Recording: Regina Gently

Artist: Regina Gently

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Monarch Tavern (Fundraiser Show for Mexico & Puerto Rico), November 9, 2017.

Regina Gently - unknown

A life in rock'n'roll gives many chances for rebirths and reinventions, so while the 2008 version of me would have been excited at the idea of a fundraiser featuring members of Forest City Lovers, Spiral Beach, Gentleman Reg and Magneta Lane, the 2017 version of me was perhaps more excited to see these musicians brimming with the energy of new music and new ideas. Organized by LOLAA to raise funds to rebuild Puerto Rico after hurricane Maria and Mexico after the earthquakes, there was a lot of positive energy all around throughout the night.

"It's been a long time, baby," says Regina in this track, one in a full set of new material. Even with the retiring of the Light Fires moniker and the consolidation of all stage and song endeavours under one name, the new tunes (including this one which sounds like a club remix of a Hedwig number) had more of the the same high-kicking energy.

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

Recording: Light Fires

Artist: Light Fires

Song: Bumble Bee [Meryn Cadell cover]

Recorded at SummerWorks Festival – Lower Ossington Theatre Cabaret ("Do I Have To Do Everything My Fucking Self?"), August 15, 2015.

Light Fires - Bumble Bee

Get fabulous! Remounting and revamping a production that originally debuted at this year's Rhubarb Festival, Regina took over the L.O.T.'s cabaret space for a multi-night run. The show mixed songs, poems, and sassy talk, just as the presentation was a mix of sophisticated glamour, D.I.Y. moxie and a boy standing in front of the mirror, modelling his mother's scarf while his parents are away.

Director Adam Lazarus did an admirable job of stripping away any distractions, keeping the focus on the star on stage. Topics ranged from farmers' markets, to Meryn Cadell, to Charlie's Angels and beyond, as the borders between Regina and creator Reg Vermue dissolved away during reminiscences about growing up in Guelph. This was fun and energetic throughout, never losing momentum. Long may Regina reign!

Recording: Light Fires

Artist: Light Fires

Song: I Like to Work

Recorded at 159 Manning ("NXNE: M for 159 Manning"), June 20, 2014.

Light Fires - I Like To Work

You can read my quick notes for this set here.

Recording: Light Fires

Artist: Light Fires (feat. Katie Ritchie)

Song: Dependent

Recorded at The Piston, August 1, 2013.

Light Fires - Dependent

Full review to follow. Celebrating the release of her debut album Face, Regina the Gentlelady pulled out all the table-climbing, high-kicking stops. The whole night was a worthy sweaty party to mark the occasion. And as a bonus, for this track (which shows up on the album as a duet with Owen Pallett) Regina was joined by Katie Ritchie (once of The Organ, currently playing in queer feminist cock-rockers Vag Halen).

Recording: Light Fires

Artist: Light Fires

Song: Last Of His Kind^*

Recorded at Pride Toronto (South Stage), June 28, 2013.

Light Fires - Last Of His Kind

Full review to follow. Moving up from her Pride debut a couple years ago on the Altera-Queer stage, Regina the Gentlelady showed that blondes do have more fun with a boomin', high-kickin' set on the big stage. Pride is a time for celebration and remembrance, which makes this tribute (possibly to Will Monroe?) a suitable anthem.

Do note there are a couple dance-related flaws in the recording here — to get Regina in full high-kickin' fidelity, you'll have to come to the Light Fires album release. The official announcement hasn't dropped yet, but I have it on good authority you should be heading to The Piston on August 1st.

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

Recording: Light Fires

Artist: Light Fires

Song: The Better

Recorded at The Great Hall ("Long Winter, Vol. 3"), January 11, 2013.

Light Fires - The Better

Full review to follow. Although Fucked Up are an international touring machine, they still maintain strong links to their hometown — roots that are replenished through events like this monthly series of pay-what-you-can curated shows, which bring together music from diverse scenes alongside food, art and installations to engage the senses. There was a really positive vibe and everything was meticulously organized. The lineup for the final instalment (February 8, 2013) is insanely stacked, so don't miss out on it.

Regina the Gentlelady has been expanding on the Light Fires concept for a little while now, but with a full-length on the way, it was a joy to quickly see her win over a room of strangers. Pushing the limits, she quite literally climbed the walls, fearlessly leapt up on suspiciously-shaky looking tables and air-drummed with abandon — a high-kicking total entertainment package.

Recording: Light Fires

Artist: Light Fires

Song: Let's Get Divorced

Recorded at Sonic Boom Records (Record Store Day Celebration), April 16, 2011.

Light Fires - Let's Get Divorced

My notes for this set can be found here.

Recording: Light Fires

Artist: Light Fires

Song: If You're Bored

Recorded at Pride Toronto (Alterna-Queer Stage), July 3, 2011.

Light Fires - If You're Bored

I always like to check out what's going down at Pride's Alterna-Queer stage, which always features some up-and-coming talent. The only complete set I managed to catch today was Gentleman Reg's electronic side-project, where he features his alter ego Regina Gentlelady. Regina was full of leg-kickin' energy today in this top-notch set, with dancing and wardrobe malfunctions. I don't know the name of this soon-to-be-released single, but as Regina says, soon it'll be everywhere. Edit: now I know, and you can check out the single here