Monday Roundup #220

Concert announcements:

SaltChunkJerry [album release show/40th b-day party] (Man Made Hill / Greydini / Shaaane) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2025-04-12 (Saturday). $pwyc

Art of Improv (feat. Christine Duncan & Eugene Martynec / Christine Duncan/Bill Gilliam/Eugene Martynec / Christine Duncan & The Element Choir) / Annette Studios 2025-04-13 (Sunday). $20/pwyc. [more info]

Cassiar Records presents (feat. John Oswald/Josh Cole/Rob Clutton/Nick Fraser) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-15 (Tuesday). $15/pwyc. [more info]

Elastic Recordings presents (feat. Bryn Roberts Trio [Bryn Roberts/Dan Fortin/Fabio Ragnelli with special guests: Allison Au (April 17)/Kelly Jefferson (April 18)/Michael Davidson (April 19)]) / The Rex 2025-04-16–19 (Wednesday–Saturday). $16 & up. [FB event]

LAKE (Marker Starling / Bernice) / The Garrison 2025-04-22 (Tuesday). $24.11, 19+. [FB event]

Dinner Party: A new opera by Holger Schoorl (feat. Scott Gabriel/Elizabeth Lima/Holger Schoorl/Randi Helmers) / Array Space 2025-05-28 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!

---

Shows this week:

The Music Gallery presents (feat. Turntable Trio [Maria Chavez/Evicshen/Mariam Rezaei] / Kristina Guison) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2024-03-31 (Monday). $10 (members), $15-$25 PWYC. [more info]

A Tiny Drop of Peace [Brian Abbott/Paul Newman] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-03-31 (Monday). $pwyc. [FB event]

Justin Orok presents (feat. Rebecca Campbell + Strings [Rebecca Campbell/Else Langhans/Ted Crosby/Patrick O'Reilly/Justin Orok/Patrick Dilkie/Andrew Downing/Ambrose Veno/WIlliam Lamoureux/Tiffany Wu/Clara Nguyen-Tran/Jill Sauerteig]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-01 (Tuesday – early) [more info]

Track Could Bend #103 [Co-presented with Ministry of Phonic Services] (feat. Maebh Clark & Lucas Dvorsky / Aliyah Aziz & %%30%30) / Wenona Lodge 2025-04-01 (Tuesday). $pwyc. [FB event]

Not Dead Yet presents (feat. Eiko Ishibashi / Sweet Lips) / The Garrison 2025-04-01 (Tuesday). $45.11, 19+. [more info/tickets]

Peripheral Vision] (The Clearing [Kayla Milmine/Jonathan Kay/Nick Fraser/Patrick O’Reilly]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-04-01 (Tuesday) [more info]

Holy Oak Family Singers present the music of Ron Hynes (feat. Robin Dann/Justin Orok/Josh Cole/Ivy Mairi/Jessie Kussin/Ed Squires/John Power/Charles Spearin/Luka Kuplowsky/Caitlin Woelfle O’Brien/Joseph Shabason/Rachel Bobbit) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-04-02 (Wednesday – early) [more info]

Harry Bartlett's Mountain Air [Harry Bartlett/Aline Homzy/Andrew Downing] / Sellers and Newel 2025-04-02 (Wednesday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]

S.A.M. trio [Miles Cakebread-Kraus/Steven Norohna/Aidan Mcconnell] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-04-02 (Wednesday) [more info]

stef.in [Icterus II LP Release!] (Animatist / Adversarial Networks) / Monarch Tavern 2025-04-03 (Thursday). $20, 19+. [FB event]

Corpusse / Sellers and Newel 2025-04-04 (Friday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]

Garlic Jr. (Body Butter / Tommy Tone / Battle Milk) / Low Bar 2025-04-04 (Friday). $10

Pit Scum / Decoy Bar 2025-04-04 (Friday). $10/pwyc

xodkaar (SUV / britney cage) / Collective Arts 2025-04-04 (Friday). $15 at the door / no one turned away. [FB event]

