Artist: Eliza Niemi
Song: Walking Feels Slow
Recorded at The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), October 9, 2022.
Eliza Niemi - Walking Feels Slow
Opening things up for the Holy Oak Family Singers songwriters' circle, Eliza Niemi just brought voice and cello and some songs from her recent Staying Mellow Blows album, filled with plainspoken slice-of-life observations.
Founded as a blog about one curmudgeon's love affair with the em dash, Mechanical Forest Sound has grown to become a community-based archive of local musical culture. Assuming that "independent music" isn't just boys with guitars and "culture" isn't just some sort of pageant, MFS is an investigation of a wide range of artists, reflecting on concerts as shared experiences, acts of citizenship and a chance to get down — fuzzy photographs and clear-sounding original live recordings a specialty.
Current manifestations of this project include Track Could Bend, a monthly concert series featuring "improvised music and weird rock offshoots", presented in a casual environment.
At one point I wrote full-on concert reviews, and for longer I thought I would catch up and write about shows in the past. But these days, because of, y'know, life, do not expect much in the way of full show reviews — but live recordings with blurbs will be posted as quickly after the fact as is feasible.
Check out my original live recordings from many of the gigs discussed here.
You can also check out full sets uploaded to the Live Music Archive. [not currently active]
N.B.: All recordings should be available & playable. If you come across any broken links, invisible or non-functioning players, etc, please leave a comment and I will tend to it ASAP.
ALSO N.B.: I'm perpetually on the lookout for a new place to stash my MP3's online. If you know of any place that allows a couple gigs of stuff to be openly linked to for streaming, drop me a line!
All comments are welcome, or you can reach me at mechanicalforestsound@gmail.com.
All MP3's on this blog are audience recordings shared as a reminder of the excitement of seeing live music. If you are an artist who doesn't want their music shared in this way, please contact me and I shall remove it forthwith.
If you're so inclined, you can also follow me on Twitter: @TowerofBabbling
Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!
Colin Fisher Quartet [Colin Fisher/Aline Homzy/Josh Cole/Jeff Luciani] / The Emmet Ray 2024-04-23 (Tuesday – 6 p.m.). $10-15. [more info]
Wenderly Park [album release celebration!] (Friends of Wenderly Park feat. Marilyn Yogarajah/Bea Labikova/Allison Cameron/Mike Lynn/Jason Doell) / The Sun Room at 918 Bathurst 2024-04-23 (Tuesday). $pwyc. [FB event]
Shakespeare's Birthday (feat. Sweet Session [Randi Helmers/Rob Clutton]) / Sellers & Newel 2024-04-23 (Tuesday). $20 minimum donation. [FB event]
Escote (Output 1:1:1 / Flake) / See-Scape 2024-04-23 (Tuesday) [FB event]
John Millard’s Hope Street [John Millard/Rob Clutton/Chris Pruden] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-23 (Tuesday)
Lipliners 4th Wednesday of the month residency (feat. Ronley Teper & The Lipliners) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-24 (Wednesday) [FB event]
Moon King [Roses album release party] (Lee Paradise) / Monarch Tavern 2024-04-25 (Thursday). $19.56, 19+. [FB event]
Joe's 50th Birthday (feat. Eucalyptus / Isla Craig + band / Colin Fisher) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2024-04-25 (Thursday). $pwyc/$15 (or more), notaflof. [FB event]
Karen Ng Presents (feat. Marilyn Lerner/Matt Brubeck Duo) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-25 (Thursday). $pwyc. [more info]
All-Set! Presents (feat. Molehill) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-26 (Friday – early). $pwyc. [more info]
Exit Points 48 (feat. bridge of sand/Isaiah Farahbakhsh/Sohrab Malekzadeh/Mira Martin-Gray/Brian Abbott / shn shn/Rakkatak/Bijan Sepanji/Ronley Teper/Michael Palumbo / Switchemups!) / Array Space 2024-04-26 (Friday). $20 advance, $25 door. [FB event]
The Ryan Driver Sextet / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-26 (Friday). $pwyw
Din VII: Museum of Quiet Sounds ["This pop-up sound museum features 10 musical exhibits, each taking place in a different space of the venue simultaneously. Similar to an art gallery, audience members will be free to walk around, talk quietly, drink beverages, and enter/ exit throughout the show."] (feat. Interro Quartet / Clover Ensemble / ék / Duo Holz / Grace Scheele / Wesley Shen / Hillary Jean Young / Sara Constant) / The Music Gallery 2024-04-26–27 (Friday–Saturday). $0-20 PWYCA [Pay What You Can Afford], all ages. [FB event]
Dan Pitt Quintet [Naomi McCarroll-Butler/Patrick Smith/Alex Fournier/Nick Fraser/Dan Pitt] / The Rex 2024-04-28 (Sunday) [FB event]
Art of Improv presents (feat. Eugene Martynec/Bill McBirnie/Bill Gilliam / Gayle Young) / Annette Studios 2024-04-28 (Sunday). $20/pwyc. [FB event]
Happy Sundays (feat. Sunglaciers / Alex Fernz / Uh Huh) / The Baby G 2024-04-28 (Sunday). $free, 19+. [FB event]
Jon McKiel (Louie Short) / The Baby G 2024-04-29 (Monday). $29.98. [FB event]
Dan Pitt Quintet [Naomi McCarroll-Butler/Patrick Smith/Alex Fournier/Nick Fraser/Dan Pitt] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-29 (Monday) [FB event]
Nick Fraser presents (feat. Pierre-Yves Martel Ephemera [solo modular synthesizer + harmonium] / Pierre-Yves Martel/Nick Fraser/Karen Ng) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-30 (Tuesday). $pwyc.
