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.

CITY GRRRL.

"I wish I would dye my hair pink
put on black lipstick
no one would give a shit.
Short shorts, short skirts, flower tops, denim shirts
in the big city
nothing hurts, nothing hurts."

CSS - City Grrrl (Ft. SSION)


Love love love this video.
Lovefoxxx hits the streets of New York in badass clothes with pink hair and black lipstick, all the while singing this anthemic song about being liberated in the 'big city.'
Add in some glitter and flashing lights as Lovefoxxx whips her hair throughout outfit changes and dances her way to liberation.

Wild Flag.

Wild Flag
Guests: Drew Grow and the Pastors' Wives
The Biltmore Cabaret
November 12, 2011

DAMN. That was an amazing show.
Seeing Wild Flag live probably will be the best show you could ever attend.

I had been a long time admirer of Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss and their other band together Sleater Kinney. Now, if you have never heard of Sleater Kinney. You should go out, learn about them, listen to them and understand that these talented musicians could teach mainstream music a few lessons.

Now together along with Mary Timony of Helium and Rebecca Cole of The Minders, they form Wild Flag, an American punk supergroup, who're on tour to support their self-titled album. (Which absolutely kicks ass.)

When Wild Flag finally took to the stage I stood mostly in awe that I was able to stand in the same room as these talented musicians. Carrie Brownstein and Mary Timony shared vocals throughout the night. Carrie high-kicked, jumped and shredded on her guitar in heeled ankle boots. All the while the stage and band members were cast in a red, and blue lights. Janet Weiss was phenomenal on drums and Mary and Rebecca all played their role in hair whipping, guitar wailing, and vocals.

They played from their self-titled album in it's entirety (I think). Each song receiving incredibly enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. 'Future Crimes,' 'Electric Band,' 'Boom,' and 'Glass Tambourine' were highlights for me. My favourites from the album.
I'm still in awe of Wild Flag.
The show was the last of their North American Tour, and I think one of the best shows I've been to.

After the show, I high-fived Janet Weiss -- and took home their album.
During the show I reflected momentarily and thought about how incredibly inspiring this band is, to me and possibly to many in the audience. I remember listening to Sleater Kinney in high school and re-inventing new meanings of the songs and applying them to myself.
Wild Flag re-invents, re-establishes, and re-news what inspiring music can be. I wholeheartedly appreciate that.

Jessica 6 @ Fortune Sound

Jessica 6 + Holy Ghost
Fortune Sound
November 8, 2011

Nomi Ruiz is a powerhouse on vocals --- this is what drew me into her music.
I bought a tickets months before just to see Jessica 6 open for Holy Ghost.
Being a college student and having midterms the next day, I went just to see Nomi.
I arrived at 9:30pm to meet up with friends at Fortune Sound, located in the heart of Chinatown.
It was my first time at the club and I was impressed, the velvet red seats, dim and dancing lights and low stage was an ideal place.... (to dance!).
My friends and I stood up front eagerly awaiting Jessica 6 to take the stage.
Once they did, we didn't stop dancing
Nomi dressed in heels, tight skinnies and a cropped boudoir with a red leather jacket, she looked stunning and danced sultrily, exotically and sensually. --- (I was jealous and envious of her.)
It's strange to say and think that -- I had never been the type to envy other women. I suppose Nomi is an exception.
Backed by three talented male musicians she performed songs from her album White Horse while men (and women) lusted and reached their hands out to her.
Her set ended all too soon and I bought her album before leaving. I didn't stick around for Holy Ghost. After Jessica 6, I don't think many bands can match them, but... maybe that's just my opinion.

On the way home I replayed the concert in my mind, and with "White Horse" blasting from my speakers... I remember thinking to myself... "this song was absolutely amazing live."

Amanda Palmer + Neil Gaimen

An Evening with Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman
Guests: The Jane Austen Argument
The Vogue Theatre
November 6, 2011

I walked through the theatre doors at around 8, entering into a shower of delicate melodies and singing. The Jane Austen Argument were playing their set. I didn't know what to expect, but they blew me away.



They closed with a song Neil Gaiman had written, the title of that song escapes me, but it was beautiful. "Holes"?

Sitting at the back of the theatre I watched as the show unfolded, almost immediately after The Jane Austen Argument finished playing, Amanda Palmer walks out onto the stage in a romper type gown/dress stepping on the the dress as she goes. 'It was one of those nights, the step on your dress night.' The show opens with Amanda on ukelele and Neil performing 'Making Whoopee.' Hilarious. Everything suddenly sounds better with an English accent.
I became an admirer of Amanda Palmers music just short of The Dresden Dolls break up and the release of "Who Killed Amanda Palmer." Her unique voice and musicality was different, and so from here developed my month long obsession with her sound. After that album I didn't really keep up with her endeavors, be it 'ninja gigs' or ukelele anthems. I never caught on absolutely.
The only association I ever made with Neil Gaimen was that he wrote "Coraline" and was one of those talented writers with a knack for expressing the human emotion through words in hundreds of ways.

