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.
Special note:
For the past six-and-a-half years, I've faithfully been cranking out these listings every Monday. Because of the unprecedented situation we now find ourselves in, this week's listings remain blank. Stay safe and sheltered.
Artist: The Holy Oak Family Singers
Songs: That's What Makes You Strong [Jesse Winchester cover; Thom Gill vox] + Dear Darling [Mary Margaret O'Hara cover; Ivy Mairi vox] + I Don't Know [Kate and Anna McGarrigle cover; Alex Samaras vox] + Thirty [The Weather Station cover; Thom Gill vox] + Runs in the Family [The Roches cover; Robin Dann, Felicity Williams, Alex Samaras vox]
Recorded at The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), February 20, 2020.
The Holy Oak Family Singers - That's What Makes You Strong
The Holy Oak Family Singers - Dear Darling
The Holy Oak Family Singers - I Don't Know
The Holy Oak Family Singers - Thirty
The Holy Oak Family Singers - Runs in the Family
A really wonderful night, once more bringing together this loose aggregation of immensely-talented musicians that once congregated at the much-missed Holy Oak. The special occasion this time was a milestone birthday for Luke Kuplowsky, who got to pick the setlist, populating it with some of his mournful/joyful favourites. As always, the crew ranged through the songbooks of the artists they'd paid tribute to in the past (Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Arthur Russell in addition to the ones posted above) and a few special one-offs, like the especially-relevant Weather Station tune. And as always, there were a series of friends rotating in and out of the backing band and vocalists' chairs. Truly a really special time, and worth remembering these days as to why we used to gather together (and hope to someday again).
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.
Special note:
For the past six-and-a-half years, I've faithfully been cranking out these listings every Monday. Because of the unprecedented situation we now find ourselves in, I am choosing once again to leave this week's listings blank. Even if separation and the suspension of regular life are starting to grate, this is a vital week for everyone in Toronto to maintain social distancing discipline. The numbers are going to keep getting worse for a while yet, but foregoing social norms now will make a difference. Listen to music, go for a walk, take care of your own self.
Bandcamp corner:
At the very least, I've had more time to spend with the music of friends and people in my community that I respect so much. Here's some of the things I've been digging: why not support these — or an artist that's important to you — by buying their music on bandcamp?
Artist: Autotectonic
Song: [excerpt]
Recorded at Wenona Lodge (Appetite for Deconstruction #1), February 27, 2020.
Autotectonic - [excerpt]Another new electronic improvised music series, this one hosted by synthesist and sound designer Mike Barber. His concept, as implied by the series' title, was to record the sets by the evening's guests and use that as the source material for his own set. Cayce Fischer brought a different vibe to this set than what I had heard before, largely through the use of guitar as the sound-source in her modular rig, turning frozen rumbles into layers of white noise and granular fragments — creating a butterfly effect where small flutters would cascade into spiralling vertices of sound.
[Stay tuned, once the need for social distancing has eased, for word of the continuation of this series!]
Artist: Jakob Rehlinger
Song: [excerpt from first section]
Recorded at Wenona Lodge (Appetite for Deconstruction #1), February 27, 2020.
Jakob Rehlinger - [excerpt from first section]Another new electronic improvised music series, this one hosted by synthesist and sound designer Mike Barber. His concept, as implied by the series' title, was to record the sets by the evening's guests and use that as the source material for his own set. Jakob Rehlinger lead things off with a BABEL-esque set, with the synth noodles heard here later giving way to some guitar treatments, including tapped-string percussive knocks and ebow slidesounds.
[Stay tuned, once the need for social distancing has eased, for word of the continuation of this series!]
Artist: Scott M2 + Raphael Roter
Song: [improvisation]
Recorded at Hirut Restaurant (Exit Points #1), February 26, 2020.
Scott M2 + Raphael Roter - [improvisation]This new series is an initiative by the collaboratively-minded Michael Palumbo, bringing some electronic experimentation to the east end. It was also a bit of a social experiment and a step "out"-ward for host Hirut Restaurant, but, at least for this initial outing, a successful one, drawing a nice crowd. A sign of the series' community orientation was given in the final set, which was treated as an open and informal jam, allowing musicians who played in the first two sets to recombine, along with any audience members who brought along something to play. Or, in this case, Scott McGregor Moore was enlisted to take a spin on Michael Palumbo's modular synth in this brief encounter with percussionist Raphael Roter, which resulted in some rather tasty accidental acid jazz.
[As with all things in these extraordinary times, upcoming shows are suspended in the exercise of social distancing. Keep an eye out on the series' FB page for news of its reappearance.]
Artist: Raphael Roter/Hryso Maheras/Rob Cruickshank
Song: [excerpt from first piece]
Recorded at Hirut Restaurant (Exit Points #1), February 26, 2020.