TONE presents: (feat. Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio / The Titillators) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2025-04-04 (Friday). $22.89 advance / $25 door. [FB event]

Ministry of Phonic Services presents (feat. Allison Cameron / Naomi McCarroll-Butler / Aida Khorsandi) / Allan Gardens 2025-04-04 (Friday). $15. [tickets/more info]

Nona Invie & Nat Harvie [performing solo and duo] (Cots / DM Stith) / The Root Down Studio 2025-04-04 (Friday). $free with RSVP. [FB event]

Alex Samaras & Friends [Alex Samaras/Lauren Falls/Matt Newton/Dave French/Phil Melanson] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-04 (Friday) [more info]

TONE presents (feat. Tara Clerkin Trio / Slow Attack Ensemble / Potions) / Collective Arts 2025-04-05 (Saturday). $22.89, 19+. – POSTPONED [FB event]

Ambient soundscapes for babies to adults (feat. LordAUK / A L M A / Jessica Deutsch) / 918 Bathurst (Sunroom) 2025-04-06 (Sunday – 3 p.m.). $22.63 adults/children free, all-ages/family friendly. [more info/tickets]

Mike DeiCont Trio [Mike DeiCont/Eric West/Leland Whitty] / The Rex 2025-04-06 (Sunday) [FB event]

Michael Davidson's Adjacent Spheres / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-04-06 (Sunday) [more info]

---

It happened this week...

• ...on April 1, 2010 at Lee's Palace.

Hospital Ships - I Want It to Get Out

• ...on April 3, 2010 at The Horseshoe.

Love is All - False Pretense

[Do remember that you can click on the tags below to go back and find the original posts (and often, more stuff) from these artists.]

Recording: Del Stephen's Totoloto

Artist: Del Stephen's Totoloto

Song: [Totoloto excerpt]

Recorded at Wenona Lodge (Track Could Bend #102), March 4, 2025.

Del Stephen's Totoloto - [Totoloto excerpt]

The recently-repatriated Del Stephen brought a song to play and some poems to read, as one might expect, but the heart of this set embraced some new explorations. Several generations of technology ago, one readily-available means of computer storage was the humble cassette tape — with data transformed into audible binary bursts. This was never something that was meant to be heard like a tape would normally be — but what to do when the tape lingers long after the accompanying tech has faded? "Time to sing a new kind of song" is the answer offered here.

You can check out some more from this set over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend will be back at Wenona on Tuesday night (April 1st) with a special co-presentation with Ministry of Phonic Services presenting sets from Maebh Clark & Lucas Dvorsky and Aliyah Aziz & %%30%30.]

Recording: M.D.N.R.

Artist: M.D.N.R.

Song: [2nd piece]

Recorded at Wenona Lodge (Track Could Bend #102), March 4, 2025.

M.D.N.R. - [2nd piece]

Some delightful sounds and nimble interplay from this pairing of percussionist Nate Robertson and and pianist Max Donaldson. The latter had his electronic keyboard in tow, allowing for some different keyboard sounds to emerge, such as the sweet electric piano sounds on the track heard here as well as some synth-y pads to close out the set.

You can check out some more from this set over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend will be back at Wenona on Tuesday night (April 1st) with a special co-presentation with Ministry of Phonic Services presenting sets from Maebh Clark & Lucas Dvorsky and Aliyah Aziz & %%30%30.]

Monday Roundup #219

Community notes:

• Word on the street is that the Dakota Tavern isn't re-opening, so add one more to the list of defunct Toronto music venues. I wasn't a regular, but I liked the room and saw some pretty cool shows there! (Check out down below for some of my memories.)

photo by Jen Haslett via David McPherson

---

Concert announcements:

A Tiny Drop of Peace [Brian Abbott/Paul Newman] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-03-31 (Monday). $pwyc. [FB event]

Not Dead Yet presents (feat. Eiko Ishibashi / Sweet Lips) / The Garrison 2025-04-01 (Tuesday). $45.11, 19+. [more info/tickets]

