Concert Listings Roundup #211

You can read more about why I'm doing listings here. Long story short: This curated and decidedly non-comprehensive list contains nothin' but shows that I am going to/would go to if I had more time.

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Gig of the week:

Track Could Bend #29 (feat. BABEL / Invisible Out / Tom Richards) / The Steady Café 2017-08-01 (Tuesday – PWYC!) [FB event]

Some differing zones of electronic experimentation at this month's TCB, with the frazzled social media mysteries of Xuan Ye & Jason Doell's Invisible Out and some soothing shoreline drones from Tom Richards. But most notably, this is purported to be the final-ever show for Jakob Rehlinger's BABEL, as he prepares to pivot to new projects.

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This week's noteworthy shows:

Our Quarterlight: Essay/Cassette double launch (feat. Thom Gill & Fan Wu) / The Dupe Shop 2017-07-31 (Monday – early!) [FB event]

Monday Penance (feat. Starpilot / Demi-Mal / Beard Closet / Esther Splett) / Smiling Buddha 2017-07-31 (Monday – early show!) [FB event]

Mark McGuire (Ancient Ocean / C. R. Gillespie) / The Baby G 2017-07-31 (Monday) [FB event]

Don Scott/Karen Ng/Nick Fraser (Bloom) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-08-01 (Tuesday) [FB event]

Thin Skin (Luge / Flesh Narc / Toucan Slam) / Smiling Buddha 2017-08-02 (Wednesday) [FB event]

N//K (birdboy / Little Kid / Childs) / Smiling Buddha 2017-08-02 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Ghostlight / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-08-02 (Wednesday)

FRIGS (Dri Hiev / New Positions) / The Baby G 2017-08-03 (Thursday) [FB event]

Triples (Ducks Unlimited / Champion Ski / Beige) / Monarch Tavern 2017-08-03 (Thursday) [FB event]

The Puppet Show: Opening Reception (feat. Faster) / Gerrard Art Space 2017-08-03 (Thursday) [FB event]

In Between Sounds #76 (feat. Lorde Awesome) / The Only Café 2017-08-03 (Thursday) [FB event]

Godstopper (Alpha Strategy / Humanities / Deliluh) / SPK Polish Combatants' Hall 2017-08-04 (Friday) [FB event]

Audio Bleed (feat. Processor / Panic Engines / Western Plates) / Belljar Café 2017-08-04 (Friday – PWYC!) [FB event]

Ronley Teper & Tim Posgate (Abigail Lapell) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-08-05 (Saturday – early!) [FB event]

Duffog [Mike Duffield/Ben Oginz] (Bodies That Matter / Korea Town Acid) / Handlebar 2017-08-05 (Saturday) [FB event]

Sunday Residency (feat. Sacred Lamp) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-08-06 (Sunday – afternoon show @ 1 p.m.!) [FB event]

Nite Comfort 47 (feat. Hybrid Frequency / Stargoon) / Handlebar 2017-08-06 (Sunday – PWYC!) [FB event]

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Add these to your calendar:

Reminder: This post only contains this week's updates — the full listings can always be found over on the right-hand sidebar!

NOVA [new work by Dan Tapper and new works by Bekah Ann Simms, Allison Cameron and Mehrnaz Rohbakhsh. Electroacoustic works, multimedia pieces and immersive installation.] / Canadian Music Centre 2017-08-08 (Tuesday – free with RSVP!) [FB event]

Ornate Ornette (feat. Mike DeiCont/Mark Ballyk/Andrew Miller/Brodie West/Bryan Qu) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-08-08 (Tuesday – early!) [FB event]

Baby Cages (Johnny de Courcy / Banana Split [members of Ice Cream]) / Burdock Music Hall 2017-08-08 (Tuesday) [FB event]

Plasmalab (Slow Dawn / The Do Nothings) / Euro Sports Bar 2017-08-10 (Thursday) [FB event]

Heaven For Real [Japan Tour send-off with bands and comedy] (Dorothea Paas / Luge) / Burdock Music Hall 2017-08-13 (Sunday) [FB event]

The AMBiENT PiNG: 18th Anniversary (feat. Shimmer Crush / Weep O' Mine Eyes / Paul Kwitek) / Handlebar 2017-08-16 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Beats, Breaks & Culture (feat. Dead Obies / Above Top Secret with Witch Prophet / Leila Dey) / Harbourfront Centre 2017-08-18 (Friday – free! outdoors! all-ages!) [FB event]

Beats, Breaks & Culture (feat. Austra / Harrison / Rae Spoon / XOLISA / Mackenta) / Harbourfront Centre 2017-08-19 (Saturday – free! outdoors! all-ages!) [FB event]

Beats, Breaks & Culture (feat. Phèdre / Aiko Tomi) / Harbourfront Centre 2017-08-20 (Sunday – free! outdoors! all-ages!) [FB event]

POSI VIBEZ presents (feat. Osypa Luna [EP release!] / Brigitte Bardon't / James Gray) / Handlebar 2017-08-27 (Sunday) [FB event]

Julie & The Wrong Guys (Casper Skulls) / The Horseshoe Tavern 2017-09-07 (Thursday) [FB event]

Labyrinth Ontario Launch / Fundraiser (feat. Bassam Bishara / Meden Glas / The Iranian Modal Music Ensemble of Toronto) / 918 Bathurst 2017-09-15 (Friday) [FB event]

Somewhere There presents (feat. Cassidy Cawthray Neufeld) / The Emmet Ray 2017-09-24 (Sunday – PWYC!) [FB event]

Tough Age (Future Punx / Eyeballs / New Chance) / The Baby G 2017-10-06 (Friday) [FB event]

Recording: NAVI

Artist: NAVI

Songs: Granular/Neptune's Descent^*

Recorded at Handlebar (Nite Comfort 46), July 2, 2017.

