Recording: Stranger Still

Artist: Stranger Still

Song: Days End [based on a poem by Alden Nowlan]

Recorded at The Sun Room, 918 Bathurst, April 13, 2025.

Stranger Still - Days End

With a new set of Alden Nowlan poems set to music ready to be taken into the studio, Pete Johnston and company worked through the arrangements over a couple sets in the properly-sunny Sun Room, evoking East Coast feelings of bone-weary dread, gossip about the neighbours, the weight of the Great War, and various sentiments encountered while walking down various roads.

You can check out some more from this set over on youtube:

Monday Roundup #226

Contest reminder (+ festival reminder!):

• Just a quick reminder that you have one last day to get your name in to win a pair of tickets to What Is: Rebound, on Friday night. Curated by Tad Michalak, the show is East End United Church’s sunken basketball court and presenting a night of avant-percussion from Sarah Hennies and Tristan Kasten-Krause plus the Imaginary Percussion Ensemble. Draw is tomorrow (Tuesday the 13th) at noon! Go here to enter! And check out all the programming (on- and off-site) that the MG has as past of the Festival Tuesday to Saturday!

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Concert announcements:

Jim Lewis Quartet [Jim Lewis/Harley Card/Dan Fortin/Ethan Ardelli] / The Rex 2025-05-20 (Tuesday – 5:30 p.m.). $10. [more info]

Blunt Object [Jay Hay/Ben Dietschi/Gordon Hyland/Jesse Malone/Teppei Kamei/Heather Saumer/Robin Jessome/Josh Bird/Tania Gill/Victor Batemen/Eric West] / The Rex 2025-05-24 (Saturday – 2 p.m.). $10/$15. [FB event]

Retrievals: New Music for Old Tech ["new works for violin and electronics by Tsz Long Yu and James Lowrie alongside Alvin Lucier's "Clocker". Expect 90s living room vibes, static, street lights indoors, an ice-fishing camera shaped like a fish, and very much more."] (feat. Arlan Vriens / Tim Roth) / Canadian Music Centre 2025-05-24 (Saturday). $free. [FB event]

More Noise Please Presents: An Evening of Relentless Noise (feat. Worth / Pain Appendix / Taskmaster / Jute / Toanche Dwelling) / The No No Room at The Dock Ellis 2025-05-24 (Saturday). $15/pwyc. [FB event]

Sympathetic String Band's Last Sundays Residency (feat. The Sympathetic String Band / Alex Lukashevsky / JOYSHAPE) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-05-25 (Sunday – early) [FB event]

Jim Lewis Quartet [Jim Lewis/Harley Card/Dan Fortin/Ethan Ardelli] / The Rex 2025-05-27 (Tuesday – 5:30 p.m.). $10. [more info]

In The Round (feat. Char Aragoza / Casey Mecija / Louie Sanchez) / Burdock Music Hall 2025-05-27 (Tuesday). $16.95, all-ages. [tickets + more info]

Exit Points #60 (feat. Benson Lee/Stella Turcica/Adam Tindale/Stephanie Chua/Katherine Semchuk / Chibuzr/Dafydd Hughes/amielangonline/Lance Keizer/Michael Palumbo / Switchemups) / Array Space 2025-05-30 (Friday). $15 Early Bird/$20 Advanced/$25 General Admission. [FB event]

Do West Fest (feat. ZONES / Noble Rot / Edmund Stay / Art D’ecco) / Transmit Stage 2025-06-06 (Friday). $free, outdoors, family-friendly. [more info]

Do West Fest (feat. Macaroni Birthday / Heaven For Real / Tijuana Bibles / Jay Feelbender / Orbital Ensemble / The Royal Family / Sam Jr. / Shiv & The Carvers / Prostitute / Fucked Up) / Transmit Stage 2025-06-07 (Saturday). $free, outdoors, family-friendly. [more info]

Do West Fest (feat. Huxlii / Twist / Dumb Crush / Fanclubwallet / cootie catcher / PONY) / Transmit Stage 2025-06-08 (Sunday). $free, outdoors, family-friendly. [more info]

Jessica Ackerley / Sellers & Newel 2025-06-18 (Wednesday). $20. [FB event]

Open Thread [Peggy Lee/Julien Wilson/Theo Carbo/Dylan van der Schyff] / Sellers & Newel 2025-06-19 (Thursday). $20. [FB event]

Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!