So attending the show with the husband and wife couple, I don't know why I didn't expect so much "lovey dovey bullshit"... although, it was indeed lovely. I suppose I should have anticipated that this show would be about love and all of it's quirks.
It was like we were invited into their home, the set beautifully decorated courtesy of Bard on the Beach.
They each had their time to shine on stage, Neil reading 3 poems and Amanda playing 3 songs, and in between they would interact, unscripted, uninhibited and were absolutely charming. Amanda flashed us her Australian flag imprinted 'knickers' and so the night went on.

Neil read fairytale themed poems 'Formalities' and creepy love-struck stories and hilarious anecdotal recounts of memorable people. It reminded me how much plain language can be just as effective and as melodic as music.
The night included impromptu conversation, Q+A, stories and of course music.

It was a clever, heartfelt and witty night.
An incredibly long night, 3 hours long --- it was exhausting.
An exhausting night made better when Amanda played "Runs in the Family." Brilliant.

I became more appreciative of her work when she began to speak about Occupy Vancouver and the death of Ashlie.


As a college student I think I'm selfish. I can't help it. Being someone who has no secure career (yet) and who is not (yet) financially independent. I find it difficult to become fully invested in movements in my city. I'm unsure how to vocalize my opinions on the protests. I'm unsure if I want to take sides. I'd much rather prefer to drown it all out with music and I think Amanda's will do just fine. (For now.)

For a more detailed review of the show. HERE.

Prisoners of Love.

JESSICA 6 (FT. ANTONY HEGARTY) - PRISONER OF LOVE


So this is kind of amazing.

Jessica 6 in 4 days at Fortune Sound!

Strange Mercy

St. Vincent
Commodore Ballroom
October 12th, 2011
10:30pm

I spent the entire day attempting to study for my two midterms the following day. It was the usual hectic night before an exam for... I'd say most collegersity students.
You know, you feel like there aren't enough hours in a day for you to finish all the work you have to do. You wish that you could function through the night without sleep and still think rationally.
You also think ahead to the countless hours you will eventually spend with your eyes glued to your several textbooks that need to be read.

I decided at 10pm that studying would just have to resume after the St. Vincent show at the Commodore.
Having bought a ticket months before it seemed a waste if I didn't go to see this electrifying performer. I say electrifying because that is exactly what you would have felt if you had stood in the audience that night. Annie Clark and her electric guitar would ultimately lead to goose-bump inducing shredding.
It's a strange feeling walking in at 10:30 just minutes before she would take the stage and feel well at ease when you know that really it would end all too soon.

I'm a casual listener of St. Vincent -- I can't recall most of her songs by title, or sing along to her poetic and twisted lyrics. But I can through all this appreciate her unique approach to her songs, which are ultimately quirky, eclectic and particular.
I was blown away by her glamorous and classy stage presence.... It's odd to say that because Annie stood with an electric guitar and played it aggressively and intentionally. Shredding madness. I was taken aback by it, surprised--- I also was fully immersed into her performance. All of this juxtaposed with her soft and delicate vocals. A strange yet perfect mix of two contrasting sounds that when put together fit imperfectly and just right.

My favourite moment was when she performed "The Party" for the encore, stripped down with no electric guitar. Chilling.

This was the first song of St. Vincent that I remember listening to--
Actor out of Work:

COCOROSIE + AMOEBA

THIS IS THE COCOROSIE IN-STORE PERFORMANCE THAT I'VE BEEN WAITING TO SEE.
THEY PERFORMED ON JUNE 29TH, 2010.
THAT IS APPROXIMATELY 5 DAYS AFTER I SAW THEM PERFORM FOR THE FIRST TIME.
IT WAS LOVE (OBSESSION) AT FIRST.... LISTEN/SIGHT
GREAT WORK AMOEBA MUSIC!
IT ONLY TOOK YOU OVER A YEAR TO EDIT AND POST THIS VIDEO.
HONESTLY THOUGH, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS VIDEO UP.
BECAUSE THIS VIDEO REMINDS ME WHY I ABSOLUTELY ADORE COCOROSIE, AND ALL OF THEIR QUIRKS.
So good.

I'm in a CSS (Cansei De Ser Sexy) phase.

This KCRW session has been on repeat all day.

KCRW CSS - MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC 10.07.11

I Love You
Hits Me Like A Rock
Music is My Hot Hot Sex
City Grrrl
Interview
La Liberación
Red Alert
Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above
You Could Have It All
Move

I just saw MEN perform this weekend. They opened for CSS and well I remember standing in the audience and thinking, that it must be wonderful to play music, tour the world and meet new fans everyday.

I remember thinking that it must be a luxury to travel the world and be in a different city everyday.
I remember wishing that I could perhaps, do that one day.

I never gave much thought into what it actually might be like for those artists and musicians I admire so strongly.

JD Samson wrote this article, and well it made me think of all these things I had never considered.
It made me think that more people need to support live music, and the artists who make that music. Because... well it does matter.