Harry Bartlett's Mountain Air [Harry Bartlett/Aline Homzy/Andrew Downing] / Sellers and Newel 2025-04-02 (Wednesday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]

stef.in [Icterus II LP Release!] (Animatist / Adversarial Networks) / Monarch Tavern 2025-04-03 (Thursday). $20, 19+. [FB event]

Corpusse / Sellers and Newel 2025-04-04 (Friday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]

Ministry of Phonic Services presents (feat. Allison Cameron / Naomi McCarroll-Butler / Aida Khorsandi) / Allan Gardens 2025-04-04 (Friday). $15. [tickets/more info]

Audiopollination (feat. Zack Goldstein/Dave Nelson/Janel Jones / Jamie Eriksen/Mike Filippov/Saba Saneinejad / Bill Gilliam/Jonnie Bakan/Zoë Alexis-Abrams / Turtle Pleasure) / Array Space 2025-04-11 (Friday). $10 cash or card, livestream available. [FB event]

Stranger Still [Pete Johnston/Mim Adams/Randi Helmers/Rob Clutton] / 918 Bathurst (Sun Room) 2025-04-13 (Sunday – 3 p.m.). $20 or PWYC

More Noise Please! Presents: The Ecstasy Of Noise (feat. Ritual Purification / Fussing / Eric Baylies / Brian Ruryk & %%30%30 / Auto Feeder) / The No No Room at the Dock Ellis 2025-04-17 (Thursday) [more info]

Avalon Tassonyi (Westelaken / Jo Passed) / The Baby G 2025-04-17 (Thursday). $24.11, 19+. [FB event]

Elisa Thorn & Laura Swankey / Sellers and Newel 2025-04-19 (Saturday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]

Sarah Greene with Paul Kolinski & Michael Herring (Shawn Durkin) / Sellers and Newel 2025-04-23 (Wednesday). $20 minimum donation. [FB event]

Mole Mountain and Isla Craig [Remembered In Exile: Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia release celebration!] [Mike Smith/Jake Oelrichs/Pete Johnston/Isla Craig/Andrew Killawee + guests] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-04-25 (Thursday – early). $pwyc.

Brittany Pitt & Evan Tighe / Sellers and Newel 2025-05-06 (Tuesday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]

The Lina Allemano Four [Lina Allemano/Andrew Downing/Brodie West/Nick Fraser] / Sellers and Newel 2025-05-10 (Saturday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]

Ladyfinger [Diane Roblin & Kayla Milmine] / Sellers and Newel 2025-05-14 (Wednesday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]

Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!

---

Shows this week:

Clue Note: Trivia Night and Creative Music [note: no trivia this time!] (feat. Rob Clutton/Bea Labikova/Mira Martin-Gray/Doug Tielli/Kevin Turcotte/Mark Zurawinski) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-03-25 (Tuesday – early) [more info]

Nick Fraser presents (feat. Nick Fraser's Special Topics [Nick Fraser/Kae Murphy/Max Stover/Josh Cole]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-03-25 (Tuesday) [more info]

Nosferatu: silent film with a live score! (feat. The Kupenta Singers/The Hybrid Ensemble/the DOG ensemble) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2025-03-26 (Wednesday). $pwyc. [more info]

Ronley Teper & the Lipliners / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-03-26 (Wednesday) [more info]

Ministry of Phonic Services presents BPM: the Big Percussion Meeting (feat. _53d8ZxP / Aidan McConnell / Jaz Tsui / Louis Pino / Mateos Labbé-Phelan / Raphael Roter) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-03-27 (Thursday). $pwyc. [more info]

Exit Points #58 (feat. Behnoosh Behnamnia/Doris Du/Kimia Farokhzad/Zack Goldstein/Brank Oh! / Kristine White/Joel Ong/Piers Oolvai/Aisha Sasha John/Michael Palumbo / Switchemups) / Array Space 2025-03-28 (Friday). $15 early bird / $20 adv / $25 door. [FB event]

---

It happened this week...

• ...on December 16, 2009 at The Dakota Tavern (The Old Soul's 8th Anniversary Christmas Show).