NAVI - Granular/Neptune's Descent

The project brought one of the more elaborate stage setups that I've ever seen at Nite Comfort, with various musical workstations surrounded by the some oversized glowing beacon lights. Performing mostly as a duo, Justin Huang Ford (keyb, guit) and Matthew Romerein (synth, electronics) were joined for part of the set by Patricia Joong. Creating enveloping atmospheres, the set moved from science lab wubble-wobble to post-apocalyptic spaghetti western sounds — live, the echo-y twang was more front and centre than on their recent EP.

[Nite Comfort returns to Handlebar on Sunday, August 6th, with sets from Hybrid Frequency and Stargoon.]

^* Thanks to Justin for passing along the titles to these!

Recording: ~peace : will austin

Artist: ~peace : will austin

Song: [excerpt from first section]^*

Recorded at Handlebar (Nite Comfort 46), July 2, 2017.

~peace : will austin - [excerpt from first section]

This solo turn from Will Austin saw him armed with a full-sized keyboard, guitar, sequencer and sundry other flashing light doodads, from which he constructed an off-kilter wander through some folktronic byways. Unafraid to crank up his vocal effects to a slightly goofy zone while creating his tracks on the fly, this had the silly/serious vibe of a clown walking on a tightrope with no trampoline underneath.

[Nite Comfort returns to Handlebar on Sunday, August 6th, with sets from Hybrid Frequency and Stargoon.]

^* Will has passed along that this was an untitled piece — and that you can listen to/download his recording of his full set over at the Free Music Archive.

Recording: Ted Reichman

Artist: Ted Reichman / Ted Reichman & Anne Bourne

Songs: [excerpt from first piece] / [excerpt]

Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Tone Festival – Show #8), June 29, 2017.

Ted Reichman - [excerpt from first piece]

Ted Reichman & Anne Bourne - [excerpt]

Although the local "jazz" festival is anticipated in some quarters, it seemed that too often there was no home there for adventurous and experimental creators. Thus, out of necessity, the TONE Festival was born to give these touring musicians a chance to connect with local audiences and artists. A collaboration between Burn Down the Capital's Tad Michalak, Ron Gaskin (a.k.a. Rough Idea) and Karen Ng and Daniel Pencer, the goal was to create shows that were rewarding for players and listeners alike. Coming a few days after the previous burst of shows, the music in the festival's final night served as a series of meditations upon and tributes to the work of Pauline Oliveros, a suitably-relaxing deep listening experience to close out on.

Ted Reichman's CV notes that he studied under Alvin Lucier and Anthony Braxton (the latter of whom urged him to take up the accordion) but in this solo set, one could definitely feel the influence of Pauline Oliveros front and centre (her instruction to "play long tones" serves as an inscription on his album of solo accordion recordings). With just a couple pedals to enhance the drone, the set really accentuated the accordion as a breathing thing, as layers of sound were woven into a comfortable swaddling blanket. After two long pieces, Reichman unplugged for the encore, where he was joined by Anne Bourne, who was similarly unplugged after serving as a source for sonic manipulations earlier in the night.

Recording: Anne Bourne & Matt Rogalsky

Artist: Anne Bourne & Matt Rogalsky

Song: For Pauline Oliveros (But Mostly For You) [edited excerpt]

Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Tone Festival – Show #8), June 29, 2017.

Anne Bourne & Matt Rogalsky - For Pauline Oliveros (But Mostly For You) [edited excerpt]

Although the local "jazz" festival is anticipated in some quarters, it seemed that too often there was no home there for adventurous and experimental creators. Thus, out of necessity, the TONE Festival was born to give these touring musicians a chance to connect with local audiences and artists. A collaboration between Burn Down the Capital's Tad Michalak, Ron Gaskin (a.k.a. Rough Idea) and Karen Ng and Daniel Pencer, the goal was to create shows that were rewarding for players and listeners alike. Coming a few days after the previous burst of shows, the music in the festival's final night served as a series of meditations upon and tributes to the work of Pauline Oliveros, a suitably-relaxing deep listening experience to close out on.

This set from Anne Bourne (cello, voice) and Matt Rogalsky (electronics and processing) began with a structured meditation on William W.H. Gunn's A Day In Algonquin Park, one of the earliest field recorded nature albums, which not only used the album's sounds but also its liner notes, spoken/sung by Bourne and manipulated by Rogalsky. After that came this improvisation, which mostly floated along in a very satisfying way.

Recording: Corpusse

Artist: Corpusse

Song: Mindfuck^*

Recorded at Smiling Buddha (Monday Penance), June 26, 2017.

Corpusse - Mindfuck

Monday Penance is a new series promising a "monthly evening of noise harsh electronic experimental bliss". (And, equally importantly, a promised early start so you're not out too late on a Monday.) It was a real coup for the series' launch to close with a set from the legendary Corpusse — as well as a display of his visual art. Wearing a dismembered hand throwing the devil horns on a chain around his neck, Corpusse took over the venue, from the ceremonial incense to the all-encompassing dirge-anthems. Although less "interactive" than I've seen in the past, the performance was intense as ever. Between songs, Corpusse also reminded the crowd to support the scene and community that this series is trying to bring together. You can do your part by making the effort to head out on a Monday night.

[Monday Penance returns to the Buddha next week (July 31st) with a night featuring Starpilot, Demi-Mal, Beard Closet and Esther Splett.]

^* The title here is an educated guess — please leave a comment if a correction is necessary!

Recording: SKIN

Artist: SKIN

Song: unknown [excerpt]^*

Recorded at Smiling Buddha (Monday Penance), June 26, 2017.

SKIN - unknown [excerpt]

Monday Penance is a new series promising a "monthly evening of noise harsh electronic experimental bliss". (And, equally importantly, a promised early start so you're not out too late on a Monday.) Also an excellent introduction to a prolific artist previously unknown to me. This brief set started with some calming, floating ambiance before turning to darker territory, rock tumbler skrch-ings provided by a microphone rubbed against clothing and looped before ending with some anguished lyrics — "This is a hell between you and me."

[Monday Penance returns to the Buddha next week (July 31st) with a night featuring Starpilot, Demi-Mal, Beard Closet and Esther Splett.]