Raphael Roter/Hryso Maheras/Rob Cruickshank - [excerpt from first piece]This new series is an initiative by the collaboratively-minded Michael Palumbo, bringing some electronic experimentation to the east end. It was also a bit of a social experiment and a step "out"-ward for host Hirut Restaurant, but, at least for this initial outing, a successful one, drawing a nice crowd. The night's second set looked like a particularly cool day at the shortwave club, with Rob Cruickshank attending to knobs, dials and joysticks while Hryso Maheras adjusted parameters on SuperCollider. Raphael Roter added a beat underneath to keep things moving forward.
[As with all things in these extraordinary times, upcoming shows are suspended in the exercise of social distancing. Keep an eye out on the series' FB page for news of its reappearance.]
Artist: Glen Hall/Curtis Whitaker/Michael Palumbo
Song: [second piece, edit]
Recorded at Hirut Restaurant (Exit Points #1), February 26, 2020.
Glen Hall/Curtis Whitaker/Michael Palumbo - [second piece, edit]This new series is an initiative by the collaboratively-minded Michael Palumbo, bringing some electronic experimentation to the east end. It was also a bit of a social experiment and a step "out"-ward for host Hirut Restaurant, but, at least for this initial outing, a successful one, drawing a nice crowd. Palumbo, with his modular synth, participated in the first set, alongside Glen Hall (soprano sax + processing) and Curtis Whitaker (percussion). Random singalongs notwithstanding, there were some pleasing zones explored here.
[As with all things in these extraordinary times, upcoming shows are suspended in the exercise of social distancing. Keep an eye out on the series' FB page for news of its reappearance.]
Artist: Allison Cameron/Germaine Liu/Laura Swankey
Song: [edited excerpt from first piece]
Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Octopus Presents), February 19, 2020.
Allison Cameron/Germaine Liu/Laura Swankey - [edited excerpt from first piece]This instalment in the regular third-Wednesday-of-the-month Octopus Presents series saw Allison Cameron playing with two different trios. The second grouping saw her joined by vocalist Laura Swankey and percussionist Germaine Liu, the latter also making a rare synth outing. The output situated them as an off-kilter electro-pop combo, dream-drifting along before getting sidetracked by sputtering warbles.
Artist: Allison Cameron/Mira Martin-Gray/Mark Zurawinski
Song: [excerpt from first piece]
Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Octopus Presents), February 19, 2020.
Allison Cameron/Mira Martin-Gray/Mark Zurawinski - [excerpt from first piece]This instalment in the regular third-Wednesday-of-the-month Octopus Presents series saw Allison Cameron playing with two different trios. The first set saw her joined by Mira Martin-Grey and Mark Zurawinski for some quiet amplified sounds, mixing weird glitchy pirps and modest bleepbloops with the background buzz-layers.
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.
Special note:
For the past six-and-a-half years, I've faithfully been cranking out these listings every Monday. Because of the unprecedented situation we now find ourselves in, I am choosing to leave this week's listings blank. Even if a show you were thinking about attending in this vital week isn't already formally cancelled, I would urge you to practice social distancing and stay away. If you haven't already had your fill of graphs and curves showing why this is important, I'd urge you to spend some time with a reputable news source.
Going to shows is (surprise!) important to me, and I have found it valuable for my mental and physical well-being. And the worries I feel for the spaces I love and the people that work there — many perched on the edge of precariousness that characterizes our socioeconomic moment — are certainly real. But normality is suspended, and for the time being, it's time for venues to be closed, and crowds to be dispersed.
In the coming days, there will be more people using the technology that we have as a positive force, and when I hear of any livestreams or other virtual gatherings, I will try and use this space to spread the word so that we can still feel the spark of togetherness and community. In the meantime, stay well, and find whatever mellowness you can.
Artist: ADO + BUDi + Special Costello
Songs: Structured Improvisation + [excerpt from second piece]
Recorded at Wenona Lodge, February 18, 2020.
ADO + BUDi + Special Costello - Structured Improvisation
ADO + BUDi + Special Costello - [excerpt from second piece]
Covering Karen Ng's regular night in her absence, Jeremy Costello + co. put together this evening of improvised sounds, playing first separately and then as a trio. Together, they explored a lot of terrain, starting with the first piece here which was based around a backing track prepared by drummer Nathan Doucet and previously unheard by the others. Sounding like some debased M-Base (or maybe Prime Time going for a ride on Sun Ra's spaceship) this turned into some fiery outsider funk, with Nick Dourado spraying soprano sax notes around. He'd move up to his bigger horn for the second selection here, leaning into some Coltrane riffs.
Artist: ADO
Song: [excerpt]
Recorded at Wenona Lodge, February 18, 2020.
ADO - [excerpt]Covering Karen Ng's regular night in her absence, Jeremy Costello + co. put together this evening of improvised sounds, playing first separately and then as a trio. ADO is drummer Nathan Doucet's solo bandonym, and here he triggered some samples before getting to work on the kit.