The Old Soul - Let's Neck

• ...on April 5, 2011 at The Dakota Tavern.

Daniel Romano - Knowing That You're Mine

• ...on December 23, 2012 at The Dakota Tavern.

catl - 5 Miles

• ...on September 19, 2013 at The Dakota Tavern (September residency – Week 3),.

Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet - Fortune Tellin' Chicken / Plastics For 500, Bob / Customized

• ...on October 10, 2019 at The Dakota Tavern.

Pernice Brothers - The Weakest Shade of Blue

[Do remember that you can click on the tags below to go back and find the original posts (and often, more stuff) from these artists.]

Recording: Carded Ensemble

Artist: Carded Ensemble

Songs: [two excerpts]

Recorded at Walter Hall, February 24, 2025.

Carded Ensemble - [excerpt 1]

Carded Ensemble - [excerpt 2]

"Carded", Patrick O'Reilly's ongoing compositional project, has been a work-in-progress for a few years now, taking blank playing cards and turning them into handmade improvisational cues. The cards can be dispatched in various ways, from dealing performers a hand, to (as was the case here) giving each player a full custom deck with the instruction to turn over and interpret a new card every minute.

That, with the addition of timed solo spots for each of the participants, gave enough structure to keep a nine-piece ensemble from tripping into chaos and too-muchness. It also fosters a genuine sense of play, both in the novel interpretations required and in the act of occasionally passing cards around to share a cue. This particular incarnation of Carded was even more deeply collaborative, as the decks of cards used by the nine performers were each made by nine guest "composers".

The ensemble for this performance was:

• Patrick O'Reilly: guitar and pedals
• Samuel Little, double bass
• amiel ang: vibes, gong, music stand
• Samuel Laramee: synths and piano
• Omar Yazaw: saxophone
• Leah Reavster: saxophone
• Brendan Beaton: trumpet
• %%30%30: percussion
• Annie Elgie: balloons, voice

Monday Roundup #218

Concert announcements:

Clue Note: Trivia Night and Creative Music (feat. Rob Clutton/Bea Labikova/Mira Martin-Gray/Doug Tielli/Kevin Turcotte/Mark Zurawinski) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-03-25 (Tuesday – early) [more info]

Ministry of Phonic Services presents BPM: the Big Percussion Meeting (feat. _53d8ZxP / Aidan McConnell / Jaz Tsui / Louis Pino / Mateos Labbé-Phelan / Raphael Roter) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-03-27 (Thursday). $pwyc. [more info]

Exit Points #58 (feat. Behnoosh Behnamnia/Doris Du/Kimia Farokhzad/Zack Goldstein/Brank Oh! / Kristine White/Joel Ong/Piers Oolvai/Aisha Sasha John/Michael Palumbo / Switchemups) / Array Space 2025-03-28 (Friday). $15 early bird / $20 adv / $25 door. [FB event]

Leucrocuta (SUV / britney cage) / Collective Arts 2025-04-04 (Friday). $15 at the door / no one turned away. [FB event]

Mike DeiCont Trio [Mike DeiCont/Eric West/Leland Whitty] / The Rex 2025-04-06 (Sunday) [FB event]

Tranzac Fundraiser IV (feat. Dorothea Paas Band / Raf Reza / C'est La Fête) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2025-04-10 (Thursday). $28.27, 19+. [more info/tickets]

FACS (Noble Rot / Natural Light) / The Dance Cave 2025-04-12 (Saturday). $28.19, 19+. [FB event]

Trés Bien Ensemble (Doc Pickles) / The Mezz 2025-04-18 (Friday) [FB event]

Labyrinth Ensemble with Âriâ Mohâfez / Aga Khan Museum 2025-05-03 (Saturday). $40 Regular, $36 Friends of Aga Khan Museum, $30 Students and Seniors. [more info]

Cola (Jane Inc.) / The Garrison 2024-07-18 (Friday). $31.51, 19+. [FB event]

Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!

