Polaris Music Prize 2012 Reaction

Feist? For Metals?

Rich Aucoin, Stepdad, Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt (Lee's Sept 20/12)

Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt

You could easily have been mistaken to think that Rich Aucoin had gone on early had you arrived at Lees Palace in time for Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt. In fact, Rich was in the crowd as the man in a floral dress and five-finger footwear lead a handful of enthusiastic Torontonians through his rendition of a party. Similar to Rich there was a live drummer to amplify prerecorded songs and then the singer shouting along in the crowd (and on the counters and from the stage and anywhere really). In addition there was a female vocalist who joined in at times. To get the party going they tracked a conga line throughout the bar which disintegrated into back massages. They all took a knee. There was a group hug. A bucket of lights were handed out to dance with which complimented the glowing, strobe light effigy that was built on stage. They hosted an impromptu dance off, pretty impressive, and in true Aucoin style busted out a purple parachute. The leader encouraged everyone to join in saying "this ain't no Rich Aucoin parachute" (but it kinda looked like it was). The music quality may not quite be that high for this Nashville band but they definitely know how to bring the party so perhaps in time, like their protege Rich, they'll match music to production.

Stepdad
Sonically Stepdad were superior to TPDR but that doesn't mean there's as much to write about. Five guys making quick, catchy fun pop rock that for some reason reminded me of the late 90s ska revival feeling - Zebrahead and the like. Firmly based on strong, fast drums they had bass, synths and an electronic pad (when not an electric guitar) that accompanied the singer. This man, featured on the majority of their merch, had size and a beard a la Damian from Fucked Up. However rather than the raspy vocals his were misrepresentatively smooth, and he even busted out a fine falsetto. People seemed to enjoy it though the audience participation was nowhere near either of the other two sets.

Rich Aucoin
Rich had his brother and another guy playing drums and guitar on stage but preferred to set his keyboard up right down on the floor of Lee's Palace. From here he had his classic slideshow intro - always original and interesting (plus a shout out to Hillside!) From here the antics began but with the amped up Toronto crowd the confetti, streamers and balloons became even more special. The lower floor of Lee's was rammed with sweaty, bouncing, singing and even people beyond its confines were dancing and jumping too. When the parachute was finally revealed near the end everyone wanted in on it and nearly all the glow sticks that had been handed out were tossed into it for a massive game of glow popcorn set to Rich's Double Rainbow remix. How do you top hundreds of people losing it under a parachute? Crowd surf and rip open the parachute that's been expectantly hanging over us all night to fill the room with balloons. Then everyone 'got our heads down' to 'Push til it's done'. Rich pushes it every night - we definitely matched him tonight!

Rah Rah & Rococode (Horseshoe Sept 18/12)

Rococode are an underrated four-piece make some indie rock songs with some deceiving dynamics. Vocals are shared between a male and female vocalist but it is Laura Smith who steals the spotlight with her delicate beauty and not so delicate vocals on songs like Empire. In other spots, like the opening number, there's an interplay akin to Mother Mother but that did not persist throughout. The synths and effects are important but do not overwhelm the bass, guitar and drums. It is the way these elements play off each other and cut in and out sometimes unexpectedly that keeps the music so interesting. The second last song had a "dry your eyes" backing chorus and really hit its mark. Impressed yet again.

Caught the last of the third band after ducking out for the second. Mystery Machine were four-man guitar-centric, fast rock band with punk tendencies and loyal fans.
Rah Rah were batting clean up after midnight at New Music Night and they definitely batted home a few runs. As with the new album, The Poet's Dead, they opened with Art and a Wife which is a good choice as it is a stand out song. There was a mix of older material, just as there was a mix of the six players swapping instruments - often mid-song. This kept things fresh as did the vocals coming from all around the stage - even whoever happened to be manning the kit. Halfway through the set they road tested a block of new material, and I may be biased as I like the new album but it went off well. Erin Passmore led on Prairie Girl which is a fun song and 20s has hit written on it if you ask me. The hollering on Henry is always fun, as is the drumsticks-around-the-room of Beaches. Once the R A H balloons were passed out late in Arrows the set was coming to a close but not before a beautiful closer in the Duet for Emmylou. This band is so great and they're working so hard I've gotta hope the recognition is there for this album. Can't wait for them to come back and tour it some more.

