Artist: Colin Fisher
Song: [percussion solo excerpt]
Recorded at Le Monde, May 22, 2026.
Colin Fisher - [percussion solo excerpt]
Coming at this solo set without preconceptions and prepared to use the tools at hand, Colin Fisher sent a vibe out to Milford Graves and spent most of it behind the drumkit, listening to/sending out pulsebeats.
You can check out some more from this set over on youtube:
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 Bluesky @mfs-toronto.bsky.social
Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!
The New Symphony Orchestra [album release show] [Zack Goldstein/Ben Rositsan/Arie Verheul Van de Ven/Connor Crone/Ben Mike/Crescenzo DiCecco/Bjorn Kriel/Grace Scheele/Owen Kurtz] (Owen Kurtz [solo]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-06-22 (Monday). $pwyc ($20 recommended). [more info]
No Octopus Dancing / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-06-23 (Tuesday – early). [more info]
Cadence Weapon and the Forager Band / The Cameron House 2026-06-23 (Tuesday). $25. [FB event]
Sarah Greene's bday show (feat. Sarah Greene/Paul Kolinski/Michael Herring / Rory Lavelle) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-06-24 (Wednesday – early). $pwyc. [more info]
TONE presents (feat. Setting / High Alpine Hut Network / Shabason/Gunning) / The Jama 2025-06-24 (Wednesday). $22.89, 19+. [FB event]
About This, It Was Not Yet Written (feat. Ronley Teper/Myk Freedman/Dave Clark) / Sellers and Newel 2026-06-24 (Wednesday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]
VIVID presents (feat. Forming / bikebike / Different Dream) / BSMT254 2025-06-24 (Wednesday). $15 or pwyc, 19+. [more info]
Lauchlin Wood/Tania Gill/Brent Tanemura/Colin Cudmore / Water to Wine 2026-06-25 (Thursday – 5:30 p.m.). $24.76. [more info]
TONE presents (feat. The Ex / not a band / Andy Moor & Yannis Kyriakides) / Cafeteria Upstairs 2025-06-25 (Thursday). $39.02, all ages. [FB event]
Imaginary North presents: Lake Effect Album Release Show ["16 musicians performing in impromptu groupings and ensembles to create entirely new music"] (feat. Adrian Berry and Ely Lyonblum/Arie Verheul van de Ven/anthéne/Ben McCarthy with Tax Haven/dreamSTATE/Drones Over Dufferin/Gollden/inchoate/Kilometre Club/R Grunwald/W L C/ÏÏÏ) / Tapestry 2025-06-25 (Thursday). $15.75. [tickets + more info]
The Tania Gill/Chris Banks Trio [Tania Gill/Chris Banks/Nico Dann/Maxwell Stover] / The Jazz Bistro 2025-06-26 (Friday – 5 p.m.). $15. [more info]
All-Set! Presents (feat. Tania Gill/Lina Allemano/Mike Smith/Jake Oelrichs) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-06-26 (Friday – early). $pwyc/notaflof. [more info]
Small World Music Festival (feat. Aqua's Red Rhythm & Blues / Qawwali / Zamira Lacosta) / Mabelle Park 2025-06-26 (Friday). $free, outdoors, family-friendly + pet-friendly. [more info]
Project Nowhere presents (feat. Sook-Yin Lee [72RHR album release!] / bridge of sand / Kali Horse / Salon Perfomance [Karen Ng/Lee Suksi/Stevie Manning/Bee Solomon]) / The Baby G 2026-06-26 (Friday). $30.55, 19+. [FB event]
Exit Points #73 (feat. Yvan Sheremetieff/littleindia/Michael Palumbo / MJ C./Adam Venter/Henry Paterson/Alison Viegas/Ria Kapoor / Switchemups) / Array Space 2025-06-26 (Friday). $22.89 (advance), $28.27 (general). [more info]
The Ryan Driver Sextet / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-06-26 (Friday) [FB event]
Small World Music Festival (feat. Mir Kashif Iqbal & Bahar Atish / Sam-r / Amadou Kienou) / Mabelle Park 2025-06-27 (Saturday). $free, outdoors, family-friendly + pet-friendly. [more info]
Composer's Workshop Concert [Composer Mentor: Allison Cameron, newly created compositions by Alexandra Gorlin-Crenshaw, Jack Langdon, Garrett Niall, and Kaitlin White] (feat. The Freesound x Array Collective) / Array Space 2026-06-27 (Saturday – 3 p.m.). $20.00 (or PWYW). Livestream: $10.00 (or PWYW). [FB event]
The CONTXT Residency (feat. tUkU beY & bUdi) / CONTXT by Trane 2026-06-28 (Sunday – 1 p.m.). $15 (advance tickets), $25 (door). [tickets + more info]
Caution Wet Floor Signs [Yoshi Maclear Wall / Dame Cook / Will Hunt / Alex McPherson / Mark Gerlai] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-06-28 (Sunday – 2:30 p.m.). [more info]
Small World Music Festival (feat. Trash Panda Brass / Amely and Roa / Mohsin Zaman / TAYOW & Waleed Abdulhamid) / Mabelle Park 2025-06-28 (Sunday). $free, outdoors, family-friendly + pet-friendly. [more info]