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Shows this week:

Toronto Electronic Music Open Mic (feat. Timothy 1105 / Chin Beats / Giant Floating Head / Tyrek / Ben Green / Alissa Vox Raw / Inchoate / naw / Puppies in Submarines / Extinction on Schedule / Samuel Lozano / Gruve Collective) / Handlebar 2025-05-12 (Monday) [more info]

Jim Lewis Quartet [Jim Lewis/Harley Card/Dan Fortin/Ethan Ardelli] / The Rex 2025-05-13 (Tuesday – 5:30 p.m.). $10. [more info]

The Music Gallery presents What Is: heart(break) – 1:11 moonwatching (feat. Jenna Geen & Zoma / Aidan McConnell / Gary Kirkham) / The Music Gallery 2025-05-13 (Tuesday). $10 [MG members], PWYC $15/$20/$25; $45 fest pass [MG members], $70 fest pass [non-MG members], all-ages. [more info]

May Residency (feat. Roy) / The Cameron House 2025-05-14 (Wednesday – 6 p.m.) [more info]

Brodie West Double Basses Quintet [Brodie West/Rob Clutton/Josh Cole/Patrick O'Reilly/Aidan McConnell] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-14 (Wednesday – early)

The Music Gallery presents What Is: heart(break) – Resurrection (feat. 8ULENTINA / Patrick Perez / Hagop Ohannessian) / Standard Time 2025-05-14 (Wednesday). $10 [MG members], PWYC $15/$20/$25; $45 fest pass [MG members], $70 fest pass [non-MG members], all-ages. [more info]

Ministry of Phonic Services presents (feat. Nikki Huang / Colby Richardson / Bag) / "a playground somewhere in Toronto" 2025-05-14 (Wednesday). $pwyc. [more info]

Ladyfinger [Diane Roblin & Kayla Milmine] / Sellers and Newel 2025-05-14 (Wednesday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]

Never Was [Brandon Davis/Bea Labikova/Racha Moukalled/Patrick O'Reilly/Adrian Russouw/Joe Sorbara] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-14 (Wednesday). [more info]

Ronley Teper’s Lipliners [Ronley Teper/Tim Posgate/Dafydd Hughes] / The Rex 2025-05-15 (Thursday – 5:30 p.m.). $10. [more info]

Playscape Emporium: Arcade-palooza (feat. Render File / Jason Leaver PuzzSoft) / Array Space 2024-05-15 (Thursday). $20.00 (or Pay What You Wish) / Livestream: $10.00 (or Pay What You Wish). [more info]

The Music Gallery presents What Is: heart(break) – Scentimental ["aromatic curator Sandro Petrillo will infuse the conservatory with hand-rolled incense"] (feat. Mas Aya / Sandro Petrillo / billie raphael) / The Music Gallery 2025-05-15 (Thursday). $10 [MG members], PWYC $15/$20/$25; $45 fest pass [MG members], $70 fest pass [non-MG members], all-ages. [more info]

Makam Nights (feat. Canan Sezgin-Geylan & Yahya Geylan) / The Tranzac (Living Room) 2025-05-15 (Thursday). $pwyc, notaflof. [more info]

Above Top Secret [Record Release Show] (Sydanie) / The Cameron House (Back Room) 2025-05-15 (Thursday). $15, 19+. [more info/tickets]

Sub-Sessions #10 (feat. Pick A Piper / Essie Watts / Erik Masson / Blush) / BSMT 254 2025-05-15 (Thursday). $pwyc, $15 recommended. [FB event]

Spheres of Southworth (feat. John Southworth & The South Seas) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-05-16 (Friday – early) [more info]

The Music Gallery presents What Is: heart(break) – Rebound (feat. Sarah Hennies / Tristan-Kasten Krause / Imaginary Percussion Ensemble) / East End United Basketball Court 2025-05-16 (Friday). $10 [MG members], PWYC $15/$20/$25; $45 fest pass [MG members], $70 fest pass [non-MG members], all-ages. [more info]

The Music Gallery presents What Is: heart(break) – Empty It Out (feat. Secondsight / Empty-it-out Ensemble / Jade Blair / Khashayar Mohammadi) / The Music Gallery 2025-05-17 (Saturday). $10 [MG members], PWYC $15/$20/$25; $45 fest pass [MG members], $70 fest pass [non-MG members], all-ages. [more info]

Digital North No.1 — New Connections ["a brand new concert series in Toronto, Digital North supports new Canadian electroacoustic music from across the country by featuring both emerging Canadian composers as well as bringing new attention to historic and significant Canadian electroacoustic works", feat. works by Dominic Sambucco, Alison Hain, Mikael Meunier-Bisson, sylvi macCormac, Steven Webb, Matthew Ariaratnam, Norma Beecroft] / St. George by the Grange 2025-05-17 (Saturday). $25.00 (general admission), $18.00 (student/arts worker). [FB event]

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It happened this week...