---

Shows this week:

Harley Card Trio [Harley Card/Dan Fortin/Ethan Ardelli] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-03-17 (Monday) [more info]

Freesound Presents: Music for Solo Instruments #1 (feat. Michael Murphy / Amahl Arulanandam / Matti Pulkki) / Array Space 2025-03-20 (Thursday). $22.63. [FB event]

CMC Presents (feat. DOG Ensemble [wrangled by Patrick O’Reilly]) / Canadian Music Centre – Chalmers Performance Space 2025-03-20 (Thursday). $15 Advance / $20 at the door ($12 Advance / $15 at the door for CMC Members and Arts Workers; $10 students). [more info]

Battle Milk (But Worse / New Time More Words) / The Tranzac (Living Room) 2025-03-20 (Thursday). $pwyc (suggested $5). [more info]

Spheres of Southworth: Equinox Egg-Spiritus (feat. John Southworth & Friends) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-03-21 (Friday – early) [more info]

Acid Baby Jesus (The John Denver Airport Conspiracy) / The Sound Garage 2025-03-21 (Friday). $28.98, 19+. [FB event]

Long Winter 13.4 (feat. SLASH NEED / Secret Sign / Arc&Texture / Edmund Stay) / St. Anne's Parish Hall 2025-03-21 (Friday). $pwyc, all-ages. [more info]

Freesound presents (feat. Transsonic / Jason Doell) / Array Space 2025-03-22 (Saturday). $22.63. – postponed until fall [FB event]

Not Dead Yet Presents (feat. Kali Malone) / Trinity St. Paul's 2025-03-22 (Saturday). $43.35/$48.39, all ages. [more info]

Basic [Chris Forsyth/Douglas McCombs/Mikel Patrick Avery] / The Sound Garage 2025-03-22 (Saturday). $28.98, 19+. [FB event]

Long Winter 13.5 (feat. Roach / SO TIRED / Dynesti / Leevisa) / St. Anne's Parish Hall 2025-03-22 (Saturday). $pwyc, all-ages. [more info]

Cosmic Homeostasis XXVII / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-03-23 (Sunday – noon). $pwyc, family-friendly. [FB event]

Freesound Presents: Music for Solo Instruments #2 (feat. Michael Murphy / Amahl Arulanandam / Matti Pulkki) / Array Space 2025-03-23 (Sunday). $22.63. [FB event]

---

It happened this week...

• ...on March 17, 2012 at Placebo Space.

Maica Mia - Jonny-o

• ...on March 23, 2012 at Saving Gigi (Lazy Afternoon showcase).

Marine Dreams - Yet To See The Sun

[Do remember that you can click on the tags below to go back and find the original posts (and often, more stuff) from these artists.]

Recording: Many People

Artist: Many People

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at Wenona Lodge (Music Hosted by Karen Ng: A fundraiser show for Earlobe), February 18, 2025.

Many People - [excerpt]

This musical concept from Karen Ng continues to evolve from its origins as a massive horn section — though that's still at the heart of it, percussion and other noises are now increasingly incorporated, making the performances more akin to swelling jams than lingering zones. This particular instance of the group was convened to celebrate the launch of Earlobe, the new website/mailing list "listing experimental music and sound art events happening in Toronto", three of whose organizers were performing. The full ensemble was:

• Karen Ng - alto sax
• Maxwell Stover - tenor sax
• Marilyn Yogarajah - trumpet
• Heather Saumer - trombone
• Fahmid Nibesh - guitar
• Heraclitus Akimbo - electronics
• Kieran Maraj - bass
• %%30%30 - percussion
• Germaine Liu - percussion
• Mark Zurawinsky - percussion

You can check out some more from this set over on youtube:

Recording: Holger Schrool & Mark Zurawinski

Artist: Holger Schoorl & Mark Zurawinski

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Wenona Lodge (Music Hosted by Karen Ng: A fundraiser show for Earlobe), February 18, 2025.