Artist: BUDi
Song: [excerpt]
Recorded at Wenona Lodge, February 18, 2020.
BUDi - [excerpt]Covering Karen Ng's regular night in her absence, Jeremy Costello + co. put together this evening of improvised sounds, playing first separately and then as a trio. Nick Dourado would later play sax during the trio segment of the night but started things off on piano, unfurling some more of the infinite music that seems to flow effortlessly from his mind and fingertips.
Artist: Special Costello
Song: [excerpt]*
Recorded at Wenona Lodge, February 18, 2020.
Special Costello - [excerpt]Covering Karen Ng's regular night in her absence, Jeremy Costello + co. put together this evening of improvised sounds, playing first separately and then as a trio. Jeremy Costello lead off with this extended song-piece, layering beats and then vocals over ambient keyboard sounds.
* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!
Artist: Nashville Minimalism Unit
Song: [excerpt from first piece]
Recorded at Array Space, February 13, 2020.
Nashville Minimalism Unit - [excerpt from first piece]The always-shifting NMU was a quintet on this night with guitarist Kurt Newman joined by Andrew Furlong on double bass and D. Alex Meeks on percussion, as well as recent confrère Noah Franche-Nolan on piano. In this initial zone, the piano/bass/drums fall into a different sort of Necks-ish minimalism, occasionally nudged along by Newman's guitar. After this, as the group headed into some variations on a lonesome waltz, things would hew a bit more towards the "Nashville" part of the equation.
[Noah Franche-Nolan will be the special guest tonight (March 11th) at The Tranzac alongside Madeleine Ertel, Reknee Harrett, Naomi McCarroll-Butler and Joe Sorbara — who have now settled upon Never Was as their group name.]
Artist: Stargoon
Song: [excerpt]
Recorded at Array Space, February 13, 2020.
Stargoon - [excerpt]Stargoon is always an experiment and work in progress, so no surprise here to see Matthew Fava finding out in real time how some violin sounds in the midst of the maelstrom. The mix is a bit janky here, but one can still appreciate Kayla Milmine's sax grooves over the always-percolatin' rhythm section of Luca Capone and Jakob Rehlinger.
Artist: WhatNow?WeWait
Song: [excerpt]
Recorded at Array Space, February 13, 2020.
WhatNow?WeWait - [excerpt]This improvised groove unit can be other things on other nights, but was a trio on this night with Curtis B Whittaker (percussion), Andrew James Cox (bass) and Alexander Sales (sax). Occasionally similar in spirit to, say, Retired, but a bit less "jazz", this trio rooted around for grooves and then would dig in when they found something tasty.
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.
Special update:
As of this writing (Friday March 13th), this list is suddenly very un-current. Many/most events over this weekend, and presumably for the next two weeks, are cancelled due to COVID-19. Check events/venues for updated information and check with Toronto Public Health for the latest advice regarding gathering together in public spaces.
Some updates have been made in the listings on the right-hand column, but they can't be considered fully up-to date.
This week's noteworthy shows:
Ornate Presents (feat. Insensitive Granola [Aline Homzy/Michael Davidson/Alex Fournier/Germaine Liu]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-10 (Tuesday – early!) [FB event]
Taktus [Mirrored Glass album launch party!] / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2020-03-10 (Tuesday) [FB event]
Shotgun Jimmie [solo acoustic] / The Tranzac (Tiki Room) 2020-03-10 (Tuesday – PWYC! two shows, 8:30 p.m. + 10 p.m.!)
Most Popular Mic-Touching Sounds (feat. IPA / Laura McCoy) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-10 (Tuesday)
Northern Danger [Mike DeiCont/Rebecca Hennessy/Mack Longpre/Karen Ng/Chris Pruden] / Wenona Lodge 2019-03-10 (Tuesday – PWYC!) [FB event]
Brodie West Trio / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-11 (Wednesday – early!)
