Dan Griffin, Nick Rose, Jay McCarrol - Dakota (Aug 7/13)

Dan Griffin
It was a highly anticipated show from Mr. Dan Griffin as his previous Dakota had left many disappointed when it sold out ahead of time. Backed by The Regrets, he played a fairly extensive selection of music his old offering Leave Your Love. These included The Fire with some massive feedback before the quickstop ending, Stars and Satellites, Leave Your Love, and some shaker for Lorne Park. He started a sampling of an older tune and faded the "fall in love" chorus into Emily. As well there were new, upbeat tunes and some from the Bordertown EP, including the title track.

As an encore he returned with Come Back Home and then with Tyler Kite and Nick Rose they played the old Tom Petty jam, You Wreck Me.

It may have slightly underwhelmed the expectations but his Dylan impression still ain't half bad.

Nick Rose
Another solo set was to follow, this from Nick Rose who has been seen primarily with Dwayne Gretzky, Toronto's premier cover band. On this eve he would not be dipping into others works however but displaying his own, played on an acoustic guitar. They were relatively straightforward sonically while the lyrics were quirky and oddball. He sang about his above average number of arms, since a small but real amount of people have only one, or even no arms, while essentially nobody has three or more. For the record Nick has two arms which he used to play his guitar rather nicely underneath this frivolity. 

Jay McCarrol
Jay McCarrol began the night, introduced by the headliner, and proceeded with a solo piano show. It was an impressive display with the downfall being the early set so people were still arriving and catching up, therefore not providing the attention deserved. Jay even had to call us out with a couple songs remaining and plead for some attention. Even his Swing Lo Magellan cover, great as it was fought for the airwaves. All who did pay him respect were rewarded sonically; very lovely.

Hayden - Yonge Dundas Square (June 14/13)

Hayden had announced just a few days earlier at Field Trip that he, along with the other two members of his band, would be opening for The National the following week. Naturally the show a mere six days later wouldn't differ drastically from the afternoon set but with Hayden's deep repertoire and stage presence it was worth checking out again. As before they opened with Taylor Knox up front before jumping behind the kit and the first half played out similarly including Worthy of Your Esteem and Rainy Saturday. The set list did vary slightly and Hayden returned to the piano for some worthwhile time. They included Bad as they Seem and Dynamite Walls, which gets me everytime, especially as Taylor's hair was flying during his mid-song drum breakdown. Once again Lou Canon joined him onstage for their recent duet which was perhaps even better this time around. Altogether worth getting their early for.

Evening Hymns, Andy Shauf - Drake Underground (Nov 14/13)

An amazing performer in an intimate setting made the most of the opportunity. Jonas has been touring the magnificent Spectral Dusk for over a year now and despite being impressed by the album release show, this, the first show of the final leg, made it clear that there is no ceiling for this talented musician. He opened solo, primarily playing his (out of place, shiny,silver-speckled) electric guitar often into loops, while adding from his keyboard and his excellent voice poured into a couple of mics. There is just something about him that is captivating and this night was no different. He worked some more delicate songs like Arrows early, giving a personal intro to his brother who was in attendance and about whom he had written You and Jake. Still by his lonesome he debuted a new song for the very first time live, Light as a Feather, which was very short and may take a couple more listens. All this before building it up with an awesomely layered Mtn Song that built and built as did the glee in the room.

This was only the first half of the set and we'd already experience so much greatness. His performances are intense and exude emotion which really makes for a captivating atmosphere. To aid in this a bass player and opener, Andy Shauf, joined him on the drums. Andy played with great intensity which was much appreciated especially on some of the louder songs that they played in the latter half. Included in this bunch were another two new tracks which may be included in the upcoming album he is to write after this tour completes that will assuredly not be entitled Draft Dodger (as per his banter). Rescue Team was a slight departure from Spectral Dusk that hit a little harder while the other new song followed the Hayden cover (Dynamite Walls) and actually took a few cues from it, which was most definitely a good thing. They actually used this as their exit before we begged Jonas to return and he agreed with one song. Just as he had begun the show he ended it by himself on stage playing the title and final track from Spectral Dusk and leaving us devastated by the music yet elated. That is power in song.

Andy Shauf

To be honest when I first saw Andy play it was a bit of an odd experience which may have lead to my mixed feelings. This time around I didn't have to deal with this and listened more carefully to the oddly literal lyrics in his distinctive voice and appreciated the whole experience a great deal more. The story within Hometown Hero for example paints a very vivid picture in the mind of the listener while still being an enjoyable aural experience. Once again his banter included the odd yet giggle-inducing "does anyone have any questions?" which seems to set people at ease so I guess it does it's job, as does his simple, solo guitar set.