Holy Oak Family Singers present (feat. Holy Oak Family Singers & Veda Hille) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-01 (Wednesday – early!)
Glories of the German Romantic Era (feat. The Tallis Choir) / St. Patrick's Church 2024-05-04 (Saturday). $30 General, $25 Seniors, $10 Students. [FB event]
Camille Léon presents: Agave (feat. The John Denver Airport Conspiracy /Wedding) / Burdock Music Hall 2024-05-06 (Monday). $15. [more info]
Track Could Bend #91 (feat. TH6Ø [debut live performance!] / Olivia Shortt / Brian Abbott) / Wenona Lodge 2024-05-07 (Tuesday). $pwyc. [FB event]
ChamberDestroy [premieres of works by Nicole Lizee and Yaz Lancaster alongside pieces by Louis Andriessen and Julius Eastman] (feat. Ensemble Paramirabo & Thin Edge New Music Collective) / The Music Gallery 2024-05-07 (Tuesday). $tba. [more info]
Westelaken / Bar Orwell Owl's Club 2024-05-08 (Wednesday)
People places records presents (feat. Yaz Lancaster [solo] / Yaz Lancaster/Andrew Noseworthy/Sara Constant) / The Tranzac (Living Room) 2024-05-08 (Wednesday). $22.89. [FB event]
CMC Presents (feat. tUkU x bUdi) / Canadian Music Centre 2024-05-09 (Thursday). $15 Advance, $20 at the door; CMC Members and Arts Workers: $12 Advance, $15 at the door; Students. $10 anytime. [more info]
What Is: Spirituality (As Connection) [vibrotactile sound installation, ASMR and hypnosis + neurological-centered, psychoacoustic performance] (feat. Amma Ateria / Erin Gee / Leon Louder) / The Music Gallery 2024-05-09 (Thursday). $10-20 PWYCA [Pay What You Can Afford], all ages. [more info]
Beams [Requiem for a Planet album release show] (Pelican Movement / Zinnia) / The Garrison 2024-05-09 (Thursday). $18.86, 19+. [FB event]
What Is: Spirituality (As Laughter) – Sound Bath (feat. Laraaji & Arji OceAnanda / New Chance Peaceful Mind) / The Music Gallery 2024-05-10 (Friday). $10-20 PWYCA [Pay What You Can Afford], all ages. [more info]
Batuki Music Society presents (feat. Okavango African Orchestra) / Hugh's Room 2024-05-10 (Friday). $32.73. [FB event]
Audiopollination (feat. Dave Nelson/Paul Newman/Piers Oolvai / David MacDonald/Isabelle Méline/Saba Saneinejad / Michael Palumbo/Arnd Jurgensen/Stone He / Kayla Milmine/Anita Katakka/Isiah Naveed Farabakhsh) / Array Space 2024-05-10 (Friday). $10 [cash or card] (or PWYC/ free if you are lacking funds). [FB event]
PDA & More Noise Please present (feat. Jute / God of Gaps / Stashole / Murmur / Trauma Dump) / Bar Orwell Penny's 2024-05-10 (Friday) [more info]
Welcome to Hipsville (feat. Ichi-Bons / The Kewpie Dolls / The Slow Drags / Fuzz Vultures / Thee Rogue Telstars) / Owl's Club 2024-05-11 (Saturday). $25. [FB event]
What Is: Spirituality (As Sharing) ["The beloved album 10 Ragas to a Disco Beat is reimagined"] (feat. Gurpreet Chana / Granny Smith / Anuja Panditrao / Marilyn Yogarajah / David Psutka / Nilan Perera / Hardeep Chana / Naomi McCarroll-Butler / Araz Salek / Peter Rahul / Enzo Sun / Lian McMillan / Rajvi Dedhia / Bhavajan Kumar / Dainty Smith) / The Music Gallery 2024-05-11 (Saturday). $15-25 PWYCA [Pay What You Can Afford], all ages. [more info]
Christina Petrowska Quilico [Games of the Night Wind album release, featuring nocturnes by David Jaeger] / Canadian Music Centre 2024-05-15 (Wednesday). $free with RSVP. [more info]
Dun-Dun Band [Pita Parka Pt. I: Xam Egdub LP release show!] (Allison Cameron/Mira Martin-Gray/Josh Cole) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2024-05-16 (Thursday). $25. [FB event]
Opa Yallah / Burdock Music Hall 2024-05-18 (Saturday). $15. [FB event]
