Recording: Michael Bridge

Artist: Michael Bridge

Song: Mosafer [composer: Nastaran Pouladzadeh]

Recorded at the Canadian Music Centre, January 24, 2018.

Michael Bridge - Mosafer

This intriguing collaboration saw local accordionist Michael Bridge tackle a series of new pieces pulled together from a worldwide call for scores made by the Iranian-Canadian Composers of Toronto. Besides pieces from Spain, Cyprus, Brazil and Mexico, a couple local composers were also represented, including a revised solo version of a piece for accordion and string quartet by Pouya Hamidi plus this electroacoustic work (based on a poem by Sohrab Sepehri) by Nastaran Pouladzadeh. Bridge is earning a reputation as a virtuoso on his instrument, and these works, filled with extended techniques, gave him a chance to show that off.

Recording: Meeks/Liu/Krakowiak

Artist: D. Alex Meeks/Germaine Liu/Tomasz Krakowiak

Songs: [three excerpts]

Recorded at Array Space (Audiopollination 58), January 21, 2018.

D. Alex Meeks/Germaine Liu/Tomasz Krakowiak - [excerpt 1 from first piece]

D. Alex Meeks/Germaine Liu/Tomasz Krakowiak - [excerpt 2 from first piece]

D. Alex Meeks/Germaine Liu/Tomasz Krakowiak - [excerpt from second piece]

The night finished with this spectacular set, in part a celebration of the recent return of drummer D. Alex Meeks to the city's creative music circles. A percussion trio that was as much about tiny gestures as forceful thwacks, this worked up from a quiet rustling to something else entirely, with Tomasz Krakowiak hunched over his single large snare, Germaine Liu bowing and tapping at her vibes and D. Alex Meeks working out some algorithms behind a full kit. What a treat it is to hear these three musicians in action!

Michael Lynn captured this whole night in black and white, so you can view the full set over on youtube:

[Audiopollination returns with the second Del Stephen-curated "Spirit of the Inner Child" show on Friday, February 23rd with spontaneous recombinative sets from Allison Cameron, Bea Labikova, Del Stephen, Jeff Sinibaldi, Julian, Mira Martin-Gray, Simone Baron and Tomasz Krakowiak. The next "self-curated" Audiopollination will be on Saturday, March 10th.]

Recording: Heraclitus Akimbo/Alex Fournier/Del Stephen

Artist: Heraclitus Akimbo/Alex Fournier/Del Stephen

Song: [last section]

Recorded at Array Space (Audiopollination 58), January 21, 2018.

Heraclitus Akimbo/Alex Fournier/Del Stephen - [last section]

This was my first time, in my alter ego of Heraclitus Akimbo, taking my old farmer's accordion out in public. It was generally used in the same way I deploy my keyboards, as a sound source to loop and drone — but with the added bonus that I could then tear off my contact mics and stroll around a little while playing. Hopefully all of that didn't distract too much from Del Stephen's pitch-shifted poetics and percussive potpourri and Alex Fournier holding down the centre on double bass.

Michael Lynn captured this whole night in black and white, so you can view the full set over on youtube:

[Audiopollination returns with the second Del Stephen-curated "Spirit of the Inner Child" show on Friday, February 23rd with spontaneous recombinative sets from Allison Cameron, Bea Labikova, Del Stephen, Jeff Sinibaldi, Julian, Mira Martin-Gray, Simone Baron and Tomasz Krakowiak. The next "self-curated" Audiopollination will be on Saturday, March 10th. Del Stephen will also be exploring some experimental pop "New Moon Sounds" tomorrow night (February 15th) alongside Barbarosa and Moonfox at the Junction City Music Hall. Heraclitus Akimbo will be performing a solo set at the Somewhere There Festival on February 25th, in the Sunday evening show.]

Recording: Lane Halley & Alex Whyte

Artist: Lane Halley & Alex Whyte

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at Array Space (Audiopollination 58), January 21, 2018.