• ...on May 12, 2016 at Ratio (Somewhere There Presents).

Xavier Charles + Éric Normand - [excerpt]

Heather Saumer + Doug Tielli - The Forsaken Mermaid

[Do remember that you can click on the tags below to go back and find the original posts (and often, more stuff) from these artists.]

Recording: Man Made Hill

Artist: Man Made Hill

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at The Tranzac (Main Hall), April 12, 2025.

Man Made Hill - unknown

This set started off with some previews from MMH's forthcoming new album — hot new cruffins inbound from the test kitchen — but then ascended into an outrageous display of turntablism before everything came crashing down.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!

Recording: Greydini

Artist: Greydini

Song: Face Incubation Time

Recorded at The Tranzac (Main Hall), April 12, 2025.

Greydini - Face Incubation Time

Broadcasting from five minutes into the future, where mysterious videotapes emanate strange hallucinations of doom, Greydini brought a set of lurching stomps and psychoreactive slogans. Maybe the abstract threats from actual garbage cans will sort themselves out if you lean in and listen closely.

Recording: Shaaane

Artist: Shaaane

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at The Tranzac (Main Hall), April 12, 2025.

Shaaane - unknown

This mysterious pair with the shouted name and just a single track on Bandcamp turned out to feature a couple familiar faces, namely Greg Keefe and Cyril Penney, both of beloved jazz-punks Retired. This duo wasn't in completely different territory — but hewed to the side of Retired that featured noise-spasms, shoutbursts, and ranting samples.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!

Contest: What Is: heart(break)

What Is: heart(break)

May 13-17, 2025

Continuing to decenter its programming from X Avant, "What Is" — the Music Gallery's "spring" festival — continues to explore new connections and resonances. This year's festival asks "What Is: heart(break)", unlayering the stages over five nights of programming.

Even if you decide not to get too caught up in the conceptual arc of the shows, the musical content is more than enough to make this worthy of attention, mixing visiting artists whith a whole bunch of local faves that should be familiar to folks who peruse these pages. (And that includes Germaine Liu's Imaginary Percussion Ensemble, Aidan McConnell, plus an extended Mas Aya band featuring Isla Craig, Rob Clutton, Reimundo Sosa and Nick Storring.)

TICKETS + MORE INFO

Tickets for individual shows are $10 for MG Members, and $15/$20/$25 on a pay-what-you-can-afford basis for non-members. Festival passes are $45 for members and $70 for non-members.

CONTEST

Thanks to the Music Gallery, I have a pair of tickets to give away to Rebound, the festival's penultimate night (Friday, May 16th), curated by Tad Michalak. In classic Tad style, the show is at a unique east-end venue, taking over East End United Church’s sunken basketball court and presenting a night of avant-percussion from Sarah Hennies, Tristan Kasten-Krause, and the Imaginary Percussion Ensemble.

To enter, shoot me an email to mechanicalforestsound@gmail.com, with "contest" in the title and your name in the body. I'll randomly draw a winner on Tuesday, May 12th.

Monday Roundup #225

Concert announcements:

May Residency (feat. Roy) / The Cameron House 2025-05-14 (Wednesday – 6 p.m.) [more info]

Brodie West Double Basses Quintet [Brodie West/Rob Clutton/Josh Cole/Patrick O'Reilly/Aidan McConnell] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-14 (Wednesday – early)

Digital North No.1 — New Connections ["a brand new concert series in Toronto, Digital North supports new Canadian electroacoustic music from across the country by featuring both emerging Canadian composers as well as bringing new attention to historic and significant Canadian electroacoustic works", feat. works by Dominic Sambucco, Alison Hain, Mikael Meunier-Bisson, sylvi macCormac, Steven Webb, Matthew Ariaratnam, Norma Beecroft] / St. George by the Grange 2025-05-17 (Saturday). $25.00 (general admission), $18.00 (student/arts worker). [FB event]

Josh Cole Quartet + Strings [Aline Homzy/Lina Allemano/John Oswald/Nick Storring/Josh Cole/Blake Howard] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-20 (Tuesday). $15/notaflof. [more info]

