Versicolour by Aidan Knight

After years of being beside the spotlight, backing up bands, Vancouver's Aidan Knight has stepped out on his own. While working with bands like The Zolas and Maurice, he started crafting songs and over a span of two years, recording whenever he could, playing a lot of the instruments himself and enlisting in the help of Toronto's The O'Darling for various duties (including backing vocals) Knight put together his debut solo album, Versicolour.

The album kicks off with "The Sun", which is an amazing opener. It starts off soft -- and somewhat dark -- then gradually builds to a grand ending of horns, strings and what I am pretty sure is a glockenspiel. It definitely setting the stage for the rest of the album. "Fighting Against Your Lungs" feels really light and almost effortless, though when it changes up for the "extro", I can't help but feeling that could have been expanded into a song of its own. A haunting piano starts "Eyelid Clicks", before building electronic feedback adds to the mood, and "Altar Boys" can only be described as beautifully melancholic. "North East South West" is another song that swells to a rich ending, while "Knitting Something Nice" starts off gentle and light, but gradually turns a little darker, both musically and lyrically. That is countered as the album comes to a close, with "Sorrows" being more or less an a capella intro to "Jasper", Knight's voice mixing with those of The O'Darling brilliantly. And much like how "The Sun" was the perfect opener, "Jasper" is the perfect closer. It is uplifting and beautiful, and you can't help but smile while listening to it.

I don't think it's a secret that I have a soft spot for strings and horns in my music, and when someone as talented as Aidan Knight can arrange them into something like this, well, I was won over half-way through "The Sun" on my first listen. And I have no doubt that song will remain one of my favourites of the year.
My only problem with the album is that it is much too short. With only 8 tracks and clocking it at just under half an hour, it feels like it's over before it had a chance to begin. I can't help but think that if it were an EP, it would have been perfect.
But aside from that, it is a stellar debut album and shows Knight has talent to spare. He can make songs minimal without being dull, or rich without being overwhelming, and add depth to the most simple sounding song. There is no doubt that after this, he deserves to step into the spotlight on his own.


Download The Sun

Download Knitting Something Nice

Download Jasper

Clicky to exchange monies for music

Owen Pallett @ The Vogue -- 05/09/10

I don't know how it happened, but this last week has been amazing, concert-wise. Ending the four-shows-in-five-days was Owen Pallett, a show I have been looking forward to since he had to cancel his show back in September.

Being another curfew show, the opening act came out a little after 8. Snowblink consisted of Daniela Gesundheit and Dan Misha Goldman, both on guitar but they had a few other instruments around. Like a rope with bells tied to it that they passed out to some people in the front row to help out. They had a kind of typical indie-folk-pop sound, one that was perfect to open for Owen Pallett, but it wasn't generic or cliché. They pulled it off really well, and Gesundheit had a really nice voice. There was also a nervous charm about them when talking to the crowd, at first at least; by the end they were joking with us, even throwing an impromptu raffle when they found out the show was assigned seating. Among their own songs was also slipped in a cover of "Human Nature" by Micheal Jackson, and by the end of the set, I was left wishing I had enough money to pick up their album. I just hope they're back again soon.
And yes, those are antlers on her guitar in that picture.

And then at around 9, Owen Pallett hit the stage. Sadly, there was no overhead projector, like some of his past shows, but he more that made up for it with his amazing music. Most of the set he was out there alone, with his violin (and sometimes keyboard) but for a few (mostly the newer ones) he was joined by Thomas Gill on guitar and drums. And even with one other, it is incredibly impressive what he can do alone, through the use of his looping. There were times where you would have sworn there was a whole orchestra of people on stage, but nope, it's just Owen.
He played mostly from the new album, Heartland, but of course there were of course some older ones, too. "This is the Dream of Win & Regine" was pretty incredible, as was "Many Lives -> 49 MP", but the new material was where he really shone. "Midnight Directives", featuring his rapid plucking and dense, building crescendo. And the set-ending "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt" was simple amazing, just going crazy by the end of it. He also, as he usually does, slipped in a cover song. This time was "Interview" by Simon Bookish.
The encore was just a couple more, including "This Lamb Sells Condos" before leaving the packed Vogue in awe.
I have seen him twice before, but those were both back in 2007, so I am incredibly glad I had the chance to see him again. He is one of the most interesting and talented live acts I've seen.