Never Was [Madeleine Ertel/Reknee Harrett/Naomi McCarroll-Butler/Joe Sorbara] feat. Noah Franche-Nolan / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-11 (Wednesday) [FB event]
Planet of the Loops (feat. Dustin Good / Cheryl O / Jordana Talsky / Andrew Aldridge) / Roland Inspiration Centre 2020-03-12 (Thursday – free!) [FB event]
Friendly Rich & the Flower City Tire Fire [Friendly Rich/David Sait] (Olivia Shortt/Nikki Joshi/Tyler Cunningham) / Wenona Lodge 2020-03-12 (Thursday – PWYC!) [FB event]
meta.ksi presents: Muted Blast (.2) ["compositions and audiovisual installations by meta.ksi and affiliated composers... explores elements of prepared acoustic instruments, video, and machine learning. Pre and post-concert, there is a score exhibition, alongside fixed electronic pieces"] (feat. Jana Luksts/Adam Sherkin/Wesley Shen/Brad Cherwin/Phill Albert/Matti Pulkki/Michael Murphy) / 918 Bathurst 2020-03-12 (Thursday – PWYC, free beer/wine) [FB event]
Michael C. Duguay (Steven Lambke) / The Tranzac (Tiki Room) 2020-03-13 (Friday) [FB event]
Musica Universalis Monthly (feat. Eternal Real World / Kieran Adams/Hugh Marsh/Colin Fisher) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-13 (Friday) [FB event]
Sarah Greene with Paul Kolinski / The Local Pub 2020-03-14 (Saturday – early show @ 5 p.m.!) [FB event]
Team Building (feat. Jeremy Costello / Tica Holiday / Nico Paulo / Christo Graham / Kurt Inder / Kyle Stephens) / Burdock Music Hall 2020-03-14 (Saturday – early show @ 5:30 p.m.! PWYC!) [FB event]
Phth (xLq) / The Music Gallery 2002-03-14 (Saturday) [FB event]
Audiopollination 81 (feat. Rick Sacks/John Oswald/David Sait / Nicholas Cooper/Del Stephen/Kalia Lenaghan / Ryan Kinney and Avant-Gardeners / Tiina Kiik/David Story/styrofoamNosebleedPrincess) / Array Space 2020-03-14 (Saturday) [FB event]
Paul Newman & Brian Abbott [album launch!] (Surf Grizzlies [Julian Anderson-Bowes/Kayla Milmine/Luan Phung]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-14 (Saturday) [FB event]
B.A. Johnston (First Base / The Mature Themes) / Junction City Music Hall 2020-03-14 (Saturday) [FB event]
Ace of Wands (Bonnie Trash / Zinnia / Velvet Bethany) / The Baby G 2020-03-14 (Saturday) [FB event]
Winter Matinee Residency (feat. Ronley Teper and The Lipliners) / The Dakota Tavern 2020-03-15 (Sunday – 3 to 5 p.m.! All ages, kids are free!) [FB event]
Eucalyptus / Hirut 2020-03-15 (Sunday – all ages + family-friendly! good eats available but not mandatory!) [FB event]
Diane Roblin Presents (feat. Glen Hall's Ossingtones) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-15 (Sunday – early!) [FB event]
Not Dead Yet presents (feat. Mdou Moctar) / Velvet Underground [new venue!] 2020-03-15 (Sunday) [FB event]
Somewhere There Presents (feat. Parade [Stefan Hegerat/Laura Swankey/Chris Pruden]) / The Emmet Ray 2020-03-15 (Sunday – PWYC!) [FB event]
Rat-drifting (feat. Christopher Dela Cruz) / Array Space 2020-03-15 (Sunday) [more info]
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!
Music Hosted by Karen Ng (feat. Astroturf Noise / Brian Abbott / Naomi McCarroll-Butler) / Wenona Lodge 2020-03-17 (Tuesday) [FB event]
Octopus Presents (feat. Julie Lassonde and Tilman Lewis [in 3 trio formations with Germaine Liu/Joe Sorbara/Mark Zurawinski] / The Imaginary Percussion Ensemble [Germaine Liu/Joe Sorbara/Mark Zurawinski) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-18 (Wednesday – early!) [FB event]
Clara Engel (unQuartet) / The Amsterdam Bicycle Club 2019-03-27 (Friday) [FB event]
Cosmic Homeostasis XIV / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-29 (Sunday – afternoon event, 3-5 p.m.! PWYC! family friendly!) [FB event]
Pete Carmichael Memorial Show ["a live and loving farewell to our great friend Pete Carmichael featuring performances by many of his peers"] (feat. The Diableros / The TryUmphs / Whirly Birds / The Volts / Another Blue Door / Winnies Concept / Cabana / Blinker The Star) / Monarch Tavern 2020-03-29 (Sunday – free event! doors @ 3 p.m., bands @ 4:30 p.m.!) [FB event]
Blessings (DPCD / Alex Lukashevsky) / The Tranzac (Tiki Room) 2020-03-29 (Sunday) [FB event]
TIO Celebrates Alan Bloor (feat. Toronto Improvisors Orchestra) / Array Space 2020-03-29 (Sunday) [FB event]
Mr. Joy [album release!] (C.R. Gillespie) / The Boat 2020-04-02 (Thursday) [FB event]
William Basinski / University of Toronto – The John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design 2020-04-04 (Saturday – free!) [FB event]
Overleaf [album launch!] (Brian Abbott) / Gerrard Arts Space 2020-04-04 (Saturday) [FB event]
The Music Gallery's Departures Series (feat. Amirtha Kidambi & Lea Bertucci / Joyful Joyful / Memory Pearl) / Grand Canyon Theatre 2020-04-17 (Friday) [FB event]
Alphabet of Wrongdoing (feat. Daniela Gesundheit) / The Music Gallery 2020-04-19 (Sunday) [FB event]
Bruce Peninsula / The Garrison 2020-04-25 (Saturday) [FB event]
The Acid Underground Presents: Trip I (feat. SIANspheric / Tijuana Taxi / Laveda / Fires of Cheektowaga) / The Baby G 2020-05-13 (Wednesday) [FB event]
ROY [Peace, Love & Outer Space record release show!] (ZONES / Dr. Joy [Matthew "Doc" Dunn & Mr. Joy]) / The Baby G 2020-05-16 (Saturday) [FB event]
Artist: Lina Allemano 4
Songs: Pipe Dream + Beans
Recorded at The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), February 9, 2020.