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

Concert Listings Roundup #210

You can read more about why I'm doing listings here. Long story short: This curated and decidedly non-comprehensive list contains nothin' but shows that I am going to/would go to if I had more time.

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Gig of the week:

Deliluh [Day Catcher LP release!] (HUT / Praises / Home Baking Co. 2017-07-27 (Thursday) [FB event]

Besides building community with an ongoing series of inclusive DIY shows, Kyle Knapp has been rebuilding his band Deliluh from the ground up. This album release is a celebration of that process as much as the band's continuing growth. Join in for some slacker anthems for the twenty-first century. [Kyle Knapp will also be hanging out on-air on The Night Shift, Wednesday night from 9 to 11 p.m. on CJRU 1280 AM (and online).]

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This week's noteworthy shows:

Somewhere There + MFS present (feat. Kenton Smith / Nows / Dux) / The Steady Café 2017-07-24 (Monday) [FB event]

Luan Phung Quintet / The Emmet Ray 2017-07-24 (Monday) [FB event]

Paul Linklater [Golden Boy Pageant album release!] (Sandro Perri / Dan Edmonds) / Burdock Music Hall 2017-07-25 (Tuesday) [FB event]

Lina Allemano Four / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-25 (Tuesday) [FB event]

The Nearest Faraway Place: 6th Edition (feat. Karen Ng/Alex Samaras/Daniel Pencer / Patrick Grant/Daniela Gassi) / 910 Bloor St. W 2017-07-25 (Tuesday) [FB event]

The Brodie West Quintet / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-26 (Wednesday – early!)

FAREWellwether4 feat. Nick Fraser (Andrew Furlong [solo]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-26 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Paper Laced with Gold: the musical in concert (feat. Stevie Jackson / Drew Smith / Lisa Bozikovic / Paul Mathew / Maggie MacDonald / Jo Snyder / Bojana Stancic / John Power) / Imperial Pub 2017-07-26 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Tirgan Festival: Inner Journey – Sufi Music and Dance (feat. Regards Persan) / Harbourfront Centre – Concert Stage 2017-07-27 (Thursday) [FB event]

Casual Drones 20 (feat. Flesh is Flesh / Carlyn Bezic / Lenny & Brie / Katie Monks / Jasmyn Burke) / The Baby G 2017-07-27 (Thursday) [FB event]

Moonwalks (The Sulks / B-17 / Shallow Waves) / Bovine Sex Club 2017-07-27 (Thursday) [FB event]

Catholic Wilt (The Mean/George Westerholm) / The Piston 2017-07-27 (Thursday) [FB event]

Alex Samaras/Colin Fisher (Sandy Gordon/Phil Melanson) / Pamenar 2017-07-27 (Thursday) [FB event]

Tich Maredza Band / Toronto Botanical Garden 2017-07-27 (Thursday – free! outside!) [more info]

Alex Samaras & Friends / Island Café 2017-07-28 (Friday – PWYC! all ages + family-friendly!) [FB event]

The Mike Smith Factory [Ali Berkok/Rebecca Hennessy/Jake Oelrichs/Tom Richards/Mike Smith] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-28 (Friday – early!) [FB event]

The Ryan Driver Quintet / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-28 (Friday) [FB event]

Doldrums [Esc release party!] (Phèdre / Petra Glynt) / The Baby G 2017-07-28 (Friday) [FB event]

SOM: Sound Of Movement, Episode II (feat. Michael Menegon/Nilan Perera/Pierre Mongeon) / Array Space 2017-07-28 (Friday) [FB event]

June Records 5 Year Anniversary Party (feat. Jex Opolis / Marker Starling / Eucalyptus) / The Garrison 2017-07-29 (Saturday) [FB event]

Wavelength 736: Camp Wavelength Warm-Up Party (feat. co/ntry / Hoan / Dorothea Paas) / Monarch Tavern 2017-07-29 (Saturday) [FB event]

Nilan Perera/John Oswald/Jonnie Bakan/Nicole Rampersaud/Michael Lynn /Mark Zurawinski / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-29 (Saturday – early!)

New Chance (Persons / Man Made Hill) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-29 (Saturday) [FB event]

Cosmic Homeostasis IV ["ambient interstellar electroacoustic drift vibes/group improvisation"] (feat. Abigail Trotsky/Chris Trotter/Kayla Milmine-Abbott/Paul Newman/Rob Cruickshank/Joe Strutt/Del Stephen) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-30 (Sunday – afternoon show, 3 to 5 p.m.! PWYC!) [FB event]

X (UIC / Pow Wows) / The Danforth Music Hall 2017-07-30 (Sunday) [FB event]

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Add these to your calendar:

Reminder: This post only contains this week's updates — the full listings can always be found over on the right-hand sidebar!

Our Quarterlight: Essay/Cassette double launch (feat. Thom Gill & Fan Wu) / The Dupe Shop 2017-07-31 (Monday – early!) [FB event]

Track Could Bend #29 (feat. BABEL / Invisible Out / Tom Richards) / The Steady Café 2017-08-01 (Tuesday – PWYC!) [FB event]

Triples (Ducks Unlimited / Champion Ski / Beige) / Monarch Tavern 2017-08-03 (Thursday) [FB event]

Godstopper (Alpha Strategy / Humanities) / SPK Polish Combatants' Hall 2017-08-04 (Friday) [FB event]

Voddville V: The Talk Show (feat. SlowPitchSound / Lumi Krysztal) / Hub 14 2017-08-11 (Friday) [FB event]

Medieval Music with Dance (feat. Pneuma Ensemble) / Majlis Art Garden 2017-08-13 (Sunday) [FB event]

Love Theme [ex-Dirty Beaches] (Bernardino Femminielli / Castle If / Carl Didur) / Smiling Buddha 2017-09-16 (Saturday) [FB event]

The Weather Station [album release show!] / The Great Hall 2017-11-24 (Friday) [more info]

Recording: FET.NAT

Artist: FET.NAT

Song: Le rictus du gêolier/cible du malfrat

Recorded at Ratio (TONE Festival – Show #7), June 24, 2017.

