Recording: HEX

Artist: HEX

Song: Cannibalistic

Recorded at Artscape Daniels Spectrum (Venus Fest), September 30, 2017.

HEX - Cannibalistic

The idea of a "feminist music festival" might bring to mind an earnest folkie gathering, maybe off in a forest somewhere, but this first annual event was nothing like that, using inclusive and intersectional ideals as guideposts to programming a day of wide-ranging musics. The brainchild of local musician Aerin Fogel, Venus Fest was an ambitious undertaking, presenting a dozen performances in Daniels Spectrum's spacious multi-purpose Regent Park digs. And it all came together quite wonderfully, highlighting a diverse slate of mostly local musicians and incorporating flourishes like Vanessa Rieger's live-mixed visuals. With this first festival completed, there's a new "sessions" series starting up, and lots of energy to build on the positive vibes this day released.

Running for nearly eleven hours, the day started early by rock'n'roll standards, but the first part had really strong programming. I was definitely eager to be on hand for the first set of the day to check in with HEX's howling guitars and ripping songs. Confident enough to ease in with with a slow-burner before unveiling their phosphorus-tipped fangs on this one, this got the day started with the right kind of energy.

[The Venus Fest sessions series begins tonight (November 2nd) at the Gladstone Hotel, presenting sets from Tasseomancy and Dorothea Paas. HEX will be performing at the Benefit Show for D-Beatstro on Sunday night (November 5th).]

Recording: HEX

Artist: HEX

Song: She Feels It^*

Recorded at The Gladstone Hotel's Melody Bar (Long Winter 5.4), March 24, 2017.

HEX - She Feels It

Long Winter ended its abbreviated, roving season with a return to The Gladstone, filling the second floor with art and the Ballroom and Melody Bar with ping-ponging live sets. When I saw this trio last summer, I noted they were exhibiting a composure and attitude beyond their years. A little further on, that has amped up into headliner feral magnetism, getting the night's loudest cheers and largest number of dropped jaws.

[You can check out some video footage of the night over at Brandon Caswell Douglas' youtube playlist. HEX will be playing at Hooded Fang's record release celebration, Thursday, June 15th at the Horseshoe Tavern.]

^* Thanks to Kritty for passing along the title to this one!

Recording: HEX

Artist: HEX

Song: Always Me^*

Recorded at Artscape Gibraltar Point (Camp Wavelength), August 20, 2016.

HEX - Always Me

Following and expanding on the template of last year's successful festival, Wavelength returned to the island with a meticulously-executed event that included an exciting range of music and a beach full of art beside festival headliner Lake Ontario. It also managed to be a stress-reducing rather than a stress-inducing time — rather like a weekend at the cottage, even if the city was just out of view.

Campers got a rock'n'roll wake up call to start Saturday with an energy jolt from bad-ass trio HEX. Another inspiring product of Girls Rock Camp, it almost does a disservice to point out these players' youth, as there was nothing lacking in their composure or attitude, bringing a Sleater-Kinney-ish guit-guit-drums lineup and some of Babes in Toyland's canabalistic howl.

[HEX will be playing Smiling Buddha alongside Beige and Sigil (a new project with members of Frigs/HSY) on Thursday, September 15th.]

^* Thanks to Kritty for passing along the title to this one!