Lane Halley & Alex Whyte - [excerpt]

There were some different faces, including a couple rock'n'roll ringers at this edition of Audiopollination's "self-curated" series. Guitarist Lane Halley is most often seen with the likes of Hooded Fang and Bart, but has recently been pushing in some newer directions. There was heaps of room to explore in this duo set with trombonist Alex White, with plenty restrained swells and muted lamentations.

Michael Lynn captured this whole night in black and white, so you can view the full set over on youtube:

[Audiopollination returns with the second Del Stephen-curated "Spirit of the Inner Child" show on Friday, February 23rd with spontaneous recombinative sets from Allison Cameron, Bea Labikova, Del Stephen, Jeff Sinibaldi, Julian, Mira Martin-Gray, Simone Baron and Tomasz Krakowiak. The next "self-curated" Audiopollination will be on Saturday, March 10th.]

Recording: Laderoute/Urquhart/Story

Artist: Jesse Laderoute/Ashley Urquhart/David Story

Song: [last section]

Recorded at Array Space (Audiopollination 58), January 21, 2018.

Jesse Laderoute/Ashley Urquhart/David Story - [last section]

There were some different faces, including a couple rock'n'roll ringers at this edition of Audiopollination's "self-curated" series. Though best known for his work with Blonde Elvis (and assorted other projects) Jesse Laderoute is no stranger to improvisation. That said, he helped to start this night off with some volume, shredding away and opening a space for Ashley Urquhart and David Story to get loud in their own ways — the former leaning into the piano to hammer at the strings while the latter eased into a ferocious triangle solo (!). Things then settled into this section of coiled tension, unresolved like the middle part of a Necks piece.

Michael Lynn captured this whole night in black and white, so you can view the full set over on youtube:

[Audiopollination returns with the second Del Stephen-curated "Spirit of the Inner Child" show on Friday, February 23rd with spontaneous recombinative sets from Allison Cameron, Bea Labikova, Del Stephen, Jeff Sinibaldi, Julian, Mira Martin-Gray, Simone Baron and Tomasz Krakowiak. The next "self-curated" Audiopollination will be on Saturday, March 10th.]

Recording: Andre Ethier

Artist: Andre Ethier

Songs: Banana Grove + Parallel Highways

Recorded at The Baby G, January 19, 2018.

Andre Ethier - Banana Grove

Andre Ethier - Parallel Highways

After nearly a decade without a new album from Andre Ethier, there was a lot of anticipation for the release of Under Grape Leaves (put out by Telephone Explosion) and a full room for this release celebration. Holding the room's attention in a set that hewed to the quieter side, the focused selection featured a lot of the new tracks as well as a few of his older mellow groovers. Ethier was backed by Paul Mortimer on guit and and Nick Kervin on drums throughout with Joseph Shabason's flute and sax touches as the only guest appearance. Visual art has been Ethier's main focus for the past while (and this album corresponded with a show of new paintings) so it remains to be seen if there'll be a quicker musical follow-up this time 'round.

Recording: Joseph Shabason

Artist: Joseph Shabason

Song: Long Swim

Recorded at The Baby G, January 19, 2018.

Joseph Shabason - Long Swim

Joseph Shabason, who'd also show up later this night in Andre Ethier's headlining set, opened the evening with a few of the deliciously-textured tunes from his Aytche album. There was a more streamlined band this time out with just Phil Melanson (drums), Thom Gill (synth) and Bram Gielen (bass) on hand — and this opening piece actually sees Shabason in near-solo mode, with just a few accents from Melanson emerging on stage near its end.

[Promising a "6 piece band and a bunch of new chunes", Joseph Shabason plays the Wavelength Winter Festival at The Garrison on Sunday February 18th, alongside Buke and Gase, Omhouse, Fusilier and You'll Never Get to Heaven.]

Concert Listings Roundup #237

You can read more about why I'm doing listings here. Long story short: This curated and decidedly non-comprehensive list contains nothin' but shows that I am going to/would go to if I had more time.

