Recording: chik white

Artist: chik white

Songs: [two pieces]

Recorded at the Canadian Music Centre (Riparian Acoustics/CMC Presents), November 21, 2019.

Chik White - [second piece]

Chik White - [last piece]

This edition of the CMC's Nick Storring-curated concert series presented two musicians drawing inspiration from nature and applying that to very different sonic realms. Darcy Spidle (who performs as chik white) has been sharing the sounds of West Chezzetcook via his field recordings, and his relationship with the ocean at his front door also deeply informs his performance practice with the jaw harp. Unlike the last time I saw him, Spidle has shifted to a standing pose, adding a sense of coiled energy to his performance — and possibly a hint of stand-up comedy as well, as he embraces the ludicrous sounds that his throat and mouth can generate even as he deals with the physical damage his chosen instrument can cause.

This webstream of this full concert is still available to peruse in the CMC's archive:

You can also revisit the talk that Spidle gave about his artistic practice — as well as the history of the jaw harp — on the day before this concert:

[The Riparian Acoustics/CMC Presents season continues on Thursday, January 23rd, featuring Rebecca Bruton & the return of Brodie West and Evan Cartwright's duo Ways.]

Recording: Chik White

Artist: Chik White

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Ratio (Decreation – Night 4), June 10, 2017.

Chik White - unknown

Given the internal and external pressures that come to bear, it's no surprise that no DIY space lasts forever. It still made it a sad occasion to learn that Ratio was winding down its active presence, news leavened slightly with the corresponding announcement of a series of farewell shows, with many artists making a final return to the space. Known as the founder of Divorce Records and Halifax's Obey Convention, Darcy Spidle's arrival at Ratio felt like a state visit from an ambassador of Halifax's thriving DIY scene. Self-consciously warning the crowd, "it's a little ludicrous" before beginning, he presented a set of mouth-sounds, mixing vocal grunt/mutters with outside-the-box jaw-harp sproinging. Sometimes sounding like a man in a losing battle with asphyxia, there is indeed a certain amount of melodramatic goofiness involved — but Spidle never treated it as camp. No surprise that Paul Dutton was spotted in the crowd taking this in — Spidel is definitely following that horseman's path.

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