Again, I tried to take a few videos, via uStream during the night, so here is "This Lamb Sells Condos". It's a little dark, but it's still good.
I also have half of "Win & Regine".
They're not the best quality, but not too terrible either. The audio is okay, and that's all that matters, really.

Dan Mangan @ The Vogue -- 05/08/10

It's hard to believe this is only my fourth time seeing Dan Mangan live. But each and every time I have seen him, I have managed to be even more impressed than the last. The first few times were all intimate shows; at the Cultch, in a CBC studio, and in Red Cat Records. But this time it was at the Vogue Theatre. A sold out Vogue, no less. And what's more, he had a full compliment of instruments with him as well. That's the great thing about the hometown shows, I guess, he's able to spring for the horns and strings that add that much more to his performance.


At about 8, a single man took the stage and sat with his guitar. It was Kenton Loewen, Dan Mangan's drummer, in the guise of his band, The Crackling. It's normally a full band, but tonight was just him for a short set. I remember back at Dan's show at The Cultch, Kenton won my over with his drumming and antics, and I was interested in checking out his band for a little while, so it was cool to have him open, even if he did only play a handful of songs for about 20 minutes. The songs were all really catchy, but it was his range that was really impressive. His voice went from a low rumbling, which reminded me of either Tom Waits or Nick Cave, to great heights, sometimes within the same song. I really wish I had cash enough to pick up their album there, but I guess I will just have to wait until the next time I catch a live show, and after that, I will no doubt try my best to do so.

Next up was Jesse Sykes. She, too, normally has a full band with her, The Sweet Hereafter, but last night it was just her and one other guitarist. She had a really nice voice, but her songs were all a bit too similar, and when they were as sweet and low key and mellow as they were, they seemed to run together a bit at the end. I didn't dislike her by any means, both she and her guitarist were really talented, but a little more variety in her songs would have been welcome.

And finally, Dan Mangan himself hit the stage, with his regular band -- the aforementioned Kenton Loewen on drums, John Walsh (of Brasstronaut) on the upright bass and Gord Grdina on guitar -- as well as a half dozen strings and horns -- most, if not all of which were at his CBC Radio 3 show. He kicked off energetically with "Sold", and as he wrapped up you could see him look into the sold out Vogue with a look of amazement on his face, like he couldn't believe he was actually there. But he was, and he positively owned the room. From songs like "Road Regrets" and "Fair Verona", which soared to absolutely epic heights, to "The Indie Queens Are Waiting" performed alone on stage, each song had the audience enrapt. Near the end of the set, he did "Basket" with just the strings & horns backing him, and the crowd was dead silent.
Other highlights was the always awesome "Journal of a Narcoleptic" and "Some People", where he jumped down off the stage into the front area... and was promptly swarmed by girls, urging everyone to gather up at the front of the stage. At one point, mid way through the set, he introduced to the stage his friend & author Ivan Coyote, and played "Pine for Cedars" around a story told by her, about her true love, which was not only a great story but a great performance. Like his work with Koyczan, it's really cool to see something like this, where his music and spoken word storytelling weave themselves around each other.
He also played two new songs, one of which I swear I've heard before, but have I'm not sure where. As per my new game in which I try and guess the name of new songs bands play live, I guess either "The Desolate North" or "Oh Fortune" for the first, and the second, played in the encore, "Death And Such". The main set ended with "Robots" which, of course, has each and every person singing and clapping along. I managed to get half of it recorded on, and while it's not a great quality recording, it wasn't terrible, either. The encore consisted "Above The Headlights", and old song he rarely plays anymore, and he finished the night with "So Much For Everyone", where he dubbed the crowd The Granville Street Choir for our flawless "oooo-ooooh's" backup vocals.

