Halifax Pop Explosion 2014
Friday, October 24, 2014
Thursday Reviews Thursday / Third day
Badbadnotgood at the MultiPurpose Centre
Hag Face at Gus’ Pub (late show) Michael McGrath
Jonathan Briggins
Last year, Toronto hip hop jazz instrumental band Badbadnotgood were one of the most talked about bands at HPX13. This year the secret was out and expectations were raised. First off, they played the Forum Multi-Purpose Centre, a large bingo hall attached to a hockey rink, and much larger than the venues they played last year. The band specializes in energy management with Alex Sowinski telling the crowd when to clap along and go all out jumping. When the trio played their high energy cover of Hudson Mohawk’s “Bugg’N”, a cover that carries more force than the original, it was the turning point of the show as evidenced by the first crowdsurfer (who was being encouraged by Sowinski) and a noticeable increase of pot in the air.When they finished their set, they didn’t take their instruments off the stage as you’ll see below.
There was a sèance last night in Halifax’s North End in everyone’s favourite local pub, and it was started and ended by Calgary’s Hag Face. The band played earlier that day at Gus’ Pub so a few people there already knew what to expect, but the general feeling in the room was that most people had no idea what they were getting into. The vocalist/bassist had black makeup shooting from her eyes, and it was fitting. Hag Face played a short, yet amazing set.Their songs recorded sound slightly empty, but when played live they really get the chance to breathe. Every note they played sounded like true spooky sludge. The overall feeling of “creepy” and “witch punk” (one of their tags on bandcamp) was present in the room, and it definitely seemed as though most people welcomed what will surely be their favourite new Halloween music.
Michael Feuerstack at the Carleton
Dark For Dark at the Carleton
Geoff Tobin
Geoff Tobin
Feuerstack’s set, while the mellowest of the evening,
The crowd started off a little rowdy last night at the
hooked the crowd with his easy delivery and raw, clever,
Carleton as Dark for Dark took the stage, but the
and on-the-nose lyrics. His songs were highlighted
audience shushed one another into submission to
best when accompanied by Tim Crabtree (Paper Beats
better-hear these ladies’ lilting, melting harmonies.
Scissors) playing the clarinet and tenor saxophone.
Their instrumentation is beautiful and tastefully
And although he teased, Feuerstack never did clear us
sparse, but their three voices (Rebecca Zolkower,
up on how to pronounce his last name.
Jess Lewis, and Melanie Stone) are, all by themselves, enough to whisk an audience away.
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Raekwon and Ghostface Killah at the Multi-Purpose Centre Jonathan Briggins
Halifax has an interesting relationship with big hip hop acts. Way too many shows have been cancelled in the past, including this past summer at Halifax Jazz Festival when Yasiin Bey was a no show and the crowd didn’t find out until moments before he was supposed to arrive.With this history in mind, it’s not surprising the crowd started booing and voicing frustration when Raekwon and Ghostface Killah were nowhere to be seen 70 minutes after the schedule start time of 9 p.m. for Raekwon. If you stuck around, your patience was rewarded as Raekwon “The Chef ” and Ghostface Killah “Tony Starks” took to the stage along with local DJ Uncle Fester. “Customs always give us problems but we always find a way through,” said Ghostface Killah. The duo pulled in songs from throughout the Wu-Tang Clan discography and made reference to their past accomplishments all throughout the night. The rumours were true, Badbadnotgood came out towards the end of the show and backed up Starks and the Chef for a number of songs including a jazzy rendition of “C.R.E.A.M” and a cover of “The World Is Yours” by NAS. While the collaboration was cool, at times the improvisational aspect fell a little flat as there would be delays between songs as Ghostface huddled with BBNG to figure out what to do next. Regardless, it’s always a treat to see great musicians collaborate, especially when it’s a surprise. Every music festival builds up hype with secret guests and other hidden treats. While this one took a while to realize, and lots of people left, it was well worth the wait.
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Jennah Barry at the Carleton Geoff Tobin Jennah Barry seems well on her way to becoming a national treasure, and I’m for it. Her unwavering charm, exquisite song-writing, and disarming voice are the real deal. Barry seemed playfully stern while trying to reign in her band, the gentlemen from Halifax band Walrus, whose sound carried a little more heft than her audiences are used to. But the balance worked and kept the crowd on their feet before she ended the night with a warm and quiet closer, along with Rebecca Zolkower and Melanie Stone, to send them back out to the cold, wet streets of Halifax.
Operators at the Marquee Club Jonathan Briggins A band that’s only released one EP rarely headlines a show at a music festival, but Operators aren’t exactly a usual band. When your band is fronted by Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsom Furs, Divine Fits) things are different. Unsurprisingly the trio, featuring Divine Fits bandmate Sam Brown and multiinstrumentalist Devojka, played a lot of new material from an EP and album that will both be released in the next little while. The crowd didn’t seem to care where the songs came from and danced along to every song. Live, the songs carried much more force than on record. A few songs into the set, Boeckner pulled out a guitar while Brown bombed away on drums and Devojka made everybody move by turning and pressing things on a table full of analog gear.