Sympathetic String Band & Friends (feat. Sympathetic String Band / Colin Fisher) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-06-28 (Sunday – early). $pwyc. [more info]
Art of Improv (feat. Andrew Timar & Cheryl O / Andrew Timar/Cheryl O/Eugene Martynec/Bill Gilliam) / Marilyn Lerner) / Annette Studios 2026-06-28 (Sunday). $20/PWYC. [FB event]
Sonomadic Improv presents (feat. Dorky & Best [Germaine Liu & co/] / The Wrinkles Experiment [conducted improvisation led by Kayla Milmine]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-06-29 (Monday). $pwyc. [FB event]
Solitary Shrew (feat. Ella Güdel / Sweet Osmanthus) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-06-30 (Tuesday – early). $pwyc ($10 suggested). [more info]
The Cluttertones [Lina Allemano/Rob Clutton/Ryan Driver/Tim Posgate] / Wenona Lodge 2026-06-30 (Tuesday). $pwyc. [more info]
Nick Fraser presents (feat. Aidan McConnell/Karen Ng/Adrian Russouw) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-06-30 (Tuesday). [more info]
Lavventura [debut live performance and That Particular Charm release celebration! ] (Paul Linklater) / The Piston 2026-07-02 (Thursday). @22.90. [tickets + more info]
Humbucker Music Residency (feat. Humbucker Music [Nick Storring/Jason Doell/Colin Cudmore/Mira Martin-Gray] / Allison Cameron & Scott Thomson [Platanus album release show!]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-07-03 (Friday). $pwyc. [FB event]
Beetsblog (Thom Gill / Andre Ethier with Eliza Niemi) / Dina's Tavern 2026-07-05 (Sunday) [more info]
Track Could Bend #118 (feat. Ubersuck [Kayla Milmine + Germaine Liu] / Doug Tielli & Mike Gennaro) / Wenona Lodge 2026-07-07 (Tuesday). $pwyc. [FB event]
Project Nowhere presents (feat. Yoo II avec Nolan Potter / Colin Fisher) / The Garrison 2026-07-09 (Thursday). $32.31, 19+. [FB event]
Toronto Improvisers Orchestra / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-07-12 (Sunday – noon). $pwyc. [more info]
The CONTXT Residency (feat. tUkU beY & bUdi) / CONTXT by Trane 2026-07-12 (Sunday – 1 p.m.). $15 (advance tickets), $25 (door). [tickets + more info]
Ayal Senior and Friends [Ayal's on tour edition with guest host: Joe Strutt] (feat. Country Phasers / Meggie Remy / Nick Flanagan) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-07-12 (Sunday – 2:30 p.m.). $pwyc. [FB event]
Labyrinth Ontario presents: Makam Nights (feat. Lamia Yared & Araz Salek) / The Tranzac (Living Room) 2026-07-16 (Thursday). $pwyc. [FB event]
The CONTXT Residency (feat. tUkU beY & bUdi) / CONTXT by Trane 2026-07-19 (Sunday – 1 p.m.). $15 (advance tickets), $25 (door). [tickets + more info]
Styrofoam Winos (Eliza Niemi / Roy) / The Baby G 2026-07-19 (Sunday). $20.01, 19+. [tickets + more info]
Not Dead Yet presents: A Benefit for PARC) (feat. 9 Million / S.H.I.T. / Siyahkal / Duchess / Diatribe) / Parkdale Hall 2026-07-23 (Thursday). $34.92 (general admission), $23.28 (student), $69.83 (pay it forward). [tickets + more info]
The Fiver Trois / Dina's Tavern 2025-07-24 (Friday) [more info]
Jennifer Castle (Potions) / The Garrison 2025-07-25 (Saturday). $44.81, 19+. [tickets + more info]
Shapeshifter [record launch! [Brittany Pitt/Dan Pitt/Aidan McConnell] / Sellers and Newel 2026-09-04 (Friday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]
Mateos Labbe-Phelan/Max Stover/Ian Afif / Sellers and Newel 2026-09-05 (Saturday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]
William Hunt [solo piano live recording] / Sellers and Newel 2026-09-12 (Saturday). $15 minimum donation. [more info]
The Mike Milligan Trio [Mike Milligan/Nick Fraser/Brodie West] / Sellers and Newel 2026-09-19 (Saturday). $25 minimum donation. [more info]
Ladyfinger [Diane Roblin & Kayla Milmine] / Sellers and Newel 2026-09-25 (Friday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]
Triio [Alex Fournier/Bea Labikova/Lazar Miric/Tom Fleming/Racha Moukalled/Stefan Hegerat] / Sellers and Newel 2026-09-29 (Tuesday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]
2026 Gigs
Tania Gill presents (feat. Victor Bateman/Brodie West/Nico Dann) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-01-02 (Friday)
The Silt / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-01-02 (Friday)
Track Could Bend #112 (feat. Duo BEAK / Vividness Trio) / Wenona Lodge 2026-01-06 (Tuesday)
Toronto Improvisors Orchestra / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-01-11 (Sunday)
Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Senior & Newman / Nick Flanagan / Aaron Knight / Azaria / Charter of the Forest) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-01-11 (Sunday)