Wildlife, Bravestation - Lee's (Nov 9/13)

Perhaps one of Toronto's most underrated bands (still!) Wildlife played yet another excellent set, this time to a decent-sized Lee's Palace weekend crowd. Once again with all members donning the band uniform, this time all black with a yellow band, they put on quite the performance. Not as coordinated and cohesive as some of their previous shows that seemed to be rehearsed down to the second this gig was a great opportunity for them to play their ..On the Heart material for the hometown crowd after a long delay since it's release early this year. The evolution of the music is exciting as it takes what Strike Hard, Young Diamond did and furthers it. Born to Ruin for example has that killer kick drum that thuds throughout both on record and in a live setting. They didn't forget the previous album however, going back to standout Stand in the Water before closing up with the excellent Killing for Fun which included an unintroduced extra member playing and singing along. With the appetite for it they returned for an encore to satiate us after their welcome return.

Bravestation, another hometown band, mentioned that it had been a dream to play on the Lee's Palace stage which is understandable as it is a beloved Toronto institution (despite the bathrooms). They did a stand up job of it too, in part because their drummer forewent kick drums or even a seat to pound his kit while standing in his toque and headphones, while also working some electronic drums and a laptop. Besides him there was a bass and an electric guitar that filled out the rock band who didn't make a bad showing of it all told.

River Tiber - Drake Underground (Nov 21/13)

Adding to the six neon words already up around the Drake Underground in bright orange read a stylized "River Tiber". In front of this sign stood the four piece making up that entity. Seemingly the brainchild of multi-instrumental singer (keyboard and electric guitar on this night) the group was fleshed out by a full time guitarist, bassist and drummer fitted with electric drums in his kit. Combined with the backing samples, the electro keys and synthesized voice they came across as an indie rock band with a noticeable electro edge. As previously noted the droning and building upon this structure comes across like a not-half-bad Kid A-era Radiohead. It seemed well thought out and meticulously arranged which is why it was especially irksome that what sounded like a recording from a police scanner cut from underneath many songs, even when it was quite out of place. The album, Synapses, and The Star Falls EP, for which this served as the release party, are quite good and the music translates to the stage but the band could give more of a presence. The various projections behind them, from birds to army parachuting in reverse, lent an interesting distraction briefly until it began to loop. An encore showcased a couple older tunes, one of which proved they used to unabashedly rock rather than the more balanced new approach (which I much prefer). The final featured only the two guitarists on a 'very old' (3 years old) tune and wasn't the best way to end a decent show but happened regardless of my say.

Lovely Feathers, Taylor Knox Band, Wax Atlantic - Dakota (Nov 7/13)

They said it had only been three years but for me it had been forever as I never saw The Lovely Feathers at all the first time around. My memory was of quirky fun and it was all that; perky and enjoyable. Sure the rust may have shown on a couple tracks as the members weren't quite in sync with each other or the impromptu encore that saw them remembering only a couple verses but the crowd was enthusiastic and forgiving. A five-piece male group that also featured double keys, one set being synths, that gave the set even more lightness. It seems people haven't strictly kept the records on the shelf during their absence, or maybe hooks like 'Pope John Paul, where you from? KRAKOW, POLAND' and 'She said hi to the man of the house. She said I am the man of the house' are hard to forget. Alongside In the Valley they also included a few new tracks which showed promise for an extended return, especially as these songs sounded more than alright. Even using one fresh tune for their highly-demanded but obviously unplanned encore worked well with a surging chorus, even if they missed their mark on the coordinated quick stop. That was the way the set went though, a little rough, a little quick, a little quirky but a lot of entertainment. Stick around.

Not sure if it was strictly a Taylor Knox night he was up second, fronting his three-piece eponymous band. The uniform seemed to be long hair but otherwise all black, notably bucked by the joyous drummer whose shirt pattern fell in line with the rug's print. None of this affected their rock and roll roots. Taylor's vocals seemed to be unclear and down in the mix so it was a slightly unfair first impression of his independent work but piqued interest for a future opportunity. It added a special edge when he swapped out for his 12 string. Yes, please!

The Wax Atlantic five benefited from the Toronto everyman's presence as Taylor Knox played his electric guitar throughout the set. This consisted of some very decent piano- based rock pop and the boys had fun with it throughout. For likenesses it's easy to point a finger to Waterloo's Will Currie who leads an indie piano pop troupe of his own but also hints of the Golden Dogs. The link from the Golden Dogs and their Paul McCartney cover can then awkwardly be drawn to mid era Beatles. Regardless of influence or similarity they stood their own, playing an early set to a sizable crowd of Young Lions.

Picture the Ocean - Cameron House (Oct 28/13)

They just so happened to be the band playing at the Cameron House that night but as far as happenstances go, it was a pretty good one. The key player was the lead male and his electric guitar, accompanied by his lady on keys, a bleach-blonde, unmoving, sorta she-punk, and a male beat keeper. Opening with the only song I'd ever heard from them, minutes earlier in preparation, it was their anthem of sorts mentioning their band name, Picture the Ocean, within the song. Not breaking many molds they played accessible indie-pop with the vocals shared by the married fronting duo. This carried on for some time, adding in an instrumental song and on the set finale a tambourine. Entertaining enough for a time, it didn't seem necessary to stick around for the second set.