FET.NAT - Le rictus du gêolier/cible du malfrat

Although the local "jazz" festival is anticipated in some quarters, it seemed that too often there was no home there for adventurous and experimental creators. Thus, out of necessity, the TONE Festival was born to give these touring musicians a chance to connect with local audiences and artists. A collaboration between Burn Down the Capital's Tad Michalak, Ron Gaskin (a.k.a. Rough Idea) and Karen Ng and Daniel Pencer, the goal was to create shows that were rewarding for players and listeners alike. Coming after their own funeral series, this was also the last concert at beloved local DIY venue Ratio.

Closing out the night, Hull's no-wave agitators got the crowd standing up and bobbing along to their slightly-surreal franglais fracas. This one's the sorta-title track to their recent 12", and as far as I can make out, the title comes out something like "The gaoler's grimace/the thug's target" — tracking the fine line between being greeted with puppy love and being ground into Puppy Chow.

[Brandon Caswell Douglas was also documenting the show with his video camera — check out his youtube playlist from the night.]

Recording: Arrington De Dionyso & Pierre-Luc Simon

Artist: Arrington De Dionyso & Pierre-Luc Simon

Song: This Saxophone Kills Fascists [excerpt]

Recorded at Ratio (TONE Festival – Show #7), June 24, 2017.

Arrington De Dionyso & Pierre-Luc Simon - This Saxophone Kills Fascists [excerpt]

Although the local "jazz" festival is anticipated in some quarters, it seemed that too often there was no home there for adventurous and experimental creators. Thus, out of necessity, the TONE Festival was born to give these touring musicians a chance to connect with local audiences and artists. A collaboration between Burn Down the Capital's Tad Michalak, Ron Gaskin (a.k.a. Rough Idea) and Karen Ng and Daniel Pencer, the goal was to create shows that were rewarding for players and listeners alike. Coming after their own funeral series, this was also the last concert at beloved local DIY venue Ratio.

Returning for further excursions with Montréal percussionist Pierre-Luc Simon, Arrington De Dionyso's political and artistic vision has been sharpened up over the past year — "nothing is normal in America right now," he said to me when we were chatting before the show. Stomping his feet, his horn-blasts are the soundtrack to his own march on Washington, fusing Woody Guthrie and Albert Ayler into a form of protest music that not only denounces institutional greed and hate-mongering but also finds its own joyful, healing affirmations.

[Brandon Caswell Douglas was also documenting the show with his video camera — check out his youtube playlist from the night.]

Recording: Sook-Yin Lee & Adam Litovitz

Artist: Sook-Yin Lee & Adam Litovitz

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Ratio (TONE Festival – Show #7), June 24, 2017.

Sook-Yin Lee & Adam Litovitz - unknown

Although the local "jazz" festival is anticipated in some quarters, it seemed that too often there was no home there for adventurous and experimental creators. Thus, out of necessity, the TONE Festival was born to give these touring musicians a chance to connect with local audiences and artists. A collaboration between Burn Down the Capital's Tad Michalak, Ron Gaskin (a.k.a. Rough Idea) and Karen Ng and Daniel Pencer, the goal was to create shows that were rewarding for players and listeners alike. Coming after their own funeral series, this was also the last concert at beloved local DIY venue Ratio.

Arrington De Dionyso did some soundtrack work for Sook-Yin Lee's recently-completed movie, so it made sense to have them together on this bill. Joined by Adam Litovitz on keyb and percussion, Lee's songs were semi-improvised (there were some stream-of-consciousness lyrics drawing from things she could see in the room) fragments based around delay pedal mini-loops. The pair were joined by dancer Ronnie Clarke for the set, settled on the floor in front of the musicians, drawing in their sounds and the darkness of the room.

[Brandon Caswell Douglas was also documenting the show with his video camera — check out his youtube playlist from the night.]

^* I'm not sure if this set contained song fragments or works-in-progress or things that might already have titles. Please leave a comment if you know!

Recording: Brian Ruryk

Artist: Brian Ruryk

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Ratio (TONE Festival – Show #7), June 24, 2017.

Brian Ruryk - unknown

Although the local "jazz" festival is anticipated in some quarters, it seemed that too often there was no home there for adventurous and experimental creators. Thus, out of necessity, the TONE Festival was born to give these touring musicians a chance to connect with local audiences and artists. A collaboration between Burn Down the Capital's Tad Michalak, Ron Gaskin (a.k.a. Rough Idea) and Karen Ng and Daniel Pencer, the goal was to create shows that were rewarding for players and listeners alike. Coming after their own funeral series, this was also the last concert at beloved local DIY venue Ratio.

Brian Ruryk's deadpan musical destruction felt like an appropriate farewell gesture, his ritualized chaos embodying a sense of creation in the midst of Everything Falling Apart. Wearing a shirt covered with bells and can lids, he presented some abstract guitarskinning (while his connections worked) and the dispersal of several bags of Dollarama bricabrac (balls, tinfoil pans, Hallowe'en bodyparts, etc., etc. etc.) otherwise.

[Brandon Caswell Douglas was also documenting the show with his video camera — check out his youtube playlist from the night.]

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

Recording: Arrington De Dionyso + John Oswald

Artist: Arrington De Dionyso + John Oswald

Song: [improvisation]

Recorded at Ratio (TONE Festival – Show #7), June 24, 2017.

Arrington De Dionyso + John Oswald - [improvisation]

Although the local "jazz" festival is anticipated in some quarters, it seemed that too often there was no home there for adventurous and experimental creators. Thus, out of necessity, the TONE Festival was born to give these touring musicians a chance to connect with local audiences and artists. A collaboration between Burn Down the Capital's Tad Michalak, Ron Gaskin (a.k.a. Rough Idea) and Karen Ng and Daniel Pencer, the goal was to create shows that were rewarding for players and listeners alike. Coming after their own funeral series, this was also the last concert at beloved local DIY venue Ratio.