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Gigs of the week:

Wavelength Winter Festival 18 (feat. MI Blue / Bossie / OBUXUM / Plazas) / The Garrison 2018-02-16 (Friday) [FB event]

Wavelength Winter Festival 18 (feat. Odonis Odonis / Freak Heat Waves / Tough Age / Kurt Marble / Luge) / The Garrison 2018-02-17 (Saturday) [FB event]

Wavelength Winter Festival 18 (feat. Buke and Gase / Omhouse / Fusilier / You'll Never Get to Heaven / Joseph Shabason) / The Garrison 2018-02-18 (Sunday) [FB event]

Wavelength's annual family day weekend celebration returns to celebrate the series' 18th anniversary. The programming is a bit more focused this time 'round, with three nights at The Garrison and no scheduled daytime activities. There's some bunching together to make almost-theme nights, such as Friday's focus on electro-grooves and a proper Saturday Night rock vibe, but there's a good mix of stuff throughout the weekend — and as always, for a certain segment of T.O.'s show-going population, it'll be a bit like a class reunion, with old friends a-plenty to catch up with.

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This week's noteworthy shows:

Ornate Ornette (feat. Andrew Furlong/Alexei Orechin/Germaine Liu/Nelson Moneo) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2018-02-13 (Tuesday – early!) [FB event]

Operator Music Band (Miles Francis / Rapport / Camp Girls) / The Baby G 2018-02-13 (Tuesday) [FB event]

Wingtips (Sahara / p0st3rb0y) / Nocturne 2018-02-14 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Music By & For Ken Aldcroft XIV (feat. Dave Clark [solo] / Dave Clark/Tania Gill/Karen Ng/Tom Richards) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2018-02-14 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Delusions of Grandeur (Sea Beau Band) / Burdock Music Hall 2018-02-15 (Thursday) [FB event]

The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble [Kahil El'Zabar/Corey Wilkes/Alex Harding] [45th Anniversary Tour!] / Remix 2018-02-16 (Friday) [more info]

John Kameel Farah / Redwood Theatre 2018-02-16 (Friday) [FB event]

Lido Pimienta / The Drake Underground 2018-02-16–2018-02-17 (Friday–Saturday) [FB event]

Momentary: solo music for Kamanche (feat. Shahriyar Jamshidi) / Canadian Music Centre 2018-02-17 (Saturday – early show @ 5 p.m.!) [FB event]

Bile Sister (wearenotwhoweare / Mazola / Slurry / Walls Are Blonde) / Owl's Club 2018-02-17 (Saturday) [FB event]

Rat-drifting 4 (feat. Marla Hlady / Christof Migone) / Array Space 2018-02-17 (Saturday) [FB event]

Solo sets (feat. Matthew Daher / Karen Ng / Andrew Furlong / Laura Swankey) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2018-02-17 (Saturday) [FB event]

Somewhere There Presents (feat. Astrosurf) / The Emmet Ray 2018-02-18 (Saturday) [FB event]

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Add these to your calendar:

Reminder: This post only contains this week's updates — the full listings can always be found over on the right-hand sidebar!

The Jessica Stuart Few [new monthly music series!] (Delta Will's Chamber Folk Experience) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2018-02-22 (Thursday – extra early timeslot, 5 to 7 p.m.!) [FB event]

Audiopollination presents Spirit of the Inner Child 2 (feat. Allison Cameron / Bea Labikova / Del Stephen / Jeff Sinibaldi / Julian / Mira Martin-Gray / Simone Baron / Tomasz Krakowiak) / Array Space 2018-02-23 (Friday) [FB event]

Batuki Music Society presents: Black History Month (feat. Kaia Kater / Waleed Kush African Jazz Ensemble with special guest Ruth Mathiang) / Aga Khan Museum 2018-02-24 (Saturday) [FB event]

Bloodshot Bill (The Hiccups) / Monarch Tavern 2018-02-24 (Saturday) [FB event]

Not The Wind, Not The Flag with Nilan Perera / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2018-02-25 (Sunday) [FB event]