May Residency (feat. Roy) / The Cameron House 2025-05-21 (Wednesday – 6 p.m.) [more info]

May Residency (feat. Roy) / The Cameron House 2025-05-28 (Wednesday – 6 p.m.) [more info]

Heraclitus Akimbo [Decade compilation release & ten-year celebration concert] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-29 (Thursday) [FB event]

Batuki Music Society presents: Mieux Vaut Tard Que Jamais / Better Late Than Never release celebration (feat. Njacko Backo & Kalimbas At Work / Nii Osabu/Nyama Bill/Nkoni Backo) / The Redwood Theatre 2025-05-31 (Saturday). $20 with CD (advance) / $25 with CD (door). [FB event]

The Marker Starling Band (Derrick Anthony Vella) / BSMT 254 2025-06-14 (Saturday – early). $20, 19+. [FB event]

TONE presents (feat. Tara Clerkin Trio / Slow Attack Ensemble / Potions) / Collective Arts 2025-09-13 (Saturday). $22.89, 19+. [FB event]

Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!

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Shows this week:

Brittany Pitt & Evan Tighe / Sellers and Newel 2025-05-06 (Tuesday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]

Track Could Bend #104 (feat. Allison Cameron / Allemano/Driver/Klager / Hex-A-Decimal) / Wenona Lodge 2025-05-06 (Tuesday). $pwyc. [FB event]

Peripheral Vision ["playing (mostly) the music of Anthony Braxton"] [Trevor Hogg/Don Scott/Michael Herring/Nick Fraser with special guest Kevin Turcotte] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-06 (Tuesday). [more info]

May Residency (feat. Roy) / The Cameron House 2025-05-07 (Wednesday – 6 p.m.) [more info]

Tone Cathedral Trio [Brian Abbott/Paul Newman/Sara Constant] / The Tranzac (Living Room) 2025-05-07 (Wednesday)

Musica Universalis {feat. Spencer Cole & Colin Fisher) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-05-07 (Wednesday). $pwyc, $10 suggested. [more info]

Project Nowhere x Departure (feat. Mother Tongues / Motherhood / Jane Inc.) / The Garrison 2025-05-08 (Thursday). $20 adv / $25 at the door, 19+. [FB event]

Post-Bluegrass Bluegrass (feat. Isla and the Sorry Brothers [Isla Craig/Karsten Stryker/Kurt Newman]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-05-08 (Thursday)

Audiopollination (feat. Pierre/Michael Palumbo/Diane Roblin / Samiul Samir/Skits Harpi/Annie Spence / Michael Paddock/Mira Martin-Gray/Daria Morgacheva / Holger Schoorl and company) / Array Space 2025-05-09 (Friday). $10 (cash or card), NOTAFLOF, livestream available. [FB event]

Lina Allemano Four [Special 20th Anniversary Retrospective Show] [Lina Allemano/Andrew Downing/Brodie West/Nick Fraser] / Sellers and Newel 2025-05-10 (Saturday). $20 minimum donation. [FB event]

RITUALS [EP release] (Torrent / FORMING) / The Baby G 2025-05-10 (Saturday). $22.70, 19+. [FB event]

Liquid Architecture (feat. Raphael Roter / Denis Romanov / Dusty Attic Sunbeam / Ryan Kinney) / Mischief Makers 2025-05-10 (Saturday). $10 (cash or adv. ticket), $12 (card at door). [FB event]

Link Music Lab Label Release Party (feat. Kimia Koochakzadeh-Yazdi/Niloufar Shiri/Matti Pulkki/Scott Peterson/Caleb Klager / Persian Alchemy [Neda Mohamadpour/Isaiah Farahbakhsh/Mehdi Rostami]) / Cafeteria 2025-05-10 (Saturday). $16.95 (early bird), $22.60 (1st release), $33.90 (general admission), 19+. [FB event]

Jesse Levine presents (feat. CORDS [Jesse Levine/Jay Hay/Dan Gooch]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-10 (Saturday) [more info]

Toronto Improvisers Orchestra / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-05-11 (Sunday – noon) [more info]

Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Senior/Newman / Spaceship Landini / Nick Flanagan / Nathan Yell) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-05-11 (Sunday – 2:30 p.m.) [FB event]

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It happened this week...

• ...on May 8, 2015 at Ratio.

The Ryan Driver Band - Fruitless Endeavour

• ...on May 9, 2015 at The Tranzac's Main Hall (Blocks Final Concert).