Anyone who showed up on time for the scheduled first set had already missed something, as Sook-Yin Lee (who'd be playing later) had facilitated with saxophone meet-up between Arrington De Dionyso (on the left here) and John Oswald (on the right). Just a little amuse-bouche of a honkfest to begin the night.

[Brandon Caswell Douglas was also documenting the show with his video camera — check out his youtube playlist from the night.]

Recording: Hailu Mergia

Artist: Hailu Mergia

Songs: three unknown songs^*

Recorded at Jam Factory (TONE Festival – Show #5), June 21, 2017.

Hailu Mergia - unknown #1

Hailu Mergia - unknown #2

Hailu Mergia - unknown #3

Although the local "jazz" festival is anticipated in some quarters, it seemed that too often there was no home there for adventurous and experimental creators. Thus, out of necessity, the TONE Festival was born to give these touring musicians a chance to connect with local audiences and artists. A collaboration between Burn Down the Capital's Tad Michalak, Ron Gaskin (a.k.a. Rough Idea) and Karen Ng and Daniel Pencer, the goal was to create shows that were rewarding for players and listeners alike. The second tentpole showcase of the festival, this brought out a packed house to the Jam Factory, with plenty of folks on hand who might not have come in contact with TONE otherwise. (And interestingly, they didn't all look like the sort of patrons who were about to dash off to go to Electric Eclectics, the show's other co-presenter.)

The crowd seemed especially eager to see ex-Walias Band keyboardist Hailu Mergia, who has found a new audience of admirers recently thanks to Awesome Tapes From Africa's reissues of his classic material. Backed by a bass and drumkit rhythm section, it actually took a while for everything to come together here — there were some sound problems at the outset, and he couldn't get a satisfactory accordion sound before apparently giving up on it and just playing keyboards. There were even a couple mid-set excursions into organ trio "mood" territory before things really got going. But once the music got cooking, this was quite fabulous — one could sense the band was feeling more comfortable once Mergia started to feel moved enough to spring up from behind his keybs to dance a bit and get the crowd clapping.

^* Does anyone know the titles to any of these? Please leave a comment!

Recording: Fake Humans

Artist: Fake Humans

Song: [opening section]

Recorded at Jam Factory (TONE Festival – Show #5), June 21, 2017.

Fake Humans - [opening section]

Although the local "jazz" festival is anticipated in some quarters, it seemed that too often there was no home there for adventurous and experimental creators. Thus, out of necessity, the TONE Festival was born to give these touring musicians a chance to connect with local audiences and artists. A collaboration between Burn Down the Capital's Tad Michalak, Ron Gaskin (a.k.a. Rough Idea) and Karen Ng and Daniel Pencer, the goal was to create shows that were rewarding for players and listeners alike.

Returning to the Jam Factory after their recent Feast in the East anniversary performance, Carl Didur and Colin Fisher brought basically the same tools, but whether it was simply having a more attentive, sit-down crowd in front of them or repetition giving more clarity to the game plan, this one was the more satisfactory experience. Deeper dynamics, a more satisfying arc to the set — and that seated crowd was much more attentive in this quiet guzheng and synth duet that started it all off.

Concert Listings Roundup #209

You can read more about why I'm doing listings here. Long story short: This curated and decidedly non-comprehensive list contains nothin' but shows that I am going to/would go to if I had more time.

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Gig of the week:

Batuki Music Society, Wavelength Music Series and Music Africa present (feat. Mbongwana Star) / The Great Hall 2017-07-19 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Just take a look atthe list of co-presenters here and you should have a clue why this one shouldn't be missed. And if that doesn't enough, maybe the notion that these futuristic sounds of Kinshasa come packaged with a "big fistful of European post-punk bass and busted electronics" will do trick.

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This week's noteworthy shows:

Thurston Moore Group (Casper Skulls) / The Great Hall 2017-07-17 (Monday) [FB event]

Re-TROS (Mimico) / The Baby G 2017-07-18 (Tuesday) [FB event]

LUKA [accompanied by improvising band with L. Phung, A. Lukashevsky, R. Driver] ("Special Guest") / Saving Gigi 2017-07-18 (Tuesday) [FB event]

Lydia Lunch & Retorvirus (Square Nails / Sista Fista) / Bovine Sex Club 2017-07-18 (Tuesday) [FB event]

Quadrupeds [Allison Cameron/Stephen Parkinson/Mark Zurawinski] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-19 (Wednesday – early!)

Mas Aya (Prince Nifty) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-19 (Wednesday) [FB event]

New Tendencies [Missed Month album release!] (Dirty Inputs / Doom Tickler) / The Baby G 2017-07-19 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Fade Awaay (Blank Bullets / Persian Rugs) / Smiling Buddha 2017-07-19 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Burn Down The Capital presents (feat. Zen Mother / Gates / Hexzuul) / The Baby G 2017-07-20 (Thursday) [FB event]

Doc Dunn/Colin Fisher (East Of The Valley Blues) / Pamenar 2017-07-20 (Thursday) [FB event]

Northern Passages Festival (feat. Cris Derksen/Jesse Baird/Nimkii Osawamick) / Harbourfront Centre – Concert Stage 2017-07-21 (Friday – free! all-ages + family-friendly! outside!) [more info]

Dorothea Paas (Justin Orok & Caitlin Comeau Jarvis / Lius Rhutilius) / Belljar Café 2017-07-21 (Friday – PWYC!) [FB event]

BIG on Bloor Festival (feat. Erik Bleich / Jeff Burke / Jane Doe / Sydanie / Slowpitchsound / Zoo Owl) / Main Stage (in front Bloor Collegiate Institute) 2017-07-22 (Saturday – free! outside! daytime event! all-ages + family-friendly!) [more info]

BIG on Bloor Festival (feat. Gayathri Premkumar / Witch Prophet / Chiquita Magic / Mamalia) / Holy Oak Stage 2017-07-22 (Saturday – free! outside! daytime event! all-ages + family-friendly!) [more info]