Man Made Hill [Fingertip Pleasence Records release show!] (Corpusse / New Chance / ZOË) / The Baby G 2018-03-03 (Saturday) [FB event]

A Celebration of the Music of Ken Aldcroft (feat. Two Hours Early, Ten Minutes Late [Jason Robinson & Eric Hofbauer] / Mars People [Emily Denison/Daniel Kruger/Joe Sorbara]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2018-03-10 (Saturday) [FB event]

Burn Down the Capital presents (feat. Nick Millevoi's Desertion / Mimico / The Litch / Colin Fisher & Victor Cirone) / The Baby G 2018-03-17 (Saturday) [FB event]

Quiet Bedrooms: QB7 (feat. Forest Management / Philippe Vandal / Brigitte Bardon't + Hexzuul / Dame Cook) / D D L 2018-03-24 (Saturday) [FB event]

Bernice (Erica Eso / Tryal) / The Baby G 2018-03-27 (Tuesday) [FB event]

Dany Laj and the Looks / The Dakota Tavern 2018-04-25 (Wednesday — early show, 7 to 9 p.m.!) [FB event]

Anagram [special reunion show!] / Owl's Club 2018-05-25 (Friday) [FB event]

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Community corner:

Thursday night sees not one but two very compelling panel discussions on tap, both of which promise to be provocative and entertaining.

• As a prelude to the #WL18 Festival starting the next night, Wavelength is presenting "Beyond the Core" at the Gladstone Hotel's ballroom, looking at the opportunity side of the current crisis that's rendering the downtown increasingly unaffordable for culture-makers — and possibly drawing them closer to the incredibly diverse but under-the-radar culture production that's already taking place in the inner suburbs. It's at 7 p.m., free to all and features a pre-panel live performance by Just John.
• Meanwhile, the Music Gallery's History Series continues with "Creative Music on Campus Radio", looking at the entangled relationship of local community/university radio stations and the local creative music scenes. The panellists are all radio heads with the gift of the gab, so expect some compelling stories to be unspun. Free + open to all, starts at six o'olock in the Hart House map Room at U of T.

Recording: Kamancello

Artist: Kamancello

Song: [set 2, 2nd piece]

Recorded at Burdock Music Hall, January 17, 2018.

Kamancello - [set 2, 2nd piece, part 1]

Kamancello - [set 2, 2nd piece, part 2]

Having been following this duo from before they had a name, it's been rather pleasing to see the partnership of Shahriyar Jamshidi and Raphael Weinroth-Browne flourish, now with an album to their credit. Mixing Jamshidi's kamanche (an Iranian bowed spike fiddle) with Weinroth-Browne's cello, there's a tangible chemistry here, leaving audience members shocked that all of this music was spontaneously composed, with Jamshidi finding plenty of nooks and crannies to explore while Weinroth-Browne moves from heavy metal shredding to lush romanticism.

[Shahriyar Jamshidi will be playing a set of solo kamanche at the Canadian Music Centre on Saturday, February 17th — an early show starting at 5 o'clock!]

Recording: U of T Chainsaw Ensemble

Artist: University of Toronto Chainsaw Ensemble

Composition: Poème symphonique [excerpt] [composer: György Ligeti]

Recorded at the U of T Faculty of Music (Lobby), January 17, 2018.

University of Toronto Chainsaw Ensemble - Poème symphonique [excerpt]

Unlike its percussion and saxophone counterparts, so far as I know this student ensemble does not wield any actual chainsaws. (Prove me wrong, kids. Prove me wrong.) But under the guidance of Greg Oh they are exploring "Experimental Contemporary Techno-rhythms", including this notorious Ligeti piece written under the influence of (or possibly as a satire of) the fluxus movement. It directs the ensemble to set up no less than one hundred mechanical metronomes, start them up as close to simultaneously as possible, and then wait for the whole thing to wind down.