The Barcelona Pavilion - Tidy Up Tidy Up

[Do remember that you can click on the tags below to go back and find the original posts (and often, more stuff) from these artists.]

Monday Roundup #224

Contest reminder!

• Word on the street is that advance tickets are sold out for Saturday's Labyrinth Ensemble show with Âriâ Mohâfez at the Aga Khan. There will be a few available at the door, but this is also your last chance to enter my contest for a pair of tickets. Contest closes noon tomorrow (April 29th), so get on it right away!

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Concert announcements:

Tone Cathedral Trio [Brian Abbott/Paul Newman/Sara Constant] / The Tranzac (Living Room) 2025-05-07 (Wednesday)

Audiopollination (feat. Pierre/Michael Palumbo/Diane Roblin / Samiul Samir/Skits Harpi/Annie Spence / Michael Paddock/Mira Martin-Gray/Daria Morgacheva / Holger Schoorl and company) / Array Space 2025-05-09 (Friday). $10 (cash or card), NOTAFLOF, livestream available. [FB event]

RITUALS [EP release] (Torrent / FORMING) / The Baby G 2025-05-10 (Saturday). $22.70, 19+. [FB event]

Liquid Architecture (feat. Raphael Roter / Denis Romanov / Dusty Attic Sunbeam / Ryan Kinney) / Mischief Makers 2025-05-10 (Saturday). $10 (cash or adv. ticket), $12 (card at door). [FB event]

Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Senior/Newman / Spaceship Landini / Nick Flanagan / Nathan Yell) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-05-11 (Sunday – 2:30 p.m.) [FB event]

The Music Gallery presents What Is: heart(break) – 1:11 moonwatching (feat. Jenna Geen & Zoma / Aidan McConnell / Gary Kirkham) / The Music Gallery 2025-05-13 (Tuesday). $10 [MG members], PWYC $15/$20/$25; $45 fest pass [MG members], $70 fest pass [non-MG members], all-ages. [more info]

The Music Gallery presents What Is: heart(break) – Resurrection (feat. 8ULENTINA / Patrick Perez / Hagop Ohannessian) / Standard Time 2025-05-14 (Wednesday). $10 [MG members], PWYC $15/$20/$25; $45 fest pass [MG members], $70 fest pass [non-MG members], all-ages. [more info]

The Music Gallery presents What Is: heart(break) – Scentimental ["aromatic curator Sandro Petrillo will infuse the conservatory with hand-rolled incense"] (feat. Mas Aya / Sandro Petrillo / billie raphael) / The Music Gallery 2025-05-15 (Thursday). $10 [MG members], PWYC $15/$20/$25; $45 fest pass [MG members], $70 fest pass [non-MG members], all-ages. [more info]

The Music Gallery presents What Is: heart(break) – Rebound (feat. Sarah Hennies / Tristan-Kasten Krause / Imaginary Percussion Ensemble) / East End United Basketball Court 2025-05-16 (Friday). $10 [MG members], PWYC $15/$20/$25; $45 fest pass [MG members], $70 fest pass [non-MG members], all-ages. [more info]

The Music Gallery presents What Is: heart(break) – Empty It Out (feat. Secondsight / Empty-it-out Ensemble / Jade Blair / Khashayar Mohammadi) / The Music Gallery 2025-05-17 (Saturday). $10 [MG members], PWYC $15/$20/$25; $45 fest pass [MG members], $70 fest pass [non-MG members], all-ages. [more info]

TONE presents (feat. Eric Chenaux Trio / Cici Arthur) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2025-05-23 (Friday). $28.27 adv / $30 door, all ages. [FB event]

Drone Day 2025 (feat. dreamSTATE / DRONE:KLUB:47) / Trinity St-Paul's Centre 2024-05-24 (Saturday – 2 p.m.). $free, all-ages, family-friendly. [FB event]

Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!

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Shows this week:

An Action Committee Presents: Welcome Ceremony and Silent Reading Hour (feat. Harry Bartlet/Colin Cudmore/Owen Kurtz/Mateos Labbe-Phelan/Ben Rositan/Maxwell C. Stover/Harry Vetro) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-28 (Monday) [more info]

Nick Fraser presents (feat. Lina Allemano Four) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-04-29 (Tuesday) [more info]

Marsella Duncan [vinyl release show!] (Zinnia) / Burdock Music Hall 2025-05-02 (Friday). $16.95. [FB event]