Holger Schoorl & Mark Zurawinski - unknown

This pairing opened up this night at Karen Ng's Wenona residency with surprising intensity — Holger Schoorl may not play as insistently quietly as he once did, but I don't think I've previously ever seen him rock the heck out.

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

Recording: Kuplowsky/Ng/Davison

Artist: Luka Kuplowsky/Karen Ng/William Davison

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at 918 Bathurst (Track Could Bend #100), February 16, 2025.

Luka Kuplowsky/Karen Ng/William Davison - [excerpt]

Track Could Bend will be having its tenth anniversary in April — although given how time got weird for a while there and the series took fourteen months off, it seems like a slightly ambiguous mark for celebration. This big round number, however, felt like the right opportunity to mark a special occasion. In the beforetimes, TCB marked its anniversaries with special events, gathering the folks who had played over the previous year and drawing names from a hat to construct some spontaneous new combos. I had the notion to scale that up and duly invited back everyone who had ever played the series — over three hundred performers! — for an afternoon and evening of fun.

As fate would have it, the long-planned-for day came with a monumental snowstorm, so the inability to get around kept some folks at home. And yet, this event still saw twenty-one performers take the stage, duly selected from the hat and sorted into seven trios. As is often the case, these instant bands made some gorgeous sounds, showing off the ability of TCB's community to adapt, co-operate and thrive. A fun time had was had by many — a fitting launch to the next ten years.

The day closed out with this strikingly cinematic encounter, with William Davison's (MFS#2, 26, 47, 63) objects and electronics adding an abrasive backdrop to Luka Kuplowsky's (MFS#34) piano and voice and Karen Ng's (MFS# 7, 19, 38, 51, 55, 68, 93) saxophone.

You can check out the full set over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend will be back at Wenona Lodge, its usual home, on April 1st in a special co-presentation with Ministry of Phonic Services presenting sets from Mira Martin-Gray & Sierra Weston and Wilderness Adventure Ride.]

Recording: Peebles/Estacio/Alexander

Artist: Sarah Peebles/Kat Estacio/Danny Alexander

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at 918 Bathurst (Track Could Bend #100), February 16, 2025.

Sarah Peebles/Kat Estacio/Danny Alexander - [excerpt]

Track Could Bend will be having its tenth anniversary in April — although given how time got weird for a while there and the series took fourteen months off, it seems like a slightly ambiguous mark for celebration. This big round number, however, felt like the right opportunity to mark a special occasion. In the beforetimes, TCB marked its anniversaries with special events, gathering the folks who had played over the previous year and drawing names from a hat to construct some spontaneous new combos. I had the notion to scale that up and duly invited back everyone who had ever played the series — over three hundred performers! — for an afternoon and evening of fun.

As fate would have it, the long-planned-for day came with a monumental snowstorm, so the inability to get around kept some folks at home. And yet, this event still saw twenty-one performers take the stage, duly selected from the hat and sorted into seven trios. As is often the case, these instant bands made some gorgeous sounds, showing off the ability of TCB's community to adapt, co-operate and thrive. A fun time had was had by many — a fitting launch to the next ten years.

Scratchy and percussive and teasing out feedback just under the surface, this trio was nicely sympatico. Sitting on a row on the stage floor, Danny Alexander's (MFS#89) guitar moved alongside Kat Estacio's (MFS#32, 86) gongs and Sarah Peebles' (MFS debut) cracklebox and hand percussion.

You can check out the full set over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend will be back at Wenona Lodge, its usual home, on April 1st in a special co-presentation with Ministry of Phonic Services presenting sets from Mira Martin-Gray & Sierra Weston and Wilderness Adventure Ride.]

Recording: Labikova/Martin-Gray/Saumer

Artist: Bea Labikova/Mira Martin-Gray/Heather Saumer

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at 918 Bathurst (Track Could Bend #100), February 16, 2025.