Like any live performance, this execution was subject to variation and the inspiring possibility of error, so this took a turn for the amusing/transcendent in the endgame when, after ninety-nine metronomes had wound down, the final one kept on tickin', forestalling the end of the piece until its twenty-plus minute solo had ended. (Closer examination after the fact seemed to point to that metronome being double-wound.) The quietly-percussive textures were similar to the sound of a rock tumbler or microwave popcorn, becoming strangely-compelling as that last wand kept ticking and ticking, drawing in some of the more committed witnesses and earning bemused reactions from passers-by — and revealing a playful, social layer underlying the piece's musical conception. This excerpt (trailing off on the approach to that long finish) is very much a field recording, meaning there's plenty of background conversational murmurations and other general to-ing and fro-ing in the cavernous music building lobby.

Recording: Marker Starling

Artist: Marker Starling - I'll Be Around

Songs: I'll Be Around [The Spinners cover] + Shadows and Counterparts

Recorded at The Tranzac (Main Hall), January 13, 2018.

Marker Starling - I'll Be Around

Marker Starling - Shadows and Counterparts

Chris Cummings' artistic ascendance continues with the release of his new Anchors & Ampersands album. Like its predecessor, a lot of the achievement here is in the selection of materials and the arrangements, but whereas I'm Willing fits into the classic "covers album" mould, its new companion is something more akin to a self-reappraisal, with several reduxed versions of older songs, now presented in all their widescreen glory with lusher arrangements and more confident vocals.

As in the past, Cummings returned to The Tranzac's Main Hall to use the floor to accommodate an extra-large ensemble — there were no fewer than sixteen musicians throughout the night (if I was able to keep track correctly!) with up to fourteen of them on stage at once. That meant augmenting the core unit (of Jay Anderson, Matt McLaren and Andrew Scott) with lush backing vocals (from Robin Dann, Ben Gunning and Alex Samaras, as well as special guests Ryan Driver and album producer Zack G) and a horn section (Jay Hay, Jeremy Strachan, Lina Allemano). And then to complete the spectacle, the members of opening band Bunny joined in for the set's last songs. All told, a worthy celebration of one of the city's best songwriters — and now with his back pages thoroughly re-examined, it's exciting to anticipate what's going to come next.

Recording: Bunny

Artist: Bunny

Songs: One Less Heart + Fat City (feat. Marker Starling)

Recorded at The Tranzac (Main Hall), January 13, 2018.

Bunny - One Less Heart

Bunny feat. Marker Starling - Fat City

I'd missed the release party for Bunny's superb self-titled album, so I was glad to see them reprising their role as openers at another Marker Starling release. There was a slightly-reshuffled lineup behind Drew Smith and the anchoring rhythm section of Jay Anderson and Andrew Scott with Lane Halley (Hooded Fang, Bart) sitting in on guitar as well as a now-rare Dan Werb sighting behind the keybs (although he did, indeed, play a lot of the keybs on the album). There was a tasty selection of material from the new album, and to close things out, Chris Cummings (another of the album's guest performers) came out to sing this new one to which he'd provided lyrics inspired, I'm given to understand, by the John Huston film.

Recording: Cameron/Newman/Parkinson

Artist: Allison Cameron/Kurt Newman/Stephen Parkinson

Song: [excerpt from first piece]

Recorded at Array Space, January 11, 2018.

Allison Cameron/Kurt Newman/Stephen Parkinson - [excerpt from first piece]

This trio set, though filled with non-linear clucks and cackles, hewed to the quieter side of things, forcing listeners to lean in to catch the mysterious sounds. Allison Cameron had her crackle synth in addition to her usual variety of implements while Kurt Newman forewent sludgy feedback goop in favour of plucks from an unamplified acoustic guitar. Meanwhile, it was a delight to once more hear those familiar (but recently absent) tap/scratches from Stephen Parkinson's guitar.

Recording: Allison Cameron

Artist: Allison Cameron

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at Gladstone Hotel's Second Floor Gallery Space (MFS Listening Station Tape Salon), January 6, 2018.