BIG on Bloor Festival (feat. Obuxum / YESFMLY / Scott Ramirez / Loony / Blvck Hector / Chelsea Reject / Just John / JiMMY BRiCKZ / Hybrid BBX / Phèdre / ELMNT / Erik Flowchild / Nitty Scott / MALOO) / BIG X Stage 2017-07-22 (Saturday – free! outside! all-ages + family-friendly!) [more info]

Tania Gill/Hafez Modirzadeh/Joe Sorbara / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-22 (Saturday – early!) [FB event]

Change of Heart [Smile re-issue show!] (Sianspheric / B.A. Johnston) / The Horseshoe Tavern 2017-07-22 (Saturday) [FB event]

Walrus (Petra Glynt / Future Peers) / The Drake Underground 2017-07-22 (Saturday) [FB event]

Over The 'Edge (feat. Bill Gilliam/Glen Hall/Joe Sorbara / Allison Cameron/Nicole Rampersaud/Joe Sorbara) / Array Space 2017-07-23 (Sunday) [FB event]

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Add these to your calendar:

Reminder: This post only contains this week's updates — the full listings can always be found over on the right-hand sidebar!

Somewhere There + MFS present (feat. Kenton Smith / Nows / Dux) / The Steady Café 2017-07-24 (Monday) [FB event]

Lina Allemano Four / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-25 (Thursday) [FB event]

Moonwalks (The Sulks / B-17 / Shallow Waves) / Bovine Sex Club 2017-07-27 (Thursday) [FB event]

Catholic Wilt (The Mean/George Westerholm) / The Piston 2017-07-27 (Thursday) [FB event]

The Mike Smith Factory [Ali Berkok/Rebecca Hennessy/Jake Oelrichs/Tom Richards/Mike Smith] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-28 (Friday – early!) [FB event]

N//K (birdboy / Little Kid / Childs) / Smiling Buddha 2017-08-02 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Dri Hiev (New Positions / "surprise guest") / The Baby G 2017-08-03 (Thursday) [FB event]

Nite Comfort 47 (feat. Hybrid Frequency / Stargoon) / Handlebar 2017-08-06 (Sunday – PWYC!) [FB event]

Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires (Blonde Elvis / No Frills) / The Garrison 2017-08-08 (Tuesday) [FB event]

Silent Shout presents (feat. P0st3rb0y [tape release party!] / Lee Paradise / The Marquis / Jonny) / Smiling Buddha 2017-08-10 (Thursday) [FB event]

Habari Africa Festival (feat. Rhythm Umurisho / Noumoucounda Cissoko) / Harbourfront Centre 2017-08-11 (Friday – free! outside! all ages + family friendly!) [more info]

Habari Africa Festival (feat. Adam Solomon / Adama Daou [balafon workshop] / Master Djembefola Amadou Kienou [Na Folike workshop] / Nhapitapi Mbira / Blandine) / Harbourfront Centre 2017-08-12 (Saturday – free! outside! all ages + family friendly!) [more info]

Habari Africa Festival (feat. Diblo Dibala & Matchatcha) / Harbourfront Centre – Brigantine Room 2017-08-12 (Saturday) [FB event]

Ronley Teper's Lipliners / The Dakota Tavern 2017-08-12 (Saturday) [FB event]

Habari Africa Festival (feat. Ubuntu Drum and Dance / Adama Daou [balafon workshop] / Neema Children's Choir) / Harbourfront Centre 2017-08-13 (Sunday – free! outside! all ages + family friendly!) [more info]

Kultura Filipino Arts Festival (feat. HATAW / JC3 / Kyvita / HanHan / DATU / Gingee / RV Mendoza / Casey Garcia / Darling Cora / Sol.Dust) / Daniels Spectrum 2017-08-13 (Sunday – free! daytime event! all-ages + family-friendly!) [FB event]

Audiopollination #54 (feat. Minibeast [Keith Seidel/Eric Baylies/Peter Prescott] / Insect Factory [Jeff Basky] / Sandy Ewen) / Array Space 2017-08-21 (Monday) [FB event]

Bunny [Memory Curator album release celebration!] (Sandro Perri) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2017-09-08 (Friday) [FB event]

Night Owl Festival (feat. Death Valley Girls / Naomi Punk / Al Lover / Annabelle Chairlegs) / The Baby G 2017-09-14 (Thursday) [FB event]

Night Owl Festival (feat. The Besnard Lakes / Heaters / Dead Ghosts / Sisters Of Your Sunshine Vapor / Crazy Bones / The Litch) / The Horseshoe Tavern 2017-09-15 (Friday) [FB event]

Night Owl Festival (feat. Shannon and The Clams / Max Pain and The Groovies / Kaleidoscope Horse / The Crowleys) / The Rec Room 2017-09-17 (Sunday) [FB event]

Not Dead Yet presents (feat. Flesh World / New Fries / Sahara / Josephine) / The Baby G 2017-09-19 (Tuesday) [FB event]

Robyn Hitchcock (Kate Boothman) / The Drake Underground 2017-09-21 + 2017-09-22 (Thursday + Friday) [more info]

METZ (SUUNS / S.H.I.T.) / Lee's Palace 2017-09-29 (Friday) [FB event]

METZ (SUUNS / Plasmalab) / Lee's Palace 2017-09-30 (Saturday) [FB event]

Front 242 (Odonis Odonis) / The Danforth Music Hall 2017-10-01 (Sunday) [FB event]

Wand (Darto / Century Palm) / The Baby G 2017-10-02 (Monday) [FB event]

Recording: Perch Hen Brock & Rain

Artist: Perch Hen Brock & Rain

Song: [first piece, first section]

Recorded at Array Space (TONE Festival – Show #4), June 20, 2017.