Nights with Lina Allemano bringing her eponymous quartet to the Southern Cross are often pretty packed, but a snowstorm (and the temptation for some to stay home and watch The Oscars) left a bit more elbow room than usual on this night. The band filled the space up with sounds — many of them new ones as they worked through a series of Allemano's recent vegetarian-themed pieces for the group. Some of the new pieces felt a bit more like expressions of compositional ideas than, say, packages for grooves. (The first piece here "stole a little theme from Prokofiev" by Allemano's admission, though the latter one certainly grooves plenty enough.) Several pieces ended — or started! — with laughter, so there was definitely an astonished sense of delight and spontaneity throughout.
[Before heading back to Berlin for a spell, Allemano will be celebrating the release of Glimmer Glammer, her first album of solo trumpet recordings with a show tomorrow (March 8th) at The Tranzac, featuring a solo set as well some collaborative BLOOP-ing with Mike Smith.]
Artist: Kathryn Ladano/Jeff Burke/Alex Fournier/Germaine Liu/Nilan Perera
Songs: [excerpts from two improvisations]
Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (SynapticCircusSundays), February 9, 2020.
Kathryn Ladano/Jeff Burke/Alex Fournier/Germaine Liu/Nilan Perera - [excerpt from 1st piece]
Kathryn Ladano/Jeff Burke/Alex Fournier/Germaine Liu/Nilan Perera - [excerpt from 2nd piece]
Host Nilan Perera constructed this evening to serve as a showcase for bass clarinetist Dr. Kathryn Ladano, who was presenting music from Masked, her second solo album — which was itself derived from the work done for her PhD thesis, "The Improvising Musician's Mask: Using Musical Instruments to Build Self-Confidence and Social Skills in Collective Free Improvisation". Some collective free improvisation was explored by this grouping that Perera assembled, first with some get-to-know-you duos that were followed by full quintet explorations. The flexible rhythm unit of Germaine Liu (percusssion), Alex Fournier (double bass) and Nilan Perera (electric guitar) created some frames for Ladano's bass clarinet as well as Jeff Burke's theremin and bassoon.
[SynapticCircus returns to The Tranzac on Sunday (March 8th) with sets from Jay Hay/Jim Lewis/Wes Neal/Rick Sacks/Nilan Perera plus Dame Cook & Eugene Martynec.]
Artist: Kathryn Ladano
Song: Improvisation on "Outcry"
Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (SynapticCircusSundays), February 9, 2020.
Kathryn Ladano - Improvisation on "Outcry"Host Nilan Perera constructed this evening to serve as a showcase for bass clarinetist Dr. Kathryn Ladano, who was presenting music from Masked, her second solo album — which was itself derived from the work done for her PhD thesis, "The Improvising Musician's Mask: Using Musical Instruments to Build Self-Confidence and Social Skills in Collective Free Improvisation". In a solo set to start things off, she presented some variations on the album's solo improvisations, exploring expanding multiharmonics and deconstructed grooves.
[SynapticCircus returns to The Tranzac on Sunday (March 8th) with sets from Jay Hay/Jim Lewis/Wes Neal/Rick Sacks/Nilan Perera plus Dame Cook & Eugene Martynec.]
Artist: Kurt Newman
Songs: Medley: Gold Rush/Bill Cheatham*
Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Ayal Senior presents), February 9, 2020.
Kurt Newman - Medley: Gold Rush/Bill CheathamAyal Senior's Sunday afternoon monthly at The Tranzac has been evolving into a genial live-action variety show, with stand-up comedy and a flurry of musicians playing shorter sets. Amongst other areas on inquiry, Kurt Newman has recently been exploring instrumental folk music — mostly fiddle tunes — arranged for guitar. That involves a cascading fractal rush of notes, framed by repeating patterns but also capable of infinite small variations.
[Ayal Senior's residency continues this Sunday (March 8th) with appearances from regulars Kurt Newman and Nick Flanagan as well as David Sait and Del Stephen's Today Versions.]
* Thanks to Kurt for passing along the titles to these!
Artist: Small Orbit
Song: Snow Fort*
Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Ayal Senior presents), February 9, 2020.