Setlist:

Stars (Edge Studios - Sept 12/12)

As Amy stepped out of the Jetta driven by Evan she joked that there had been a problem with the limo. Torq must have already been inside as they assembled on the studio stage with an unfamiliar acoustic guitarist. "Rather than stand here looking at each other for 7 minutes why don't we play them a song?" Torq mused once the door opened between musicians and fans, to the lovely, windy Toronto evening. This treat was a double acoustic version of their beautiful Your Ex Lover Is Dead. This song typifies the heart-wrenching lyrics and male-female interplay between Amy and Torq's fantastic voices that Stars have built themselves upon.

Following this song, with only two minutes until on-air, Torq threw out some suggestions for Amy and the new guitarist to riff on and Amy settled on Time After Time, which everyone - even Bookie - joined in on for the chorus after she sang the one verse anyone knew. Following Torq's playful version of the Sleep Country Canada jingle it was show time. Amy took the spotlight first, leading vocals on new song Backlines. Torq joined in and it was quite nice before he got to be the showcase on The North's title track. It was over all too soon but ever the performers they made those few minutes special.

Bloc Party (Edge Studios, Sept 11/12)

A windy waterfront had the Edge studio rolling door down up until the Bloc Party. Up went the door and on went the show - just a two man teaser with a seated acoustic guitar and Kele Okereke's signature vocals. He really put a lot into the first song, Truth, which has a very nice chorus plainly heard in this stripped down arrangement. Following the radio "thanks - once again, Bloc Party!" they played another solid new song from Four in Day Four. Personally I was hoping for a special throwback to Silent Alarm, especially This Modern Love, but it wasn't meant to be. It wasn't angular, it wasn't upbeat yet it was still enjoyable.

Wintersleep (Edge Studios Sept 10/12)

Paul Murphy, the Wintersleep singer was out chatting with the loosely assembled group of fans on the rock in front of the Edge studios until he was called away for soundcheck (half of  Nothing is Anything). Twenty minutes later the rock crowd had assembled in front of the studio where the core five-piece edition cranked out a full version of Nothing is Anything live on the air. The three guitars soared on this forthcoming single and led them straight into current chart burner, In Came the Flood. The singer had swapped acoustic for tambo on this and the crashing ending was fantastic. Likable on-air personality Bookie seemed into it and the crowd was too so we got a bonus off-air rendition of the "anti-climatic" Dead Letter & the Infinite Yes with some stellar backing vocals from Jon Samuel, the keyboardist/guitar player. Short and sweet set - a lovely primer for their upcoming full show in October. 

Arkells +Darcys, +Lights (CNE Aug 29/12)

The Darcys were the warm-up act and were doing a decent job of it. A 5 piece with a side stage drummer and two members who both played the keyboards and the guitar - sometimes on the same song. They had a downbeat prog drum sound on second last song Shaking Down the Old Bones. There were some prog-like elements coming through in the guitar too on the finale. Perhaps it wasn't the ideal venue for a band like this but they showed some musical prowess to a solid amount of people so that's gotta be a win.

Oh the Arkells are coming. All around Ontario this summer the Arkells were pumping out party anthems and having fun with their crowds. No different this time around they rocked out jams new and old. So new, in fact, they debuted one fittingly about Labour Day and in a very Joel Plaskett-like style rhymed about the QEW which they affectionately referred to as the Queen Lizzy. They also put another song to rest - hopefully forever.. Calling it the send-off from the summer they faded from Abigail into an introduction as the final time that the song should ever be heard and yes-they-did cover Call Me Maybe. Hilariously however, verses and all (who knew there were any verses?). Yet again Dan Griffin, or should I say Agent Zero, joined them as they literally "turned the lights down low". For On Paper Max couldn't ignore the sign reading "My name's Laura - you can't ignore it" and flashed it on stage before rounding out the set with Whistleblower.

The encore would have been a predictable three songs that again included Hall & Oates and John Lennon except they had a guest in Lights sing alone for a tune. Bit of a preview as they recently announced a tour with her coming right up. Hopefully they keep the collaboration going as it worked like a charm.