Weather Station duets - Dakota Tavern (Feb 15/13)

Tamara Lindeman was the brainchild behind this intimate night of duets from a group of familiar faces from the Toronto indie music scene. Tamara plays a key role in Bruce Peninsula but takes center stage as a solo artist under the moniker The Weather Station. However on this evening she was more than willing to share the limelight with deserving artists that run within the circle. For as she mentioned off the top during her introduction, music is something often written from a very personal, and even lonely, space yet it then becomes an integral part of a musician's identity and the conversations that they then have. She looked at this duet project as a way to open up that conversation from the beginning. This evening was the display of the fruits of this attempt.

It began in an understated manner as Tamara simply went from soundchecking to picking her small acoustic guitar lightly until the crowd, diners and drinkers alike, realized and cut conversation completely. She played two lovely solo songs to set the mood before inviting her first guest of the early evening show - Simone Schmidt (who plays in One Hundred Dollars and Fiver). Coupling this country twang voice with Tamara's excellent, but delicate, sound worked amazingly well as they both picked away. Things were off to a sweet start and they did a second number together before passing the baton to Misha Bower.

Misha and Tamara must be used to singing together from their roles in Bruce Peninsula so it wasn't surprising to hear the great harmonies they could produce with just the two of them. After a tune accompanied by guitar they put away all instruments for a gutsy a capella number which wowed us all.

Continuing with the BP band members the second bearded man in command from that band, Matt Cully, accompanied for a nice song called Brothers and Sisters (which he admitted to giving to writing for this purpose and then retaking it for his forthcoming solo project). Misha chimed in on the following as the three of them sang Chair on Fire.

The man going by Marine Dreams joined next. The first song was fraught with confusion as things sounded amiss but it wasn't until partway through the song that they realized his guitar was tuned differently. Once that was rectified they carried forward, completing the song and playing two more.

To return from the intermission we once again had to notice the soft strumming coming from the stage and silence soon fell. Steve Lambke aka Baby Eagle (aka Constantines member) was up next and their duet was quite engaging as well.

As Steve left a duo of females took his place - one named Felicity, though I didn't recognize either. They sang a poem converted to song as a threesome before Tamara stepped aside to allow them to sing an old standard that Tamara herself admitted stole the show to that point. These three petite females then sang a song backed by the towering Afie Jurvanen (Bahamas) on guitar. The juxtaposition between Afie's deep voice and the much higher Tamara's actually worked extremely well.

To close out the evening Tamara gushed about Ryan Driver's songwriting as she introduced him to play piano and sing, as well as a man named Charles to play the stand-up bass and sing as well. They then displayed this songwriting ability on the first song of the evening to feature any instruments beyond the acoustic guitar. It worked. To conclude the evening they played a song "we all wished we'd written" and wrapped the night up with a quick-stop ending that brought a rousing round of applause.

As was pointed out it is not that easy to get all of these talented people into a room together at the same time. It was a real treat to see the depth of the talent in even this small sampling of the Toronto pool of artists. We should all feel the bump of civic pride.

Bruce Peninsula (Junction Fest, Sept 22/12)

It was a surprisingly spirited performance by the local closers for the Junction Street Festival. Shouldn't have been surprised however as Bruce Peninsula always seem to bring the spirit. Not to mention the crowd gathered on the cool, early autumn night were more than just passersbys. Band in full, they brought the choir to the street and brought the street alive. Neil was his jovial self, chattering between well-loved songs. However they did include an unfamiliar song that had no introduction to explain where it came from. The Swimming Song required no introduction as Loudon Wainwright III's gem soared live yet again. The regular closing pair worked as per usual and I can't remember if they changed it up at all but either way it is all pleasant memories of the band doing their thing for their neighbourhood.

Bruce Peninsula, Dusted, Skeletones Four (Great Hall, May 24 '12)

Bruce Peninsula put on a jubilant first show back after a string of at least four late last year. Not only was the crowd enthusiastic but the band themselves were ecstatic to be reunited; hugging and laughing amongst themselves. It is always a treat to see them in full and that's what we got as all ten members belted it out for us in the lovely and relatively full Great Hall. At one point the crowd unanimously broke into a massive handclap on the first beat of the breakdown which brought a large smile to lead male vocalist Neil Haverty. Similarly when second man sang The Swimming Song, one of my favourite covers (period) I had an equal beam back. Their own material was just as great and following Adrenaline they closed out strong with Steamroller with Neil finding himself steamrolled to the stage, a move he'd concede afterward were accidental but evidenced the power of the song nonetheless. The encore cheers were legitimate, hauling everyone back out for the first song they ever wrote together, Weave Myself a Dress, into Crabapples that Neil climbing to the balcony to close the triumphant set.

Dusted

Dusted is Brian Borcherdt's incarnation outside of Holy Fuck that isn't his stripped down solo work. This project borrows from both - the high vocals through mic effects, the similar guitar of his solo work, but the more full sounding and effects of Holy Fuck. The drum set carried a keyboard, effect knobs and electronic drum pad (as well as a backlit, transparent kick drum). Volume was up and music enjoyable though as it was a first listen the set did run slightly long, even with the mid show appearance of a large, red-panted and bearded violinist to mix it up. Outside of Holy Fuck this may be the happiest medium for Brian's musical output.

Skeletones Four, as the name suggests, are a 4 piece from Guelph, Ontario. They embody the guitar

as their clear, ringingly sound is obviously technically polished and sounds great. Primarily guitar-focused there are some lyrics to surround the instrumental breakdowns that are sincere and do not come across as proggy or pretentious. The bass lines emanating from the Gordon brother, Evan, in his signature cowboy boots and buckle, were strong and smooth, especially on third from last, also the best song of the set. Someone said they should score a movie and I could hear it; a gripping tale of adventure and suspense.