Small Orbit - Snow FortAyal Senior's Sunday afternoon monthly at The Tranzac has been evolving into a genial live-action variety show, with stand-up comedy and a flurry of musicians playing shorter sets. Leading off the afternoon, Katherine Walker-Jones offered some telescopic observations of life's all-important small gestures and moments.
[Ayal Senior's residency continues this Sunday (March 8th) with appearances from regulars Kurt Newman and Nick Flanagan as well as David Sait and Del Stephen's Today Versions.]
* Thanks to Katherine for passing along the title to this one.
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.
Gigs of the week:
Women From Space Festival (feat. Elisa Thorn / Amy Brandon / Claire Yunjin Lee / Susan Alcorn) / Burdock Music Hall 2020-03-05 (Thursday) [FB event]
Women From Space Festival (feat. Lieke van der Voort feat. Naomi McCarroll-Butler/Olivia Shortt/Lauren Falls / Teiya Kasahara / Alaska B / Tara Kannangara feat. Matthew Fong/Julian Anderson-Bowes/Mackenzie Longpre) / Burdock Music Hall 2020-03-06 (Friday) [FB event]
Women From Space Festival (feat. Anne Bourne & tUkU / Mira Martin-Gray / Sam Newsome & Kayla Milmine / Pantayo) / Burdock Music Hall 2020-03-07 (Saturday) [FB event]
Women From Space Festival (feat. Elizabeth Lima & Meghan Cheng / Sahara Morimoto & Raphael Roter / Heather Saumer feat. Felicity Williams/Alex Samaras/Thom Gill/Robin Dann / Bea Labikova/William Parker/Germaine Liu / Kris Davis & Ingrid Laubrock) / 918 Bathurst St. 2020-03-08 (Sunday) [FB event]
Last year's initial Women From Space Festival, focusing out of necessity on local acts, was a superbly-curated affair. So like any good sequel, curators Bea Labikova and Kayle Milmine have made this second year bigger and brighter in every way. Local scenes are still the backbone of this year's edition, but there's also the addition of a series of visiting headliners, adding new cross-pollinations and facilitating new collaborations. Essential stuff, and simply not to be missed!
This week's noteworthy shows:
Relay [Chris Pruden/Julian Anderson-Bowes/Mark Ballyk with special guest Mingjia Jessica Chen] / The Emmet Ray 2020-03-02 (Monday) [FB event]
Naomi McCarroll-Butler/Paul Newman / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-03 (Tuesday – extra-early show @ 5 p.m.!)
Track Could Bend #60 (feat. JP Carter & Friends [JP Carter/Aline Homzy/Ashley Urquhart/Joe Sorbara] / Les Trois Lynx Roux [Émilie Fortin/Germaine Liu/Cory Harper-Latkovich] / Suit World [Alex Hamlyn/Alex McLaren/Vannessa Barnier]) / Wenona Lodge 2020-03-03 (Tuesday – PWYC!) [FB event]
Spring On Winter [Patrick Grant/Raf Reza/Daniela Gassi/Ashley Beattie] (C.R. Gillespie) / Sellers & Newel 2020-03-03 (Tuesday) [FB event]
Ghostlight (Eiyn Sof) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-04 (Wednesday) [FB event]
A Pigsty in a Single Grain of Rice: collages by Andrew Zukerman [opening reception with performance of The Naked Ape Is All Wet, a graphic score by Andrew Zukerman] (feat. Ways) / Likely General 2020-03-05 (Thursday) [FB event]
WHOOP-Szo (Gloin / Sportsfan) / The Baby G 2020-03-05 (Thursday) [FB event]
Art of the Uncarved Block presents (feat. Chris [record release!] / Tang / Poor You / Poolblood) / Owl's Club 2019-03-05 (Thursday) [FB event]
Honeymoon Phase [Defect EP release!] (Mhihkhaihlhah x Chastity Platinum / Animal Party) / 254 Lansdowne 2020-03-05 (Thursday) [FB event]
In Between Sounds #107 (feat. Lorde Awesome) / The Only Café 2020-03-05 (Thursday) [FB event]
Carmen Elle (Within / Hiroki Tanaka) / Handlebar 2020-03-05 (Thursday) [FB event]
VC2 Cello Duo / Canadian Music Centre 2020-03-06 (Friday) [FB event]
PAX (Danika+ / Hobby) / Monarch Tavern 2020-03-06 (Friday) [FB event]
Away Forward [album release party!] (People) / Duggan's Brewery (basement) 2020-03-06 (Friday) [FB event]
Queerly Beloved: Wild Combination (A Portrait of Arthur Russell) [film screening + live set] (feat. The Holy Oak Family Singers) / Paradise Theatre 2020-03-06 (Friday) [FB event]
Motorists [EP release!] (Safe / No Frills) / The Beguiling (basement) 2020-03-07 (Saturday – early!) [FB event]
Diane Roblin's Life Force Sextet / La Rev 2020-03-07 (Saturday) [FB event]
Action Packed Vol. 2 (feat. Bloodshot Bill / Ichi-Bons / The Shook Boys) / The Dakota Tavern 2020-03-07 (Saturday) [FB event]
Processor (Bile Sister / Memorex) / Duggan's Brewery 2020-03-07 (Saturday) [FB event]
