Who we saw at CMW

Many thanks to Kelly Bergeron for providing ihm with this recap of this year's Canadian Musicfest!

$100 (Thursday @ Horseshoe Tavern)
Country music isn't for me usually, but I've only heard that this band has a certain edge that the sometimes under-appreciated genre is missing. Lead singer Simone was quite the presence in a room full of male lead singers this evening and it was brilliant to see her carry her voice through such a wide range. She swayed and sang to the crowd, in a captivating fashion, and encouraged us to embrace some slow dancing opportunities.

Download "Blaze Of Glory"

Basia Bulat (Saturday @ Lee's Palace)
I have to admit, I have been a fan for a while but never took the time to check out Basia's live show in fear that at such a young age, she might not have the confidence to pull it off. Well, I had regrets after seeing her show on Saturday night. Not only did she pull off the set with such a gleam of assurance, but connected with her band mates and audience in appreciation. Her songs were all well-played and she didn't seem to miss a chord, taking on everything from the ukulele (after some technical difficulties), to her guitar and her harp. She's adorable and pixie-like with the voice that could break a thousand hearts at once. She's currently recording a new album and I'm hoping that this next one makes her a household name, at least in Canada.

Black Diamond Bay (Friday @ Rancho Relaxo)
Rancho became a circus even before Black Diamond Bay came on. No one could move and
I am almost certain it was because they wanted to come and witness the wall of sound
that this band produces on stage. Patrick Krief alone could hold that audience with
his guitar playing, but with his band, also known as his "brothers", their sound is
loud, bluesy, and hard-hitting. At one point during the end of the show, Krief took
his guitar playing into the audience where everyone just stood there astounded by the
intensity of his playing. Hendrix-comparisons all round.

Download "Mercury"

Chad VanGaalen (Thursday @ Horseshoe Tavern)
Chad has grown from the little amount of time that he's been touring in support of all his amazing albums: Soft Airplane, Skelliconnection, and Infiniheart. His stage presence is wrapped in a certainty that only years of practice could teach. Everyone was here to see his sweet and somewhat lyrically-twisted songs take place on the live
stage. As he brought Soft Airplane's magnificent gems to the audience, songs like "Molten Light", "Inside the Molecules" and "Willow Tree" were even more melodic and layered than on the record. Chad once again demonstrated that if he continues to drive even more great albums out to the world, that he has the ingredients to become Canada's hottest export since Neil Young.

Download "Willow Tree"

Gentlemen Reg (Thursday @ Horseshoe Tavern)
After such a long time of teetering on the brink of success, it's nice to see someone finally being recognized by the masses. It was easy to see that many packed the 'Shoe tonight because of this man. His songs are surrounded in sugary-pop lyrics that speak of romance and simple pleasures of life. He delivered a heartwarming and appreciative set with full enjoyment of the spotlight, a role to which he was born to live out. A surprise appearance by Liz Powell of Land of Talk, who co-wrote
Coastlines, added an even bigger thrill to the evening by providing killer backup vocals on stage. His new album, Jet Black, is out now and is receiving high praise.

Herman Düne (Saturday @ Lee's Palace)
This band has been around since '99, they hail from France and yet sing about California like it's their second home. Herman Düne's alt-folk songs are cheeky, sweet and well-crafted. The band sports a certain playfulness on stage, and enjoyed
the audience reactions as lyrics about nomadic-tendencies held full attention. At one point in the show, Herman spoke about a Julie Doiron song collaboration, who they once played backing-band for. Seems like such a perfect fit.

The Lovely Feathers (Thursday @ Horseshoe Tavern)
Regrouping after their previous release and taking their time finishing up this record, which will be debut in the Spring, the band showed that they still had the energy and excitement for being back in the game and tonight they gave the crowd their all. They sang their danceable, rock-anthems while breaking a sweat onstage. Songs like "Pope John Paul" and "The Wrong Choice" were definitely great Talking Heads-influenced tunes that jolted and kept everyone in frenzy. A great start to a long night of music-going.

Sprengjuhöllin (Friday @ Rancho Relaxo)
This was hands-down my favourite show of the fest. This Icelandic band delivered Malajube-esque rock/pop tunes with such high energy and an appreciation for the audience. If you have ever witnessed some great stage banter, this is the band that could probably top anyone in the weirdness/hilarity department. They discussed sausages with the plastic wrap around them, introduced their buddy from Major Maker as the CN Tower (I think he's about 7 feet tall), and thought up charming ways to get us to buy their CDs (so they wouldn't have to bring them on the plane). They are chart-toppers in Iceland and I am almost 100% certain, that with the right word of mouth, they will make their mark on North America as well.

Download "The Drive"

Women (Thursday @ Horseshoe Tavern)
Women are receiving so much well-deserved attention all over the blogosphere and in print. Their album draws comparisons to the Mamas and Papas and the Velvet Underground. I've seen them play live before and they mesmerized me by the ability they have to translate experimental noise into great shoegaze rock. Tonight, VanGaalen was playing with the band, and the sound was even more chaotic than usual. Maybe it was the venue, because I've seen their sound be more on par with what they were trying to achieve, but the sound wasn't as clear as it could have been. The crowd didn't seem to mind; they were cheering and swaying as the band played a retro, White Stripes-influenced set.