Canadian dance/punk, noise rock duo. They disbanded in 2006 but reunited for a long awaited North American tour. Selling out two shows at The Commodore Ballroom, the excitement in the venue was pulsating.
Distorted bass, reverberating synths, clashing drums and screaming vocals together created a huge wall of deafening sound.
This was by far the loudest show I had ever been to. It added to the incredible anticipation of seeing them for the first time.
They came onto stage and blew through their set playing audience favourites.
The crowd exploded into a frenzy and danced, pushed and shoved to the sounds of DFA 1979.
It was a memorable show, if anything, my ears still resonate their sound after all these weeks.

Grimes + Myths @ Electric Owl

Grimes
Guest: MYTHS
Electric Owl
November 17th, 2011
Show 9:45 - 11:45pm

The hype about the opening act hadn't prepared me for what I was about to witness. Myths are comprised of two Vancouver-born female vocalists -- and the night began when the curtains were drawn back to show the two mysterious and taunting performers draped in DIY white dresses, which were splattered with florescent paint.

With their siren-like vocals they screamed white noise into their reverberating microphones with static-like and electronic backing instrumentals and moved like incredibly twisted swans. They electrified the audience and sent some of us into spastic dance. Their sound is unique and eclectic. It takes a particular type of music listener to be drawn into their experimental world, but it isn't hard to appreciate the intentional drift from the familiar song structures of verse and chorus. Disregarding some technical difficulties the show continued onwards with their interchanging war cries and vocal sounds.
Throughout the set their singing and uninhibited interpretive dance became enthralling and they slowly but surely cast their spell on all of us.

MYTHS - Prism Portraits


GRIMES finally graced the stage with her adorable presence at around 11 and here began the night we've all been waiting for. Her contagious ethereal sounds, childlike and quirky voice was what drew us all in. Dressed to set the mood, she donned a lime green leopard patterned robe which countered her all black ensemble and combat boots. Upon drawing back the curtains herself she introduced her personal interpretative dancer Jeff (?) (a well dressed hipster) who slowly but surely worked up a sweat bending and twisting his body into contorted shapes along with the sounds of Grimes, -- he danced with such intensity that his eyes could have bore holes into you.

Oblivion, Genesis and Vanessa threw the audience into a fury of dance. Body rolling, feet shuffling, hand raving and head bopping all carried the night along. Between songs she informed us it was her second time headlining her own show (after opening for the likes of Lykke Li and Austra) and so her set was short and a little disorganized but she would try to play one more song until the night would eventually end. Closing the set with a new song Claire Boucher performed with excited enthusiasm and wrapped up her 45 minute set.

What added to the show were the female (and male) audience members dancing onstage alongside Grimes, it was like we were invited to special house party. The show would have ended on a high note if it wasn't for one particularly drunk girl who felt the need to take the microphone and share that someone she knew had overdosed on Oxycontin just a year ago. It was not a good time for her sentiments, it was an awkward nightmare -- one where you just couldn't tear your eyes away from.

Disregarding this, Grimes ultimately stole the show with her eerie sounding vocals, who also kicked off her shoes early on in the set which pissed her off and unraveled her pinned braided pigtails. We all let our hair down and danced until all we saw were the blur of stage lights and heard nothing but the music of Grimes echoing in our ears.

** If you missed this show, don't worry, Grimes now calls Vancouver home and is scheduled to play at Fortune Sound on February 19th of next year.

Grimes
Get More:
Grimes, MTV Hive
Link

Lost in a Genesis.

Austra - Lose It


I thought the album recording of 'Lose It' was phenomenal.
I didn't expect Katie Stelmanis to sound this good live.
It makes me want to see them at Electric Owl this Wednesday Nov, 16th.
But it's SOLD OUT, and a little birdie told me that they will absolutely be touring again next year at a bigger venue.
I also hear that that there are assholes reselling Austra tickets on Craigslist for $70. (It's a shame the ticket will go to waste.)
Decisions, decisions.
------------------

On the other hand though, I did buy a ticket to Grimes for her show on the 17th at Electric Owl.
Maybe seeing Claire Boucher live will make up for perhaps missing Austra's show.

Grimes - Genesis


I read in recent concert reviews that Grimes had opened for Austra in Portland
That concert sounds divine and well... I think that should happen in Vancouver. Now.