ur audio visual presents (feat. Heraclitus Akimbo / Charter of the Forest) / The Sun Room @ 918 Bathurst 2026-01-18 (Sunday)
Track Could Bend #113 (feat. OH GEE / Ryan Kinney) / Wenona Lodge 2026-02-03 (Tuesday)
Toronto Improvisers Orchestra / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-02-08 (Sunday)
Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Ayal Senior & Kurt Newman / Destroya / Nick Flanagan / Roya/Marilyn/Ayal / Ayal Senior) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-02-08 (Sunday)
Bad Baby and Mayme Joach (Fan Wu / Colleen Coco Collins) / Burdock Music Hall 2026-02-08 (Sunday)
Music Hosted by Karen Ng (feat. Max Stover/Mateos Labbé-Phelan/Andrew Furlong/Karen Ng) / Wenona Lodge 2026-02-17 (Tuesday)
Rapallo (Marker Starling) / Dina's Tavern 2025-02-21 (Saturday)
Earlobe fundraiser (feat. Many People) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-02-26 (Thursday)
coexisDance #113 (feat. New Chance / Rachana Joshi / Sid Eillers / Brandon Davis / Kayla Milmine / Brendan Swanson / Rowan-Muriel / Joel Lawrence) / Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre 2026-02-28 (Saturday)
Eliza Niemi (Shep. Treasure / Westelaken) / Dina's Tavern 2026-03-01 (Sunday)
Track Could Bend #114 (feat. Bill Gilliam / Scallions / Tap slap wind and light) / Wenona Lodge 2026-03-03 (Tuesday)
Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Senior & Newman / Lostworldsounds / Nick Flanagan / Nocturnes / Ayal Senior) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-03-08 (Sunday)
International Women's Day (feat. Tania Gill/Aline Homzy/Karen Ng/Brittany Pitt/Mira Riselli) / Sellers & Newel 2026-03-08 (Sunday)
Ben Mike & The Beatles (Down Town) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-03-14 (Saturday)
Cosmic Homeostasis XXXI / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-03-29 (Sunday)
Track Could Bend #115 (feat. Brian Abbott & Paul Newman / Ben Mike & Owen Kurtz) / Wenona Lodge 2025-04-07 (Tuesday)
Kurt Newman presents Post-Bluegrass Bluegrass (feat. Isla & The Sorry Brothers) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-04-09 (Thursday)
Sonomadic Improv presents (feat. the clearing / Happy Apple) / Annette Studios 2025-04-12 (Sunday)
Josh Cole: new works for improvising musicians (feat. Aline Homzy/Nick Storring/John Oswald/Owen Kurtz/Josh Cole) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-04-13 (Monday)
Sympathetic String Band & Friends (feat. Sympathetic String Band / Gayle Young) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-04-26 (Sunday)
Not Dead Yet presents (feat. The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis / Yr Knives) / 918 Bathurst 2026-05-02 (Saturday)
Track Could Bend #116 (feat. the rest / Wobbly + John Oswald / Red Trillium) / Wenona Lodge 2026-05-05 (Tuesday)
Holy Oak Family Singers presents: Our Parents' Tapes (feat. Luka Kuplowsky/Tiffany Wu/Isla Craig/Justin Orok/Edwin De Goeij/Fan Wu/Aiden McConnell/Ivy Mairi/Carlyn Bezic/Robin Dann/Ben Gunning/Bram Gielen) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-05-06 (Wednesday)
Potions & Strings (Dun-Dun Man) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-05-06 (Wednesday)
Musica Universalis (feat. C'est la fête Large Ensemble) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-05-08 (Friday)
Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Ayal Senior & Kurt Newman / JOYSHAPE / Ryan Dugre / Nick Flanagan) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-05-10 (Sunday)
Cosmic Homeostasis XXXII / The Tranzac (Living Room) 2026-05-17 (Sunday)]
Playscape Emporium: Paint, Play (feat. Duo Cichorium/Constant Yen/ Rowan Campbell/Charlee Wielgoz/Fahmid Nibesh/Joe Strutt/Mira Martin-Gray) / Array Space 2026-05-21 (Thursday)
Wenderly Park (Colin Fisher / Isla Craig) / Le Monde 2026-05-22 (Friday)
Ministry of Phonic Services presents (feat. Ben Rempel & Justin Gunter / Not the Wind, Not the Flag / Doug Tielli & Mike Gennaro) / Bickford Park 2026-05-24 (Sunday)
Life Drawing (feat. Cosmic Homeostasis) / Riverdale Park 2026-05-31 (Sunday)
Prepare the Ground Festival (feat. William Basinski) / Trinity-St. Paul's Centre 2026-05-31 (Sunday)
Track Could Bend #117 (feat. saucering / Colin Fisher/William Hunt/Jack Johnson/Cal Adam) / Wenona Lodge 2025-06-02 (Tuesday)
Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Ayal Senior/Nathan Yell/Marilyn Yogarajah / David Sait / Nick Flanagan / Nathan Yell) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-06-14 (Sunday)
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