Allison Cameron - [excerpt]

As a part of the Listening Station I assembled as part of Long Winter's "Toronto's Musical Undergrounds" Myseum exhibition, I put together a little afternoon gathering for people to listen to (and leave with!) some tapes. There was also a short performance from Allison Cameron, who often mixes in found sounds from cassettes in her improvised sets. For some bonus dramatic flair, the performance took place behind an illuminated gauzey curtain, left over from another of the event's installations, adding that mysterious je ne sais quois to the proceedings.

Concert Listings Roundup #236

You can read more about why I'm doing listings here. Long story short: This curated and decidedly non-comprehensive list contains nothin' but shows that I am going to/would go to if I had more time.

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Gig of the week:

Pleasence Fest and Podcast Launch (feat. WHIMM / ZONES / Moon Eyed / Doom Tickler / Feel Alright / WLMRT / Don't Bother / The Famines) / Smiling Buddha 2018-02-10 (Saturday) [FB event]

After the January lull, we're headed back into the thick of it, concert-wise. Saturday's one of those just-plain-wacky nights you can get in this city, with at least a half-dozen excellent gigs on tap. With the volume of current and alumni bands on hand, this one takes gig of the week honours by a whisker. After a transitional year, Pleasence is re-asserting its presence with a jam-packed night with bands on stages upstairs and down at the Buddha.

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This week's noteworthy shows:

Willie Thrasher & Linda Saddleback (Trails / King Kimbit) / Burdock Music Hall 2018-02-05 (Monday) [FB event]

A Justin Haynes Quartet [Felicity Williams/John Oswald/Ryan Driver/Justin Haynes] / The Emmet Ray 2018-02-05 (Monday) [FB event]

Nick Fraser Quartet w/ Tony Malaby [Is Life Long? CD release!] / The Rex Hotel 2018-02-05–2018-02-06 (Monday–Tuesday) [FB event]

Track Could Bend #35 (feat. The Bim Prongs & {AN} EeL / N A V I / Love Children of the Apocalypse) / Belljar Café 2018-02-06 (Tuesday – PWYC!) [FB event]

Bill Gilliam/Kayla Milmine/Ambrose Pottie / Burdock Music Hall 2018-02-06 (Tuesday) [FB event]

Wax Turnip Time (feat. Karen Ng/D. Alex Meeks/Chris Pruden/Mike Smith) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2018-02-06 (Tuesday – early!) [FB event]

SlowPitchSound / Burdock Music Hall 2018-02-07 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Cindy Lee (Deliluh / Anamai) / Lula Lounge 2018-02-08 (Thursday) [FB event]

Haunted Summer (LOLAA / Akage No Anne / Ace Of Wands) / Smiling Buddha 2018-02-09 (Friday) [FB event]

Casper Skulls [Mercy Works exhibition & release show!] (Vallens / smut) / Super Wonder Gallery 2018-02-10 (Saturday) [FB event]

Burn Down the Capital presents (feat. Efrim Manuel Menuck [solo set from founding member of Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Silver Mt. Zion] / KGD [Kevin Doria of Growing and Hiss Tracks] / Off World) / D D L 2018-02-10 (Saturday) [FB event]

Audio Bleed (feat. Knurl / Hybrid Frequency / Fillspace) / Belljar Café 2018-02-10 (Saturday — PWYC!) [FB event]

The Music Gallery and Native Women in the Arts present the Kwe Performance Series: Mother Tongue (feat. Joanne Shenandoah / Salia Joseph & Kwiigay iiwaans / Nelson Tagoona) / 918 Bathurst 2018-02-10 (Saturday) [FB event]

The Greggies [record release!] (Terror Lake / Cursor) / Handlebar 2018-02-10 (Saturday) [FB event]

Alpha Strategy (Catholic Wilt / Greydini / SGVBR iii) / The Baby G 2017-02-10 (Saturday) [FB event]

Arkose [Rob MacDonald/Torrie Seager/Michael Rosie Rosenthal/Erik Ross/Jesse Dietschi] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2018-02-10 (Saturday) [FB event]

Ancient Shapes / Smiling Buddha 2017-02-11 (Sunday) [FB event]

Somewhere There's Second Sunday Series (feat. Kieran Maraj / cheryl o & Meghan Cheng) / Array Space 2018-02-11 (Sunday) [FB event]

Brodie West Quintet / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2018-02-11 (Sunday) [FB event]

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Add these to your calendar:

Reminder: This post only contains this week's updates — the full listings can always be found over on the right-hand sidebar!