Bruce Peninsula with Bruce Peninsula (Dakota Tavern, Nov 16)

The Dakota Tavern is a wonderfully intimate place, and the Bruce Peninsula band is full of wonder that best rubs off in an intimate setting. Having played a slew of shows in Toronto since reviving the revue not even half a year ago, this one was not to be missed not only because the new album has now had time to resonate but it would be in this small space. As an additional bonus they displayed some of their sometimes overlook wonders by opening for themselves. Yes, a novel idea where they allowed their members to showcase some of their solo or side material, or just to have a different tank on BP mainstays.

Starting off this quirky set was a solo acoustic guitar under the the Choir of the Bruce Peninsula. Following we heard from the Tamara-led, also acoustic, Weather Station, and one from Andrew who traded his bass for guitar and vocals. The band reconvened for the new Or So I Dreamed before a personal highlight in Eons that included Matt's vocals alongside the four females and lap steel. Micha set the entire band rolling with their a capella parts and then sang over it to great results. Ensemble they slowed down Shutters before the drummer stepped forward. First he gave a history of popular drummer-cum-frontmen before singing a song that was quite enjoyable, pausing in the middle for a seemingly incongruous ramble about a classic Christmas film, before he finally brought it back around tying it in to vocal rhythms. And then split the crowd and asked us to provide the vocal rhythm to complete the song - it was quirky, funny and fun. Neil Haverty, 'lead singer', brought it down a little with a slower number on electric guitar before Micha led us in a Sesame Street singalong 'bout jelly. Don't ask - it fit somehow. In first set finale it was a live favourite in their take on Loudon Wainwright III's Swimming Song  that was as strong as ever.

The "ten minute break" before the main set stretched much further but it wasn't as if anyone was going anywhere. Bruce Peninsula were about to play their new material plus a smattering of old favourites. In fact Neil had the idea of opening with Satisfied to get things rolling off the top. Good call! Following that was a joyous set of new Open Flames, As Long As I Live, Pull Me Under and single, Your Light amongst them. This was done with a full contingent of nine members squashed on the tiny stage, as their tour manager joined them to add double percussion throughout (yay!). Playing a bass and lap steel on the same track is impressive and was often accomplished. Another highlight was the new Say Yeah which started slower but built up so, so well. Adrenaline further proved how versatile and great the new material is with it's unique percussion. Micha led what I believe was a cover about a lying salesman before they hit us with Inside/Outside into Steamroller. Honestly, I swear it never gets old.

No chance were they getting off that easy - despite playing practically their entire repertoire. They did a number by a preacher with a gusty call-and-response chorus and then surged the night to climax with a rousing Crabapples in closing. Tastes just fine to me!

Bruce Peninsula, Jennifer Castle - Lower Ossington Theatre - Summerworks (Aug 11, 2011)

Whereas the last show was a reemergence for Bruce Peninsula, this was a refresh, since for the majority of the show the band played new music from their forthcoming October release. Only bookending the set with classic BP standards. Amongst the couple off the top was Steamroller before the nine piece got into new material that they likened to baking all night (put the ingredients together and hope something tasty comes out). Well the ingredients remain the same, four guys on guitar/slide guitar, bass, drums plus a choir of ladies creating glorious harmonies and occasionally contributing shakers, tambo and even banjo. In Your Light was upbeat in Bruce's typical fashion. As Long As I Live was drum heavy and it worked. Pull Me Under has been showcased live before (likely at The Rivoli), as had the shouting chorus to Say Yeah. A change of pace was provided by Or So I Dreamed (not Unforgiven for Metallica reasons as they explained) that opened with slide guitar and had only female vocals. Open Flames was different too as it was a slightly quieter 'power ballad'. The final new track featured a fantastic five piece female vocal harmony but I missed the title (S something). To polish up the set the old reliable Crabapples rocked the somewhat reserved L.O.T crowd, and the lead singer tried to change that up by rocking right into the crowd. Even the encore mixed in the recently released Salesman before the solid one-two punch of Second-Fourth World War into Satisfied. Leaning heavily on new material, and being in a less-than-party space the crowd energy was slightly lacking for the show but the band was into it and the preview of the album creates even more anticipation.

Jennifer Castle sat in her shiny shirt and quietly picked her electric guitar for a captive audience. Her dynamic voice has that country tinge, akin to $100 vocals, and they really were the saving grace to a somewhat monotonous set. They were ever-so-prominently featured when she did an entire song a cappella in the otherwise silent space - confidence! She did pick up the pace slightly to strum Powers too. She definitely has the voice to pull it off.

Bruce Peninsula (Rivoli NXNE, June 16, 2011)

It was a comeback show of sorts for Bruce Peninsula, meaning that it was an even more joyous affair than the already-wonderful regular BP show. Following a health-battle over the winter, Neil Havarty was finally back at the helm and obviously happy to be there - both through his demeanour and words. With six vocalists across the front, closing down a great NXNE night at the Rivoli they played a handful of songs presumably off the delayed-til-September new album (but unfortunately not their cover of the Swimming Song). Additionally they broke out some old favourites in the form of set closers Steamroller and Crabapples. As if everyone in the room hadn't done enough hollering and hand-clapping they returned to bring the house down, rolling 2nd 4th World War right into Satisfied! I think I've closed with this cheesy line before, but it sure did leave us all Satisfied.