Perch Hen Brock & Rain - [first piece, first section]

Although the local "jazz" festival is anticipated in some quarters, it seemed that too often there was no home there for adventurous and experimental creators. Thus, out of necessity, the TONE Festival was born to give these touring musicians a chance to connect with local audiences and artists. A collaboration between Burn Down the Capital's Tad Michalak, Ron Gaskin (a.k.a. Rough Idea) and Karen Ng and Daniel Pencer, the goal was to create shows that were rewarding for players and listeners alike. Deploying some playful nicknames for their group moniker, Perch Hen Brock & Rain brings together Ab Baars (on tenor sax and shakuhachi), Ig Henneman (viola), Ingrid Laubrock (tenor sax and bubble-blowing) and Tom Rainey (percussion). This multi-national quartet felt like a product of the Dutch improvisatory school — perhaps if only because of a somewhat stoic, phlegmatic appearance that was at odds with the passion and inventiveness of their music. Playing together for a few years now (and with a live release under their belt to tour on) this crew presented drones like grey, ashen beaches in winter that would then come to life in subtle and surprising ways.

Recording: Marilyn Lerner & Nicole Rampersaud

Artist: Marilyn Lerner & Nicole Rampersaud

Song: [second piece]

Recorded at Array Space (TONE Festival – Show #4), June 20, 2017.

Marilyn Lerner & Nicole Rampersaud - [second piece]

Although the local "jazz" festival is anticipated in some quarters, it seemed that too often there was no home there for adventurous and experimental creators. Thus, out of necessity, the TONE Festival was born to give these touring musicians a chance to connect with local audiences and artists. A collaboration between Burn Down the Capital's Tad Michalak, Ron Gaskin (a.k.a. Rough Idea) and Karen Ng and Daniel Pencer, the goal was to create shows that were rewarding for players and listeners alike. Local pianist Marilyn Lerner has had a lengthy working relationship with Dutch violist Ig Henneman, so it made sense for Lerner to provide the musical welcome for the visiting quartet. Accompanied by trumpeter Nicole Rampersaud, the pair ranged from clonk-notes and purp-toots to whisper-sputters and harplike plucks, each exploring the possibilities to be found on the inside and outside of their instruments.

Recording: Heraclitus Akimbo

Artist: Heraclitus Akimbo

Song: La Région Centrale, Part 1

Recorded at Handlebar, June 18, 2017.

Heraclitus Akimbo - La Région Centrale, Part 1

Billed as "a quiet night" by organizer Matt Nish-Lapidus, this evening featured plenty of patchcords and three different flavours of electronic experimentalism. This time out, Heraclitus Akimbo's keyb-based loop-drift was accompanied by samples of the soundtrack of Michael Snow's epic La Région Centrale, adding some meditations on the landscape that serves mostly as a backdrop for the dazzling formalist freedom of the film's revolutionary free-to-move-on-all-axes camera work.

[Heraclitus Akimbo will be one of "Seven Sonorous Scintillators", playing a duo set with Jason Doell at Xuan Ye's You've Just Become Part of Me album release celebration, this Sunday (July 16th) in the early slot at The Tranzac.]

Still from a video taken by Heidi Chan.

Recording: New Tendencies

Artist: New Tendencies

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at Handlebar, June 18, 2017.

New Tendencies - [excerpt]

Billed as "a quiet night" by organizer Matt Nish-Lapidus, this evening featured plenty of patchcords and three different flavours of electronic experimentalism. Nish-Lapidus brought his own New Tendencies project to the night as well, creating some slowly-morphing purps and sputter-rhythms that looped into themselves just like the circle in the generative video being projected behind him.

[New Tendencies will be celebrating new album Missed Month with a release show, Wednesday, July 19th at The Baby G with support from Dirty Inputs and Doom Tickler.]

Recording: Bachelard

Artist: Bachelard

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at Handlebar, June 18, 2017.

Bachelard - [excerpt]

Billed as "a quiet night" by organizer Matt Nish-Lapidus, this evening featured plenty of patchcords and three different flavours of electronic experimentalism. Heidi Chan (also known as half of electro-folk experimentalists Deenzi) lead off the night with some loops of Canto-pop fragments emerging as minimalist sputter-fields.

Concert Listings Roundup #208

You can read more about why I'm doing listings here. Long story short: This curated and decidedly non-comprehensive list contains nothin' but shows that I am going to/would go to if I had more time.

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Gigs of the week:

Eclec~Tic~Toc Fest, Vol. 1 – Night 1 (feat. James Bailey / Money House / Lorne Shapiro/Brian Abbot / Body of Waste / Retired / Bit Reduction / Mkl32 / The Bim Prongs / Ben G./Cheryl O./Barry P. / Faster) / Gerrard Art Space 2017-07-14 (Friday – PWYC!) [FB event]

Eclec~Tic~Toc Fest, Vol. 1 – Night 2 (feat. No One Receiving / Irrevery / Valarie Kuhene / Darling Cora / Damon Loren Baker / Hidden Hierarchies / Fake Flesh / Moth Ash / Knurl / {AN} EeL) / Gerrard Art Space 2017-07-15 (Saturday – PWYC!) [FB event]

Neal D. Retke (who performs as {AN} Eel) is a down-to-earth guy with a larger-than-life persona. Since becoming a member of the local wierdo/improvising community he's been collaborating with a huge range of musicians... and listening as well. This two-night event is "dedicated to bringing adventurous & forward thinking experimental sounds & performances from both local and international underground scenes, with an emphasis on unusual collaborations & crazy sounds". Gerrard & Coxwell might seem far afield if you haven't been out to the G.A.S. before, but it's quite easy to get to on the TTC, and a really cozy, welcoming space. Come out for one night or both and see a whole bunch of MFS faves in action.