Small World Music presents (feat. Saami Brothers Qawwali) / The Creative School Chrysalis (Toronto Metropolitan University Theatre) 2024-05-18 (Saturday). $33.28-$86.53. [FB event]
L CON (James Irwin) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-24 (Friday) [FB event]
Batuki Music Society presents (feat. Zale Seck) / Alliance Française Toronto – Spadina Theatre 2024-05-25 (Saturday). $18. [info/tickets]
Lipliners 4th Wednesday of the month residency (feat. Ronley Teper & The Lipliners) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-29 (Wednesday) [FB event]
Julie Doiron (Carson McHone) / Monarch Tavern 2024-06-06 (Thursday). $31.17, 19+. [FB event]
The Ship String Quartet [Rob Clutton/Aline Homzy/Tilman Lewis/Nilan Perera] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-06-09 (Sunday – early) [FB event]
Freesound presents Vortex Temporum [works by Gérard Grisey and Wesley Shen] (feat. Freesound Ensemble) / Array Space 2024-06-20&21 (Thursday & Friday) [FB event]
Lipliners 4th Wednesday of the month residency (feat. Ronley Teper & The Lipliners) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-06-26 (Wednesday) [FB event]
Etran de L'Aïr / Longboat Hall 2024-07-07 (Sunday). $30.52, 19+. [FB event]
2024 Gigs
Track Could Bend #87 (feat. SOUP/ Panties / battle milk) / Wenona Lodge 2024-01-02 (Tuesday)
Swanherds [rebecca bruton solo] (Kurt Newman) / 918 Bathurst – The Sun Room 2024-01-23 (Tuesday)
Track Could Bend #88 (feat. Écureuil / Garden of Magic) / Wenona Lodge 2024-02-06 (Tuesday)
Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Ayal Senior & Kurt Newman / Eiyn Sof / Colin Fisher / Nick Flanagan) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-02-11 (Sunday)
Track Could Bend #89 (feat. mutepack / Piers Oolvai) / Wenona Lodge 2022-03-05 (Tuesday)
Women From Space Festival: Night 2 (feat. Grace Scheele / MOCH / Mali Obomsawin) / 918 Bathurst 2024-03-09 (Saturday)
Women From Space Festival: Night 3 (feat. Anh Phung/chiquitamagic/Emjay Wright / Val Jeanty & Nickeshia Garrick / Matana Roberts/Germaine Liu/Nicole Rampersaud) / 918 Bathurst 2024-03-10 (Sunday)
Faster Presents: Juice?$#%* (feat. Happy Apple / Brian Abbott & Ryan Kinney / Andrew Kay/Kayla Milmine/Bob Vespaziani / Liz Lima/Brodie West/Andrew Kay/Paul Newman) / Gerrard Art Space 2024-03-23 (Saturday)
Ryan Driver’s Big 5-0 (feat. The Ryan Driver Sextet + guests) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2024-03-30 (Saturday)
Cosmic Homeostasis XXIII / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-03-31 (Sunday)
Gabe Girard presents (feat. Zoë / Molehill / Heraclitus Akimbo/Gabe Girard/mkl32) / Bar Orwell 2024-03-31 (Sunday)
Track Could Bend #90 (feat. Voidfemmes & Erin Corbett / Allison Cameron & Stephen Parkinson) / Wenona Lodge 2024-04-02 (Tuesday)
Eclipse Drone 2024: A Cosmic Homeostasis Community Event (feat. Cosmic Homeostasis) / Christie Pits 2022-04-08 (Monday)
Dun-Dun Land: Slight Return (feat. Dun-Dun Band) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-09 (Tuesday)
Josh Cole Presents (feat. Rob Clutton/Josh Cole/Nick Fraser/John Oswald wsg Colin Fisher) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-09 (Tuesday)
Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Tzevi Sherman / Marilyn Yogarajah & Co. / Nick Flanagan / Ayal Senior & Kurt Newman) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-14 (Sunday)
Poncili Creacion with Karen Ng and Philippe Melanson (Nubuo Kubota) / The Music Gallery 2024-04-19 (Friday)
Tranzac Fundraiser I (feat. Sandro Perri & Friends / Masahiro Takahashi / Anne Bourne) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2024-04-20 (Saturday)
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