Recording: Absolutely Free

Artist: Absolutely Free

Song: On The Beach

Recorded at The Drake Underground, April 10, 2013.

Absolutely Free - On The Beach

Full review to follow.

Recording: Absolutely Free

Artist: Absolutely Free

Songs: "The Army Chases Klaatu" [excerpt from a live, improvised score to The Day The Earth Stood Still] + unknown^*

Recorded at The Electric Theatre/Double Double Land, January 12, 2013.

Absolutely Free with Carl Didur - "The Army Chases Klaatu"

Absolutely Free - unknown

Full review to follow. Celebrating the release of their UFO/Glass Tassle 12", the band put together a full night of entertainment. The triple-header started at the intriguing Electric Theatre — in the former Kensington location of Bread and Circus, now reconfigured into a proper live theatre venue, complete with movie-style seats. The band were joined by Carl Didur to improvise a live score to the 1951 sci-fi classic The Day The Earth Stood Still. I thought this might just have meant an opportunity to jam out while the movie played behind them, but it was tackled with attentive sympathy, meant to highlight the film and not just riff on it.

Then the night moved down the street, where the band played their "regular" set at Double Double Land, crammed onto the tiny stage. After that, the action returned to the Theatre to screen the band's video for "UFO", followed by a kitschy-fun party, the crowd climbing up on the stage to dance to some classic videos of yesteryear.

^* I think I know which song this is, but my notes are a little unclear, and I don't want to pass the wrong title along. Please leave a comment if you can confirm the title.

Recording: CTRL Phreak

Artist: CTRL Phreak

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Candle Recording Studio, November 2, 2012.

CTRL Phreak - unknown

Full review to follow. This solo excursion from Absolutely Free's Jordan Holmes bridged the gap from Brr's soundscapes to the nightcapping danceparty by routing his keyb + beats combo via the planetarium, moving things from cosmic to funky. This worked really well — hopefully we'll see more from this project.

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

Recording: Absolutely Free

Artist: Absolutely Free

Song: Clothed Woman Sitting^*

Recorded at Artscape Gibraltar Point (ALL CAPS! Festival), August 12, 2012.

Absolutely Free - Clothed Woman Sitting

Full review to follow. you can check out my quick notes for the festival here.

^* Thanks to Elena for pointing out the title to this one.

Recording: Absolutely Free

Artist: Absolutely Free

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Polyhaus (Feast in the East 15), July 15, 2012.

Absolutely Free - unknown

Full review to follow. After the tasty vegetarian curry — the event's titular feast is not merely metaphorical — the bands took the stage backed by some cool lo-tech projected visuals — all a part of the art/music/community experience at Feast in the East. Having outgrown its old digs at the Dickens Street Theatre, Polyhaus is a fine step up for the series and well-suited to this kind of show.

Given how long these guys have been working together, it shouldn't have surprised at how quickly they've gelled as a unit in Absolutely Free. Word is that the band's first release will be coming out in September, so you should definitely have a chance to check 'em out then.

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

Recording: Absolutely Free

Artist: Absolutely Free

Song: Triangle^*

Recorded at Comfort Zone (CMW 2012), March 24, 2012.

Absolutely Free - Triangle

Full review to follow. My quick notes for this set can be found here.

^* Thanks to the band for passing the title to this one along.

Recording: DD/MM/YYYY

Artist: DD/MM/YYYY

Song: Sky Burial

Recorded at 918 Bathurst Centre, November 10, 2011.

DD/MM/YYYY - Sky Burial

Full review to follow. "We are DD/MM/YYYY — forever... and ever. Fuck what you think is an ending and what you think is a beginning. We started right now and we end right now..."