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This week's noteworthy shows:

Nicholas Krgovich (Marker Starling) / Smiling Buddha 2017-07-10 (Monday) [FB event]

Ornate Ornette: Song X (feat. Harrison Argatoff/Dave David Gabilan Riddel/Keagan Evans Eskrittt/Victor Vrankulj) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-22 (Tuesday – early!) [FB event]

Ian Daniel Kehoe (LUKA) / Saving Gigi 2017-07-11 (Tuesday) [FB event]

Eucalyptus / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-12 (Wednesday – early!) [FB event]

Music By & For Ken Aldcroft VII (feat. Daniel Kruger [solo guitar] / Daniel Kruger/Karen Ng/Joe Sorbara) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-12 (Wednesday) [FB event]

The AMBiENT PiNG (feat. Geek Weekend / Oblique) / Handlebar 2017-07-12 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Moon Eyed [split tape release show!] (Golden Feral / Terror Lake) / Euro Sports Bar 2017-07-13 (Thursday) [FB event]

Teenage Head (Dany Laj and The Looks / Slamboni) / The Horseshoe Tavern 2017-07-14 (Friday) [FB event]

Invocation Residency Series (feat. Glenn Jones) / Array Music 2017-07-14 (Friday – all ages!) [FB event]

The Seams (Cellphone / Sahara) / Monarch Tavern 2017-07-14 (Friday) [FB event]

Audio Bleed (feat. Manticore / Blank Nurse No Light / Corrodesion) / Belljar Café 2017-07-14 (Friday – PWYC!) [FB event]

Mark Critchley (Bob Wiseman) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-15 (Saturday – early!) [FB event]

Without A Net ["musicians will be dispersed throughout the conservatory so active listeners will create their own experience with sound as they wander through the 'houses' encountering flora, fauna and sound"] (feat. Contact Contemporary Music with Tina Pearson) / Allan Gardens and Conservatory 2017-07-15 (Saturday – free! all ages!) [FB event]

Taktus [video release party!] / Burdock Music Hall 2017-07-15 (Saturday – early show! all ages!) [FB event]

TUNS / Harbourfront Centre – Concert Stage 2017-07-15 (Saturday – free! all ages! outdoors!) [more info]

The Urinals (Century Palm / The Protruders) / The Baby G 2017-07-15 (Saturday) [FB event]

The Sadies / Harbourfront Centre (Concert Stage) 2017-07-16 (Sunday – early show @ 5:30 p.m.! free! all-ages + family-friendly!) [more info]

Somewhere There presents (feat. Phill Albert/Andrew Kay/Patrick O'Reilly) / The Emmet Ray 2017-07-16 (Sunday – PWYC!) [FB event]

Seven Sonorous Scintillators (feat. Xuan Ye [You've Just Become Part of Me double-CD release!] / Heraclitus Akimbo & Jason Doell / Brigitte Bardon't / Zoë Alexis-Abrams
& Johnny Spence) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-16 (Sunday – early!) [FB event]

Rebecca Hennessy's FOG Brass Band [CD release party!] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-16 (Sunday) [FB event]

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Add these to your calendar:

Reminder: This post only contains this week's updates — the full listings can always be found over on the right-hand sidebar!

Burn Down The Capital presents (feat. Zen Mother / Gates / Hexzuul) / The Baby G 2017-07-20 (Thursday) [FB event]

Dorothea Paas (Justin Orok & Caitlin Comeau Jarvis / Lius Rhutilius) / Belljar Café 2017-07-21 (Friday – PWYC!) [FB event]

BIG on Bloor Festival (feat. Erik Bleich / Jeff Burke / Jane Doe / Sydanie / Slowpitchsound / Zoo Owl) / Main Stage (in front Bloor Collegiate Institute) 2017-07-22 (Saturday – free! outside! daytime event! all-ages + family-friendly!) [more info]

BIG on Bloor Festival (feat. Gayathri Premkumar / Witch Prophet / Chiquita Magic / Mamalia) / JOUEZ Stage 2017-07-22 (Saturday – free! outside! daytime event! all-ages + family-friendly!) [more info]

BIG on Bloor Festival (feat. Obuxum / YESFMLY / Scott Ramirez / Loony / Blvck Hector / Chelsea Reject / Just John / JiMMY BRiCKZ / Hybrid BBX / Phèdre / ELMNT / Erik Flowchild / Nitty Scott / MALOO) / BIG X Stage 2017-07-22 (Saturday – free! outside! all-ages + family-friendly!) [more info]

Over The 'Edge (feat. Bill Gilliam/Glen Hall/Joe Sorbara / Allison Cameron/Nicole Rampersaud/Joe Sorbara) / Array Space 2017-07-23 (Sunday) [FB event]

The Brodie West Quintet / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-07-26 (Wednesday – early!)

Paper Laced with Gold: the musical in concert (feat. Stevie Jackson / Drew Smith / Lisa Bozikovic / Paul Mathew / Maggie MacDonald / Jo Snyder / Bojana Stancic / John Power) / Imperial Pub 2017-07-26 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Deliluh [Day Catcher LP release!] (HUT / Praises / Home Baking Co. 2017-07-27 (Thursday) [FB event]

Casual Drones 20 (feat. Flesh is Flesh / Carlyn Bezic / Lenny & Brie / Katie Monks / Jasmyn Burke) / The Baby G 2017-07-27 (Thursday) [FB event]

June Records 5 Year Anniversary Party (feat. Jex Opolis / Marker Starling / Eucalyptus) / The Garrison 2017-07-29 (Saturday) [FB event]

Monday Penance (feat. Starpilot / Demi-Mal / Beard Closet / Esther Splett) / Smiling Buddha 2017-07-31 (Monday – early show!) [FB event]

Ronley Teper & Tim Posgate (Abigail Lapell) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2017-08-05 (Saturday – early!) [FB event]

Drone:Klub:09 [community drone immersion experience – listen or participate! / Roland Inspiration Centre 2017-08-09 (Wednesday – free!) [FB event]

Moon King (Scott Hardware) / The Baby G 2017-08-11 (Friday) [FB event]

Pop. 1280 (Whimm / WLMRT) / Monarch Tavern 2017-08-19 (Saturday) [FB event]

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Album corner:

• Shore Line by Tom Richards
  Best drones of the week come in this free-to-download package of synth excursions from Tom Richards (of Riverrun and many other projects). Modestly-described as "intended to be used by musicians for practicing intonation and refining tone-quality", there's a lot of both foreground and background listenability here. The drone-tones start out pretty "pure", but by the stretch of Eb/G/Ab towards the end there's a lot more going on.