Ayal Senior Presents (feat. David Sait / Kurt Newman / Del Stephen's Today Versions / Nick Flanagan [comedy]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-08 (Sunday – afternoon show, 3 to 5 p.m.!) [FB event]
The Furniture Music Composition Workshop #15: Graphic Score Edition ["bring your graphic scores, text score, mixed media, literal sketch prompts, whatever and see how they play out in the hands of another"] (feat. Ben Frost/Bjorn Kriel/Michael Palumbo/Reknee Harrett) / The Tranzac (Tiki Room) 2019-03-08 (Sunday – 5 to 7 p.m.!) [FB event]
SynapticCircusSundays (feat. Jay Hay/Jim Lewis/Wes Neal/Rick Sacks/Nilan Perera / Dame Cook/Eugene Martynec) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-08 (Sunday – early!) [FB event]
Eucalyptus / Hirut 2020-03-08 (Sunday – all ages + family-friendly! good eats available but not mandatory!) [FB event]
Somewhere There's Second Sunday Series (feat. Mingjia Chen/Chris Pruden/Julian Anderson-Bowes/Mark Ballyk / Pestilential City [Dillon Colter/Aidan Funston/Augustine Yates]) / Array Space 2020-03-08 (Sunday) [FB event]
Lina Allemano [Glimmer Glammer solo trumpet CD release!] (Bloop!) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-08 (Sunday) [FB event]
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!
Dan McCarthy's "Songs of the Doomed" [music inspired by gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson] (feat. Dan McCarthy/Luan Phung/Don Scott/Dan Fortin/Ernesto Cervini) / The Emmet Ray 2020-03-09 (Monday) [FB event]
Ornate Presents (feat. Insensitive Granola [Aline Homzy/Michael Davidson/Alex Fournier/Germaine Liu]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-10 (Tuesday – early!) [FB event]
Team Building (feat. Jeremy Costello / Tica Holiday / Nico Paulo / Christo Graham / Kurt Inder / Kyle Stephens) / Burdock Music Hall 2020-03-14 (Saturday – early show @ 5:30 p.m.! PWYC!) [FB event]
Audiopollination 81 (feat. Rick Sacks/John Oswald/David Sait / Nicholas Cooper/Del Stephen/Kalia Lenaghan / Ryan Kinney and Avant-Gardeners / Tiina Kiik/David Story/styrofoamNosebleedPrincess) / Array Space 2020-03-14 (Saturday) [FB event]
Paul Newman & Brian Abbott [album launch!] (Surf Grizzlies [Julian Anderson-Bowes/Kayla Milmine/Luan Phung]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2020-03-14 (Saturday) [FB event]
Somewhere There Presents (feat. Stefan Hegerat Trio [Stefan Hegerat/Laura Swankey/Chris Pruden]) / The Emmet Ray 2020-03-15 (Sunday) [more info]
Rat-drifting (feat. Christopher Dela Cruz) / Array Space 2020-03-15 (Sunday) [more info]
Clock Radio [Michael Davidson & Dan Fortin] / The Emmet Ray 2020-03-16 (Monday – PWYC!) [more info]
Alan Licht [solo guitar] (Brodie West & Mani Mazinani) / Array Space 2020-03-19 (Thursday)
Long Winter 8.5 (feat. New Chance / Max & Eyeda / Slash Need / Chladny / Michael Peter Olsen / For Jane / Weak Hands / Mortimer. / dol / U Me N Us Sound Kollective) / Workman Arts 2020-03-21 (Saturday – all ages! PWYC!) [FB event]
Patrick Smith Quintet [Pat Smith/Kaelin Murphy/Noah Franche-Nolan/Hayden Farrar/Nick Fraser] / The Emmet Ray 2020-03-23 (Monday) [more info]
Convergence Theory: season finale (feat. Maxime Corbeil-Perron / Dame Cook / David Storen) / Victory Social Club 2020-03-28 (Saturday) [FB event]
Ben Frost/Naomi McCarroll-Butler/Noah Franche-Nolan/Dan Fortin/Keith Barstow / The Emmet Ray 2020-03-29 (Sunday – early!) [FB event]
Ben Dwyer Quartet [Ben Dwyer/Josh Cole/Emily Steinwall/Ewen Farncombe] / The Emmet Ray 2020-03-30 (Monday) [more info]
Witch Prophet [record release show!] (Yasmine) / The Drake Underground 2020-04-01 (Wednesday) [FB event]
Hot Garbage (Peeling / Lee Paradise) / The Baby G 2020-04-02 (Thursday) [FB event]
Favours (Beams / The Kommeden) / Monarch Tavern 2020-04-10 (Friday) [FB event]
World News [The Chosen EP release show!] (MIMICO / Blue Light / Mouth Breather) / The Baby G 2020-04-11 (Saturday) [FB event]
Kiwi Jr. (Ducks Unlimited / For Keeps / The Barnkats) / The Garrison 2020-05-01 (Friday) [FB event]
Jon Mckiel [Bobby Joe Hope You've Changed Records LP release!] (Heaven For Real / Triples) / Monarch Tavern 2020-05-08 (Friday) [FB event]
The AMBiENT PiNG's Drone Day (feat. dreamSTATE) / Roland Inspiration Centre 2020-05-30 (Saturday – free!) [FB event]
Negativland (Brian Ruryk) / Paradise Theatre 2020-07-23 (Thursday) [more info]
Artist: MJ Wright/Sterling MacKenzie/Aidan Hughes
Song: [excerpt]
Recorded at Array Space (Audiopollination 80), February 8, 2020.