Ornate Ornette (feat. Andrew Furlong/Alexei Orechin/Germaine Liu/Nelson Moneo) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2018-02-13 (Tuesday – early!) [FB event]

Music By & For Ken Aldcroft XIV (feat. Dave Clark [solo] / Dave Clark/Tania Gill/Karen Ng/Tom Richards) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2018-02-14 (Wednesday) [FB event]

The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble [Kahil El'Zabar/Corey Wilkes/Alex Harding] [45th Anniversary Tour!] / Remix 2018-02-16 (Friday) [more info]

John Kameel Farah / Redwood Theatre 2018-02-16 (Friday) [FB event]

Solo sets (feat. Matthew Daher / Karen Ng / Andrew Furlong / Laura Swankey) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2018-02-17 (Saturday) [FB event]

Stereoscope / Canadian Music Centre 2018-02-22 (Thursday – early show @ 5:30 p.m.!) [FB event]

Somewhere There Creative Music Festival (feat. John Oswald [talk] / Divergence Trio [Emily Denison/Susanna Hood/Scott Thomson] / So Long Seven) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2018-02-23 (Friday) [more info]

Somewhere There Creative Music Festival: Composing for Improvisors [works by: Brian Abbott, Bea Labikova, Zach Clark] (feat. Brian Abbott/Zach Clark/Bea Labikova/Kayla Milmine/Cheryl O/Heather Saumer/Joe Sorbara/Kristen Theriault/Laura Swankey) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2018-02-24 (Saturday – matinée!) [more info]

Somewhere There Creative Music Festival: Circuits Bending Frames ["an evening of film and video by Laurie Kwasnik"] (feat. Jonathan Adjemian/Ryan Driver/Christine Duncan/Paul Dutton/Tiina Kiik/Laurie Kwasnik/Mani Mazinani/Wes Neal/John Oswald/SlowPitchSound/Laura Swankey) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2018-02-24 (Saturday) [more info]

ZOO OWL [single release!] (Bad Passion / Cherry Blaster) / Handlebar 2018-02-24 (Saturday) [FB event]

Long Winter 6.4 (feat. Brenda / KYLO / Ziibiwan / Casey MQ / Dre Ngozi / NOYFB / Macbeth II) / Workman Arts 2018-02-24 (Saturday – all ages! PWYC!) [FB event]

Somewhere There Creative Music Festival [open rehearsal + performance!] (feat. Trombone Quartet [Tom Richards/Heather Saumer/Doug Tielli/Nebyu Yohannes]) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2018-02-25 (Sunday – matinée!) [more info]

Somewhere There Creative Music Festival (feat. Luan Phung Quintet [Luan Phung/Julian Anderson-Bowes/Matthew Chalmers/James Hill/Chris Rennie] / Heraclitus Akimbo / Holger Schoorl Ensemble [Holger Schoorl/Jonnie Bakan/Chantal Cornu/Emily Denison/Bea Labikiova/Paul Newman/Patrick O'Reilly/Heather Saumer) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2018-02-25 (Sunday) [more info]

The Music Gallery presents Emergents II (feat. Duo Holz / VC2) / 918 Bathurst 2018-03-02 (Friday) [FB event]

Venus Fest Presents PILL (Eyeballs) / Smiling Buddha 2018-03-17 (Saturday) [FB event]

Patsy's Rats (First Base / Tough Age) / Smiling Buddha 2018-04-04 (Wednesday) [FB event]