As I said, each time I've seen him I've been more and more impressed, and last night was no different. He managed to still make a sold out theatre feel as intimate as sitting around in someones living room with his effortless charm and storytelling.

Setlist.
Sold, You Silly Git, Road Regrets, The Indie Queens Are Waiting, Journal of a Narcoleptic, Tina's Glorious Comeback, Pine For Cedars (w/ Ivan Coyote), Fair Verona, [New Song], Basket, Some People, Robots.
(encore) Above The Headlights, [New Song], So Much For Everyone.

Brasstronaut w/ The Zolas @ St James Hall -- 05/06/10

What was it I said yesterday? That I've had the good fortune of seeing a fair number of shows this year where both/all acts have been great? Well, that continued last night at St James Hall.
Before I go on, though, a mini rant. I love St James Hall. I think it is an awesome place for a show... except for the fact that just about every time I've been there, it's turned really hot in the place. Maybe cos every one I've seen there has been sold out (or close to it) and it's not that big of a hall... but still, they really need to spring for some sort of cooling device.

Anyway! It was a nice early show (am I getting lame for liking the early-ending shows more and more?) so The Zolas hit the stage just before 8, and just wow, they tore the place down. They started off, of course, with "You're Too Cool" and went on to go through most of their album, Tic Toc Tic. As high energy and catchy as the record is, their live show is even more so. Songs like "No Talking" and "Marlaina Kamikaze" sound phenomenal live, and while all four of them on stage had a fantastic energy, Zach is a great & charismatic front man. For one song he hopped off stage and played most of it amongst the crowd up at the front, another he sat with Tom at the keyboard, and throughout the whole show he was just a ball of energy. They threw in a new song, "Guest", which is named for what Zach calls the worst rhyme ever (Guess/Guest, I think it was)... though is a great song despite it. The wrapped up with "Cab Driver", a song that somehow managed to top the rest of the set with its intensity, and a great way to end. And the crowd was just eating them up with every song. I am sure people were there for The Zolas as much as Brasstronaut, and those who weren't were no doubt won over.
Also, Hank Henry Alcock-White was with them on bass again, and I am now convinced that he has the absolute driest sense of humour.

setlist
You're Too Cool, Collapse, Guest, Body Ash, No Talking, Marionettes, These Days, Marlaina Kamikaze, Queen of Relax, Cab Driver.


After a quick turnaround, Brasstronaut came out, in one of the coolest ways a band can. As everyone was early anticipating them, all attention on the stage, faint horns started... but no one was on stage. Everyone soon realized where they were, though. Coming in through the back of the hall, forming a procession through the crowd up to the stage, with all the members of Brasstronaut as well as song extra help with the horns and such. They all crammed on the stage, almost a dozen of them, for the first song. They went into "Six Toes" next, as half the people left leaving only the main members up there to absolutely blow the crowds collective minds. They, too, are almost as (if not moreso) amazing than their album, which is incredibly rich and layered. One of my favourites on Mt. Chimera is "Hearts Trompet", and that was definitely one of the highlights of the show.
There was also a giant sheet acting as a projection screen behind them, which was really cool. Some songs there were video clips, some were just abstract designs, but it really added to the show. For "Insects", the last song of their main set, the screen alternated between venus fly traps and what looked like a 50's science film reel, and was superb emphasis to the dark and haunting mood of the song. For the encore, it really turned into a crazy multimedia experience, from the videos on screen, the lasers and lights all around the hall mimicking stars to the bubble wands being handed out and the monk manning a spotlight shining it all over the hall.
They also had the coolest thing, which I initially thought was a Space-Clarinet, but it turns out it is an EWI (or Electric Wind Instrument). It both looked and sounded awesome.
[and I almost forgot, in the middle of the show, they announced that one of the members, John Walsh (I believe) had just become a new father earlier that day, so much congratulations are in order]
In all, it was a pretty incredible spectacle, with excellent music to back it up, and even though I love seeing bands in smaller, more intimate venues, it is now one of my musical goals in life to see them play the Orpheum. That just seems like it would be the perfect setting for them.