MJ Wright/Sterling MacKenzie/Aidan Hughes - [excerpt]After some quieter excursions, this night ended on a noisier note with this trio offering some abrasive, distorted textures. Thanks to Wright's percussion, there was still a clattering groove here, making this a rather pleasing exploratory noise-rock ramble.
You can also check out some visual documentation of this set over on the Audiopollination youtube channel:
[Audiopollination returns to Array Space on Saturday, March 14th with another self-curated night including sounds from Rick Sacks/John Oswald/David Sait, Nicholas Cooper/Del Stephen/Kalia Lenaghan, Ryan Kinney and Avant-Gardeners, and Tiina Kiik/David Story/styrofoamNosebleedPrincess.]
Artist: Dimitar Pentchev/Michael Palumbo/Brittany Craig
Song: [first piece]
Recorded at Array Space (Audiopollination 80), February 8, 2020.
Dimitar Pentchev/Michael Palumbo/Brittany Craig - [first piece]Another one of those unlikely combinations that Audiopollination is so good at facilitating, this set mixed saxophone and piano with modular synth in a surprisingly-simpatico way. Michael Palumbo is quite interested in using his modular setup as a less-intrusive background element when interacting with acoustic instruments and picks his moments carefully here. Meanwhile, Pentchev's piano work was pleasingly off-kilter — in this segment you can hear one of his ping pong balls bouncing off the piano's strings and tap-tap-tapping as it rolls across the floor.
You can also check out some visual documentation of this set over on the Audiopollination youtube channel:
[Michael Palumbo is exploring some community-friendly electronic vibes at his east-end Exit Points series, which will return to Hirut restaurant on Monday, March 23rd. Audiopollination returns to Array Space on Saturday, March 14th with another self-curated night including sounds from Rick Sacks/John Oswald/David Sait, Nicholas Cooper/Del Stephen/Kalia Lenaghan, Ryan Kinney and Avant-Gardeners, and Tiina Kiik/David Story/styrofoamNosebleedPrincess.]
Artist: Paul Newman/Dan Pitt/Maggie Keogh
Song: [excerpt]
Recorded at Array Space (Audiopollination 80), February 8, 2020.
Paul Newman/Dan Pitt/Maggie Keogh - [excerpt]Some quieter explorations from this trio, with Pitt's nylon-string guitar, Keogh's vocals and piano and Newman's tenor sax layering together in a really complementary way.
You can also check out some visual documentation of this set over on the Audiopollination youtube channel:
[Paul Newman will be launching a new duo album with Brian Abbott at The Tranzac on Saturday, March 14th. Audiopollination returns to Array Space on Saturday, March 14th with another self-curated night including sounds from Rick Sacks/John Oswald/David Sait, Nicholas Cooper/Del Stephen/Kalia Lenaghan, Ryan Kinney and Avant-Gardeners, and Tiina Kiik/David Story/styrofoamNosebleedPrincess.]
Artist: Future Proof
Song: [third piece]
Recorded at Array Space (Audiopollination 80), February 8, 2020.
Future Proof - [third piece]This trio of Raphael Roter, Bea Labikova and Claire Yunjin Lee was at the start of a flurry of activity revolving around doing some recordings that'll hopefully emerge soon in album form. Both Lee's piano and Labikova's sax were future-proofed with some technological embellishment, adding some subtle effects shadings to broaden their palette.
You can also check out some visual documentation of this set over on the Audiopollination youtube channel:
[Both Claire Yunjin Lee and Bea Labikova will be performing next week (March 5th and 8th, respectively) at the amazing Women From Space Festival. Audiopollination returns to Array Space on Saturday, March 14th with another self-curated night including sounds from Rick Sacks/John Oswald/David Sait, Nicholas Cooper/Del Stephen/Kalia Lenaghan, Ryan Kinney and Avant-Gardeners, and Tiina Kiik/David Story/styrofoamNosebleedPrincess.]
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