Recording: Bong Water

Artist: Bong Water

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Bellvue Square Park (All Toronto's Parties 2), May 24, 2014.

Bong Water - unknown

Full review to follow. The first ATP show brought together bands selected by five different live music purveyors in a cool mix'n'match marathon. Upping the ante, the follow-up not only threw together some one-off recombinant bands, but also took its daytime sets to the streets and shops of Kensington market.

Sprawled out on a blanket at the west end of the park — over by Al Waxman — this combination of HVYWTR and Skull Bong managed to integrate themselves into the environment rather than imposing themselves on it. Playing quietly enough not to overpower the park's other patrons, this was a sort of general outdoor ambient field. Both of these groups are fairly flexible in the sorts of sounds they can generate, but this hewed a bit closer to HVYWTR's abstract dancefloor-isms than Skull Bong's hazy bricolages.

You can also check out some more pictures from the day on the MFS facebook page.

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

Recording: Skull Bong

Artist: Skull Bong

Song: Master Blaster [excerpt]

Recorded at The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), February 8, 2014.

Skull Bong - Master Blaster [excerpt]

Full review to follow. WHO RUNS BARTERTOWN? The powers-that-be did their best to suppress this music, but a single copy has made its way out. If you want to know what Skull Bong sounds like, hold this image in your mind: Skull Bong is like a stick of incense whose burnt end melts the compact disc it was affixed to to catch the ash — the sweet smell gives way to some acrid chemical stench and you wonder to yourself if you are going to get brain tumours. (It also sometimes sounds like this.)

Recording: Skull Bong

Artist: Skull Bong

Song: excerpt

Recorded at The Tranzac (Healing Power Festive Fest), December 15, 2012.

Skull Bong - excerpt

Full review to follow. Healing Power is as much a vibe and a community spirit as it is a record label. Returning to their origins in the Tranzac, this night brought together friends in bands new and old for a holiday celebration at the opposite solstice to their picnics.

The night got started with an extended set from noise-soundscapists Skull Bong, who filled the Tiki Room with some sounds at the more genteel end of their spectrum.

You can check out some more photos of the night at the MFS Facebook page.