Bea Labikova/Mira Martin-Gray/Heather Saumer - [excerpt]

Track Could Bend will be having its tenth anniversary in April — although given how time got weird for a while there and the series took fourteen months off, it seems like a slightly ambiguous mark for celebration. This big round number, however, felt like the right opportunity to mark a special occasion. In the beforetimes, TCB marked its anniversaries with special events, gathering the folks who had played over the previous year and drawing names from a hat to construct some spontaneous new combos. I had the notion to scale that up and duly invited back everyone who had ever played the series — over three hundred performers! — for an afternoon and evening of fun.

As fate would have it, the long-planned-for day came with a monumental snowstorm, so the inability to get around kept some folks at home. And yet, this event still saw twenty-one performers take the stage, duly selected from the hat and sorted into seven trios. As is often the case, these instant bands made some gorgeous sounds, showing off the ability of TCB's community to adapt, co-operate and thrive. A fun time had was had by many — a fitting launch to the next ten years.

Capable of melodious harmonizing, this all-star trio instead veered into slyly-warbly twitters with Mira Martin-Gray's (MFS#34, 58, 79, 95) noisemakers calling out to Bea Labikova's (MFS#33, 56, 69, 99) saxophonic squawks and the piano/percussion of Heather Saumer's (MFS#21, 30) homing beacons.

You can check out the full set over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend will be back at Wenona Lodge, its usual home, on April 1st in a special co-presentation with Ministry of Phonic Services presenting sets from Mira Martin-Gray & Sierra Weston and Wilderness Adventure Ride.]

Recording: Roter/Constant/Gilliam

Artist: Raphael Roter/Sara Constant/Bill Gilliam

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at 918 Bathurst (Track Could Bend #100), February 16, 2025.

Raphael Roter/Sara Constant/Bill Gilliam - [excerpt]

Track Could Bend will be having its tenth anniversary in April — although given how time got weird for a while there and the series took fourteen months off, it seems like a slightly ambiguous mark for celebration. This big round number, however, felt like the right opportunity to mark a special occasion. In the beforetimes, TCB marked its anniversaries with special events, gathering the folks who had played over the previous year and drawing names from a hat to construct some spontaneous new combos. I had the notion to scale that up and duly invited back everyone who had ever played the series — over three hundred performers! — for an afternoon and evening of fun.

As fate would have it, the long-planned-for day came with a monumental snowstorm, so the inability to get around kept some folks at home. And yet, this event still saw twenty-one performers take the stage, duly selected from the hat and sorted into seven trios. As is often the case, these instant bands made some gorgeous sounds, showing off the ability of TCB's community to adapt, co-operate and thrive. A fun time was had by many — a fitting launch to the next ten years.

Wonderful stuff here, with the formalisms of Sara Constant's (MFS#71, 87, 95) flute and Bill Gilliam's (MFS#55) prepared piano riding along with Raphael Roter's (MFS#99) intuitive synth pads.

You can check out the full set over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend will be back at Wenona Lodge, its usual home, on April 1st in a special co-presentation with Ministry of Phonic Services presenting sets from Mira Martin-Gray & Sierra Weston and Wilderness Adventure Ride.]

Recording: McPhedran/Bailey/Richards

Artist: Ian McPhedran/James Bailey/Tom Richards

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at 918 Bathurst (Track Could Bend #100), February 16, 2025.

Ian McPhedran/James Bailey/Tom Richards - [excerpt]

Track Could Bend will be having its tenth anniversary in April — although given how time got weird for a while there and the series took fourteen months off, it seems like a slightly ambiguous mark for celebration. This big round number, however, felt like the right opportunity to mark a special occasion. In the beforetimes, TCB marked its anniversaries with special events, gathering the folks who had played over the previous year and drawing names from a hat to construct some spontaneous new combos. I had the notion to scale that up and duly invited back everyone who had ever played the series — over three hundred performers! — for an afternoon and evening of fun.

As fate would have it, the long-planned-for day came with a monumental snowstorm, so the inability to get around kept some folks at home. And yet, this event still saw twenty-one performers take the stage, duly selected from the hat and sorted into seven trios. As is often the case, these instant bands made some gorgeous sounds, showing off the ability of TCB's community to adapt, co-operate and thrive. A fun time was had by many — a fitting launch to the next ten years.