Plants & Animals w/ Said The Whale @ Commodore -- 05/05/10

One thing that I have had really good luck with this year is shows with great overall bills. There has been at least half a dozen times where an amazing band will be playing with an equally amazing, if not better, opening act.

Right off the bat, though, I got to admit, it was kind of strange seeing Said The Whale as an opening act, but it was kinda cool to see them in the Commodore. Though I have no doubt they could pack the place on their own at this point.
They started off with "Emerald Lake, AB" and at first I was worried, cos they sounded kind of muddy. But credit to the sound guy who fixed it by the second song, "The City's A Mess". Through the set, they hit most, if not all, of my favourites, including "Love Is Art/Sleep Through The Fire". But judging by the reaction it got I'm not the only one with that opinion. Hannah Georgas came out for her part on "BC Orienteering", which was really cool. Oddly enough, I think I've only seen them once where she wasn't there for that song. She stuck around for "The Light Is You" before taking off.
They also played a new song, which I really liked, but didn't catch the name of (my new game is to guess the titles for new songs, and for this one I guess "Information Age") Near the end of their set, they dedicated "False Creek Change" to the whale that was chilling out in false creek earlier that day (which I still think was just elaborate viral marketing for their show). They finshed up with "Camilo (The Magaician)", which predictably saw everyone going nuts, and another one of my favourites, "Goodnight Moon", which I will never get tired of seeing live.
That could have been all, and it would have totally been worth it... and based on the crowds response, I think the whole place agreed... but no! There was more to come!

setlist
Emerald Lake AB, The City's A Mess, Love is Art/Sleep Through the Fire, BC Orienteering, The Light Is You, My Government Heart, Holly Ont -> Dear Elkhorn, New Song (Information Age?), Gift of a Black Heart, False Creek Change, Camilo (The Magician), Goodnight moon.


The amazing thing about Plants & Animals is that if you were to just hear them live, you would think there must be at least 5 or 6 people on stage. But nope, it's just the three of them. They manage to create an incredibly rich and lush sound that is quite simply staggering. Even though some tracks didn't sound exactly like they do on the album, that wasn't necessarily a bad things. Most of the time it was just something punched up, or a tweak here and there. It was never distracting, but added to the songs.
They kicked off the set with "New Kind Of Love", and played a pretty good mix of songs from the new La La Land and their previous Parc Avenue. Most of the first few songs were a bit mellower, and while they were all good -- "Jeans Jeans Jeans" being a standout -- I don't want to say the set "dragged", but it was maybe coming close. However, they completely changed that with the second half of the set. And since the first half of the set was already really good, when the second half stepped it up a notch and killed it, that's saying something. The ten minute jamming epic of "Faerie Dance". My favourite off the new album, "American Idol", with it's huge energy and backup saxophone (the only time there were more than the three of them on stage). The absolutely insane "Mercy", which is one of my favourite songs overall, not just P&A. Then "ending" the set with the newest single, "The Mama Papa", which was even more high energy than on the album. The encore was equally mind blowing, with the always-great-live "Feedback In The Field" and the extended version of "Guru", with a cover of "Sinnerman" slipped in.

I was vaguely disappointed with one thing though: the chanting chorus of Mercy would have been an amazing time for Said The Whale to come out and help on vocals... but while I was hoping for that, I wasn't expecting it, so I can't really be too sad it didn't happen. Other than that, it was a stupendous show, and I can't wait to see either bands live again.


setlist (there is one song I am not sure of; I think it was Tom Cruz played second, but I could be mistaken)
New Kind Of Love, Tom Cruz, Fake It, Celebration, Good Friend, Jeans Jeans Jeans, Game Shows, Undone Melody, Faerie Dance, Swinging Bells, American Idol, Mercy, The Mama Papa.
(encore) Feedback in the Field, Guru/Sinnerman.