Gig: "Optical Sounds' Back to Cool Party"

"Optical Sounds' Back to Cool Party" (feat. The Hoa Hoa's / The Disraelis / The Peelies / Planet Creature

Rolly's Garage. Friday, September 11, 2009.

Perhaps it's fitting for Optical Sounds to throw a party in a garage, given their bands' common musical ground. It also works out well for a crew — as much a state of mind and statement of solidarity as a record label in the old-fashioned sense — that's looking to find some interesting places to play outside of the usual bar atmosphere. As such, Optical Sounds is quickly becoming a trademark of quality in Toronto not just for psychedelic-minded garage pop, but also purveyors of good old-fashioned "happenings".¹

A welcome relatively early start time on a workday, I cruised down Ossington to Rolly's Garage just before nine. For that extra touch of authenticity, a battered car door was leaning against the stairwell just inside the entrance. There was a decently groovy light show set up and a generally sweet ambiance. The only real setback for this as a venue is the lone bathroom available.² Things were running somewhat late as the crowd filtered in. Optical Sounds honcho Robert Gibson was pacing about like the father of the bride on the wedding day — the planning all done, but still fretting a bit and looking for something to do. He busied himself with going around the room, lighting incense sticks — and leaving them burning, leaving Femke Berkhout of The Hoa Hoa's to follow behind and blow them out so they could smoulder away.

First up were Planet Creature, the most recent addition to the Optical Sounds family. A five piece (getting some extra vox from Femke Berkhout) that fit well in the same figurative garage as the label's other bands, but do bring their own thing to the table. At this point, the band is a slightly ramshackle unit whose pop sense connects to a few diverse elements: the first song had vague country echoes, but mostly there were new-wave suggesting snake-y guit lines and fuzzy chunks of organ-y keyb. Driven by the Clare Anderson's urgent drums, the band played an entertaining seven-song set, gaining strength as they moved along, plenty harmonies sealing the deal. A little rough around the edges, but not in an unpleasing way. Worth checking out.

Listen to a track from this set here.

Next up were The Peelies visiting from Montréal, an, urm, appealing combo who brought the exuberance of a shy smile to rockin' bilingual tunes. Working in the same broad musical terrain as Planet Creature, the quartet recalled, say, a less-noisy Vivian Girls. In fact, there were some places where the guits could have used more drive and the tempos some juicing up, but when it came together, it was solid. A good vibe.

Listen to a track from this set here.

I expended most of my cleverest adjectives the last time I saw The Disraelis, so perhaps now suffice it to say they are quickly becoming one of my fave local bands, effortlessly churning out sets that are fabulous sounding without ever veering into sterility. Credit the warm blanket of Colin Bowers' guitar insulating against Cameron Ingles' dark-hour-of-regret laments. The all-male trio played compact versions of "The Bitter Ash" and "Secret" before stretching out on the last couple numbers. A blissful half hour — that new EP can't get here fast enough!

Listen to a track from this set here.

And then, to wrap things up, a trip with The Hoa Hoa's who played a relaxed, floating set of lysergic pop. Perhaps sounding a bit less urgent than I've heard them in the past, this just meant more time to enjoy the ride. A half hour focusing on their forthcoming album, including cuts like "Grew Up on The Seeds", "Vinyl Richie" and "Blue Acid Gumball", wrapping up, as advertised, just after midnight.

Listen to a track from this set here.

After the bands, the Garage party was continuing, but I was getting sleepy and made my way out. A fun night and a good event. Word is that Optical Sounds is doing a Halloween party, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

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¹ Or "events", as they are known to the less hip.

² Of course, there are several quiet alleyways in the nearby vicinity — hmmm... maybe that's why local residents are growing leery of the Ossington strip's recent explosive growth as an entertainment destination.