Cool dynamics here, with Ian McPhedran's (MFS#3, 20) prepared guitar grounding horn sounds from the peripatetic James Bailey (MFS#12, 78, Bata Shoe Museum) and the piano-stabbing Tom Richards (MFS#29, Bata Shoe Museum, 92).

You can check out the full set over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend will be back at Wenona Lodge, its usual home, on April 1st in a special co-presentation with Ministry of Phonic Services presenting sets from Mira Martin-Gray & Sierra Weston and Wilderness Adventure Ride.]

Recording: Stephen/Sheahan/Hamilton

Artist: Del Stephen/Danny Sheahan/Phil Hamilton

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at 918 Bathurst (Track Could Bend #100), February 16, 2025.

Del Stephen/Danny Sheahan/Phil Hamilton - [excerpt]

Track Could Bend will be having its tenth anniversary in April — although given how time got weird for a while there and the series took fourteen months off, it seems like a slightly ambiguous mark for celebration. This big round number, however, felt like the right opportunity to mark a special occasion. In the beforetimes, TCB marked its anniversaries with special events, gathering the folks who had played over the previous year and drawing names from a hat to construct some spontaneous new combos. I had the notion to scale that up and duly invited back everyone who had ever played the series — over three hundred performers! — for an afternoon and evening of fun.

As fate would have it, the long-planned-for day came with a monumental snowstorm, so the inability to get around kept some folks at home. And yet, this event still saw twenty-one performers take the stage, duly selected from the hat and sorted into seven trios. As is often the case, these instant bands made some gorgeous sounds, showing off the ability of TCB's community to adapt, co-operate and thrive. A fun time was had by many — a fitting launch to the next ten years.

Things turned noisy with this grouping, Phil Hamilton (MFS#20, 32, 78, 87, 98) providing the abrasive textures, and nudging the recently-repatriated Del Stephen (MFS#21, 53, 62, 79, 81, 102) to follow suit, cranking up the tapes and keyboard sproings while Danny Sheahan (MFS#40, 95) added percussive responses from the piano and other implements.

You can check out the full set over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend will be back at Wenona Lodge, its usual home, on April 1st in a special co-presentation with Ministry of Phonic Services presenting sets from Mira Martin-Gray & Sierra Weston and Wilderness Adventure Ride.]

Recording: Craig/Nibesh/Iaffaldano

Artist: Isla Craig/Fahmid Nibesh/Michelangelo Iaffaldano

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at 918 Bathurst (Track Could Bend #100), February 16, 2025.

Isla Craig/Fahmid Nibesh/Michelangelo Iaffaldano - [excerpt]

Track Could Bend will be having its tenth anniversary in April — although given how time got weird for a while there and the series took fourteen months off, it seems like a slightly ambiguous mark for celebration. This big round number, however, felt like the right opportunity to mark a special occasion. In the beforetimes, TCB marked its anniversaries with special events, gathering the folks who had played over the previous year and drawing names from a hat to construct some spontaneous new combos. I had the notion to scale that up and duly invited back everyone who had ever played the series — over three hundred performers! — for an afternoon and evening of fun.

As fate would have it, the long-planned-for day came with a monumental snowstorm, so the inability to get around kept some folks at home. And yet, this event still saw twenty-one performers take the stage, duly selected from the hat and sorted into seven trios. As is often the case, these instant bands made some gorgeous sounds, showing off the ability of TCB's community to adapt, co-operate and thrive. A fun time was had by many — a fitting launch to the next ten years.

The day lead off with this vocals-forward trio, Isla Craig (MFS#4, 18) singing and Michelangelo Iaffaldano (MFS#45, 84) grumbling over some percussive textures from Fahmid Nibesh (MFS#67, 78, 79).

You can check out the full set over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend will be back at Wenona Lodge, its usual home, on April 1st in a special co-presentation with Ministry of Phonic Services presenting sets from Mira Martin-Gray & Sierra Weston and Wilderness Adventure Ride.]