CMC Presents (feat. The Cluttertones [Lina Allemano/Rob Clutton/Ryan Driver/Tim Posgate]) / Canadian Music Centre 2025-05-02 (Friday). $15 Advance / $20 at the door (CMC Members and Arts Workers: $12 Advance / $15 at the door; Students: $10 anytime). [more info]

laika berdey and the repeat offenders (Public Library / slack!) / Bampot 2025-05-02 (Friday – late, doors @ 10 p.m.). $15/PWYC, all-ages. [more info]

Labyrinth Ensemble with Âriâ Mohâfez / Aga Khan Museum 2025-05-03 (Saturday). $40 Regular, $36 Friends of Aga Khan Museum, $30 Students and Seniors. [FB event]

Rachmaninoff – The All-Night Vigil (feat. The Tallis Choir) / St. Patrick's Church 2025-05-03 (Saturday). $30 General, $25 Seniors, $10 Students. [FB event]

Michael Davidson's Adjacent Spheres / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-05-04 (Sunday) [more info]

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Bandcamp corner:

• This will be an auspicious week to snatch something on Bandcamp! Bandcamp Friday is back this week (May 2nd) and then doesn't return until August, so grab some things on your list. Here's a couple things I'll be picking up:

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In the mix:

• Meanwhile, here's a new ambient/drone mix, with sounds from Pulvil, Sines of Exquisite Pleasure, Vinterhjärta, Rose & LaJoie, zakè, Phillip Wilkerson, Sarah Davachi, mu tate, and Tape Loop Orchestra.

Recording: Harris Newman

Artist: Harris Newman

Song: The Wherewithal

Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Kurt Newman Presents: Newman Guitars), April 10, 2025.

Harris Newman - The Wherewithal

Although well-known to musicians and liner-note-gazers as a prolific mastering engineer these days, Montréaler Harris Newman has a lengthy rock resume, both in several Constellation-adjacent groups (including the very tasty Sackville, where he played briefly alongside this night's host Kurt Newman) but also in his Fahey-esque solo output. Recently making a return to the live stage after a lengthy absence, it was the latter that was being revisited here, but the deft technique and hypnotic fingerpicking on display revealed no signs of rust or neglect.

Recording: Kurt Newman

Artist: Kurt Newman

Song: Leather Britches [traditional]

Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Kurt Newman Presents: Newman Guitars), April 10, 2025.

Kurt Newman - Leather Britches

The keen-eyed might note that Kurt Newman's returning Tranzac residency is now listed as "Kurt Newman Presents Post-Bluegrass Bluegrass" rather than "Cosmic Country for Communists" — probably an indication of Newman's deeper delving into the old-timey stuff (and a friendlier invite to the post-Strangetooth crowd) rather than any indication of ideological deviancy. More specifically, though, this night was billed as "Newman guitars", offering solo sets from K.N. (picking out some fiddle tunes on his guitar) as well as Montréal confrère Harris Newman.

Recording: LordAUK/A L M A/Jessica Deutsch

Artist: LordAUK/A L M A/Jessica Deutsch

Songs: Jack and the Beanstalk [excerpt] + What a Wonderful World [Louis Armstrong cover]

Recorded at 918 Bathurst's Sun Room (Ambient soundscapes for babies to adults), April 6, 2025.

LordAUK/A L M A/Jessica Deutsch - Jack and the Beanstalk [excerpt]

LordAUK-A L M A-Jessica Deutsch - What a Wonderful World

Who are concerts for? How are they organized to suit different audiences? Limitations of "concert infrastructure", probably more than limitations of imagination mean these questions aren't too often poked at — but this trio has been putting their minds to how to present music for the younger set, filling the floor with blankets and making a cozy zone for young ones and parents to soak in some Sunday afternoon sounds.

This experiment lead to some important observations — the youngest bebbers do well with the ambient sounds, and can float along with an unrushed drift, while the older toddlers, eager to move and grab the world, are more engaged by something exciting and interactive. There were gestures in both those directions here, with a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk having a few dramatic flourishes as well as some spacious unfurling between episodes. More shows to follow, I'm told, expanding on the lessons learned here, so keep an eye out.

Given the relaxed atmosphere at this show, these clips have a field recording quality to them with some foreground murmurings co-existing with the music, but that's okay too — I hear babies cry, I watch them grow / They'll learn much more / Than I'll ever know.

Recording: %%30%30

Artist: %%30%30

Song: 4th piece [excerpt]

Recorded at Wenona Lodge (Track Could Bend #103), April 1, 2025.