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to them with Kyle’s guitar putting huge amounts
Swearin’ at Gus’ Pub
of layer and texture over the melody Allison plays.
Michael McGrath
Crutchfield sounds and feels like a modern day
Philadelphia band Swearin’ are a fuzzed out emo
Kim Deal that was raised listening to The Promise
pop-punk dream. Allison Crutchfield and Kyle
Ring in a basement. There’s a sense of sadness in
Gilbride of Swearin’ both take care of guitar and
the songs they play but it feels more clever than
vocals as a unit, trading off each other vocally and
anything. Allison is an experienced songwriter with
building off each other with their guitars at every
an amazing way with words, and an amazing way
single chance. The band has a scrappy sort of charm
with performing.
Hag Face at Gus’ Pub -
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Photo by Ming Wu
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Operators at the Marquee -
Photo by Ming Wu
Operators at the Marquee -
Photo by Ming Wu
Maicamia at Gus’ Pub -
Kalle Mattson at St. Matthews’s Church -
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Photo by Ming Wu
Photo by Evan McIntyre
Kappa Chow at Reflections -
The Wooden Sky at St. Matthews’s Church -
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Photo by Ming Wu
Photo by Evan McIntyre
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Walrus at Reflections -
Photo by Ming Wu
Walrus at Reflections -
Photo by Ming Wu
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Windom Earl at Reflections -
Photo by Evan McIntyre
Windom Earl at Reflections -
Photo by Evan McIntyre
Rich Aucoin at Reflections -
Rich Aucoin at Reflections -
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Photo by Ming Wu
Photo by Evan McIntyre
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Rich Aucoin at Reflections -
Photo by Evan McIntyre
Rich Aucoin at Reflections -
Photo by Evan McIntyre
Mix Pick Friday Mozart’s Sister’s exhilarating electro-pop Words by Jane Caufield
Press photo by Vanessa Heins
While the electro-pop world of today seems to be wrought with mediocre beats and uninspired lyrics, Mozart’s Sister is creating something that is both exhilarating and unforgettable. Which, interesting factoid, is exactly what the real Mozart’s Sister, Maria Anna, didn’t get a chance to do with her own musical career. Montreal’s Caila Thompson-Hannant is the creative genius behind Mozart’s Sister. She previously played in Shapes & Sizes and Miracle Fortress before making her mark with a unique take on electro-pop. Perhaps the most notable thing about Mozart’s Sister is her dedication to honing her skills and learning more about her craft. While she only
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has two official albums under her belt - 2013’s Hello EP and the August 2014 release of her first LP, Being - you can hear subtle maturities in her sound. She’s able to switch emotions on a single hook and elevate rhythms with a simple twist of a riff. Yet, in amongst all the noise and sonic waves, there is a hint of introspection throughout her music which may be indicative of her constant need to do better and be better. Which, if you ask me, is an ok thing to need in a world where it feels like anyone with a computer can create electro-pop. Catch Mozart’s Sister at Olympic Hall on Friday night and Gus’ Pub on Saturday night.
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Mix Pick Saturday Pour your heart out with Nick Ferrio & His Feelings Words by Geoff Tobin
Press photo from Pigeon Row Publicity
Nick Ferrio & His Feelings is an excellent name. The name itself has a honesty, earnestness, and a little bit of a wink. It’s a fitting moniker for Nick Ferrio’s country-folk effort --who is also a member of The Burning Hell, and Baby Eagle And The Proud Mothers -- and as good as the name is, his music quickly outshines it. Ferrio, based out of Peterborough, Ontario, released his first album, Introducing Nick Ferrio & His Feelings, in 2012 on Shuffling Feet Records. The album’s warm production is immaculate, sewn together with even-keeled vocal harmonies and gentle, brilliant pedalsteel work. The album was recorded with an old-country tradition: using two-inch tape machines and ribbon microphones. Ferrio’s firm grasp on folk and country and his sweet, understated voice recall influences like George Jones, Gram Parsons and Willy Nelson. Much of his debut album discusses death and murder, including one true story about a woman who shot her husband when she mistook him
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for a bear. And he pulls off singing about these morose topics without ever sounding gloomy. Lyrically, in particular, the album is as surprising as it is satisfying. I strongly suggest you check out the song “Always Searching”. In 2013, Ferrio followed his debut with a stripped-down seven-inch record produced by Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor on Seventh Fire Records. Both recordings are available on his website, nickferrio.com, digitally and on vinyl. His full-length follow-up, Amongst The Coyotes, is expected later this fall. This August, Ferrio performed in Sackville, New Brunswick’s Vogue Theatre as part of Sappyfest 2014. He’s an alumni of both the Dawson City Music Festival and the Peterborough Folk Festival, and he’s spent time touring Canada and Europe, both as Nick Ferrio & His Feelings, and with The Burning Hell. Ferrio plays the Marquee Ballroom on Saturday, Oct. 25th, along with Maica Mia, Gianna Lauren, and headliner Cold Specks.
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jackpine is a design studio. it’s a studio full of creative people who go the extra mile (or in some cases 594 miles) to help make cool projects come to life. thanks for the good times, halifax. drop by the studio next time you’re in ottawa. jackpine.co
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