%%30%30 - 4th piece [excerpt]

This time out, I was happy to invite Ministry of Phonic Services to program the sets — all the better to lean back and relax a bit on the tenth anniversary of TCB's first show. A cheerful collaborator and collector of shared experiences, this solo turn was a last-minute pivot, but gave %%30%30 (a.k.a. MPS co-founder Colin C.) a chance to present some compositions (or "improvised scenarios") for his collection of percussive bricabrac. This crowd-pleasing set-closer was a demonstration of Bernoulli's principle, allowing various metal implements to buzz, rattle and scream on contact with dry ice.

You can check out some more from this set over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend will be back at Wenona on Tuesday, May 6th, with sets from Allison Cameron, Hex-A-Decimal, and Allemano/Driver/Klager.]

Recording: Maebh Clark & Lucas Dvorsky

Artist: Maebh Clark & Lucas Dvorsky

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at Wenona Lodge (Track Could Bend #103), April 1, 2025.

Maebh Clark & Lucas Dvorsky - [excerpt]

This time out, I was happy to invite Ministry of Phonic Services to program the sets — all the better to lean back and relax a bit on the tenth anniversary of TCB's first show. This set brought together Maebh Clark (a.k.a. Dame Cook) and Lucas Dvorsky (a.k.a. Woolworm, Ontario), a pair of laptopists performing together for the first time. There was the looming petential of noise freakouts exploding at any instant, but the pair explored a lot of different textures, building up from some mellower zones into contrasting digital debriscapes.

You can check out some more from this set over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend will be back at Wenona on Tuesday, May 6th, with sets from Allison Cameron, Hex-A-Decimal, and Allemano/Driver/Klager.]

Contest: Labyrinth Ensemble with Âriâ Mohâfez

Labyrinth Ensemble with Âriâ Mohâfez

Saturday, May 3, 2025 @ Aga Khan Museum

Busy times continue for Labyrinth Ontario (and the Labyrinth Ensemble), with their ongoing small-scale gigs (including their regular Tranzac residency nights) leading once more to a large scale spectacular at the Aga Khan.

This spring, Labyrinth is bringing Âriâ Mohâfez to Toronto for his Canadian debut. "Mohâfez is an internationally renowned santur player passionate about preserving and performing traditional and contemporary Iranian dastgāh music. An expert performer, composer, ensemble leader, and teacher, Mohâfez will lead the 13 member Labyrinth Ensemble through two weeks of intense training. This meeting of sonic traditions and cultural backgrounds will produce unlimited possibilities for creation and collaboration."

Here's some beautiful, stripped-down sounds from Mohâfez — it's exciting to imagine what this could sound like with the full group on stage. (And if you follow their social media, you'll catch some realtime updates over the next couple weeks as things take shape.)

TICKETS + MORE INFO

Tickets are $40 ($36 for Friends of the museum, $30 for students and seniors) and are available through the museum's website. As of this writing, they are already at "limited availability" — like last time, this show will almost certainly sell out!

CONTEST

Thanks to Labyrinth, I have a pair of tickets to give away for this show! To enter, shoot me an email to mechanicalforestsound@gmail.com, with "contest" in the title and your full name in the body. I'll randomly draw a winner at noon on Tuesday, April 29th.

Monday Roundup #223

Community notes:

• The Tranzac is offering rehearsal time in The Southern Cross Lounge and Living Room for $25/hour (11am-4pm, Tuesday-Friday). To inquire about availability, fill out the room rental request form or email rentals@tranzac.org.

• From Venus Fest: "The Venus Fest Mentorship Program 2025 is here — and we couldn’t be more excited to kick off another season of connection, growth, and community.
  This program is all about supporting early-career artists and music workers who’ve faced barriers in the industry, with one-on-one mentorship, workshops, peer support and more!
  If you’ve been waiting for a sign to level up your music journey... this is it.
  Spots are limited, so check out all the details and apply now: venusfest.net"

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Concert announcements:

laika berdey and the repeat offenders (Public Library / slack!) / Bampot 2025-05-02 (Friday – late, doors @ 10 p.m.). $15/PWYC, all-ages. [more info]

Project Nowhere x Departure (feat. Mother Tongues / Motherhood / Jane Inc.) / The Garrison 2025-05-08 (Thursday). $20 adv / $25 at the door, 19+. [FB event]

Above Top Secret [Record Release Show] (Sydanie) / The Cameron House (Back Room) 2025-05-15 (Thursday). $15, 19+. [more info/tickets]

Sub-Sessions #10 (feat. Pick A Piper / Essie Watts / Erik Masson / Blush) / BSMT 254 2025-05-15 (Thursday). $pwyc, $15 recommended. [FB event]

Forty on Friday [works by Martin Arnold, Jason Doell (world premiere), Tyshawn Sorey, and Joanna Bailie] (feat. Continuum Contemporary Music) / Hugh’s Room Live 2025-05-30 (Friday). $22.63/$19.44 senior/student/arts worker. [more info]

Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!

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Shows this week:

Reduce / Reuse / Recycle ["the orchestra will use excerpts from iconic works in the classical canon as the inspiration for free-improvised pieces, this time accompanied by live improvised art from Tristan Crocker"] (feat. The New Toronto Symphony Orchestra [Zack Goldstein/Jared Berge/Ben Rositsan/Ilinca Stafie/Annie Elgie/Josh Sparks/Crescenzo DiCecco/Connor Crone/Danielle Sum]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-04-21 (Monday) [more info]

LAKE (Marker Starling / Bernice) / The Garrison 2025-04-22 (Tuesday). $24.11, 19+. [FB event]

No Octopus Dancing [Germaine Liu & Mark Zurawinski / Allison Cameron & Stephen Parkinson / Liu/Zurawinski/Cameron/Parkinson] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-04-22 (Tuesday) [more info]

Sarah Greene with Paul Kolinski & Michael Herring (Shawn Durkin) / Sellers and Newel 2025-04-23 (Wednesday). $20 minimum donation. [FB event]

Nick Storring [Mirante LP release celebration] (Khôra & Mas Aya) / Allan Gardens Children's Conservatory 2025-04-24 (Thursday). $22.63. [more info/tickets]

Karen Ng presents (feat. BLOOP! / Cole Schmidt’s Lettr Opnr) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-24 (Thursday) [more info]

All-Set! presents: Remembered in Exile - Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia album release (feat.Mole Mountain [Isla Craig/Pete Johnston/Mike Smith/Jake Oelrichs/Elise Boeur/Andrew Killawee]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-25 (Friday – early). [more info]

Exit Points #59 (feat. Doug Tielli/Lina Allemano/Victoria Miller/Matthew Ryals/Mehdi Rostami / Champagne James Robertson/Tia Alandra/Naomi Sky/Nick Flanagan/Michael Palumbo / Switchemups) / Array Space 2025-04-25 (Friday). $15 early bird / $20 adv / $25 door. [FB event]

The Ryan Driver Quintet / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-25 (Friday). $pwyw. [FB event]

Change of Heart [In The Wreckage record release!] (Bonnie Trash / Andrew Dickson)/ The Sound Garage 2025-04-25&26 (Friday & Saturday). $35.42, 19+. [FB event]

Dan Pitt Trio [Dan Pitt/Alex Fournie/Nick Fraser] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-04-26 (Saturday – early). $15/pwyc. [m ore info]

Gloin (Ancient Greece / Dog Whistle) / The Dance Cave 2024-04-26 (Saturday). $28.19, 19+. [FB event]

Casper Skulls [Kit-Cat album release!] (Twist / Kurt Marble) / The Garrison 2025-04-26 (Saturday). $25.38, 19+. [FB event]

Ministry of Phonic Services presents (feat. Zach Rowden / Shadow Pattern / Kristina Guison) / Agenda Cafe + Bar 2025-04-26 (Saturday). $pwyc. [more info]

catl. / The Belle and the Beacon 2025-04-26 (Saturday). $pwyc. [more info]

Diar (دْيَار ) feat. iIIarra Ryad / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-26 (Saturday). $pwyc. [FB event]

Pet Sounds Band [instrumental re-imagining of Pet Sounds, played in its entirety] [Christine Bougie/Dafydd Hughes/Andrew Downing/Julia Hambleton] / Hope United Church 2025-04-27 (Sunday – 3 p.m.). $20. [tickets/more info]

Sympathetic String Band Residency (feat. Sympathetic String Band / Isla Craig / Carl Didur) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-04-27 (Sunday – early) [FB event]

Eliza Niemi [Progress Bakery album release] (Advance Base) / The Garrison 2025-04-27 (Sunday). $25.38, 19+. [FB event]

Sound & Images Improvisations (feat. Nilan Perera & Mike Filipov) / PIX FILM Gallery 2025-04-27 (Sunday). $free or pwyc, $5 suggested, 19+. [more info]

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Video hits:

• Always a treat when there's something new from Shotgun Jimmie: