Pat Lepoidevin does Tranzac again (Oct 23, 2011)

Twas a small but captive audience at the Tranzac Friday to take in the Pat Lepodevin set. He opened with Fire, and a few other slightly louder songs from Highway Houses in an attempt to compete with the sound bleed from the rock show in the next room. As endearingly modest as ever he bantered about things including his mother's pastimes (she did the album art for the latest LP), a fan story about mixing up Ringo the Rat for Moonwolf Departure at a wedding (then playing both) and repeatedly apologized for forgetting his capo. It was barely noticeable and not necessarily detrimental. 97 was great again, although the standout was You Know Your War. Possibly the most exciting thing about this show is the promise of what is to come. From a forthcoming project, where Pat writes songs inspired by a friend's stories, was a densely layered and really enjoyable new song. It seems that this change of approach is really going to benefit all of us. Highway Houses wasn't played like last time, but instead one of his personal favourites, Last Winter, closed the second and final set. Great to see him again before the moonwolf departs for Korea for a year - all the while the anticipation for that new project will build.

Pat LePoidevin (@Tranzac, May 6)

The real Pat Lepoidevin took to the stage to much ovation, and was accompanied for much of the night by an understated drummer who added appreciated soft percussion to the tracks he was featured on. Now that the drummer has gotten his due I can focus in on Pat, the man of the hour. 


With less obvious looping than the first and only other time I've seen him (my introduction to him), his vocals were even stronger and more confident, if that is even possible, and more than carried the show. The new song, Fire, played early and was a testament to the strength of the new material which bodes well for Pat, as well as for his fans. In fact other ditties off most recent Highway Houses were interspersed throughout old favourites (who am I kidding I can't even choose faves) all night. Amongst them was 97, a heart-wrenching affair that really showcases his storytelling abilities. However primarily strumming his ukelele it was his strong and, at times, strained (seemingly with emotion) singing that made this show a spectacle!

Despite the warmth it was a perfectly small venue full of perfectly adoring fans who maintained silence when necessary and hummed along when appropriate. In particular the silence was appreciated as Pat looped his voice, entirely a cappella, over and over again to build a dense, glorious melding of layers that blew us away in encore with Highway Houses. Hard to completely capture the magical feeling but if you hear his streaming cafe album or have a chance to take in the live show I guarantee satisfaction. I made that very guarantee for this show and was easily justified.


Openers: Dog Is Blue

Dog is Blue (@Tranzac, May 6)

Self-proclaimed Pat LePoidevin impersonators Dog is Blue (at least they made that joke all night) were a simple duo who played upbeat indie folkpop tunes. Primarily led by the male counterpart to the female keyboard player, their jovial banter and fun songs came across real well in the small, warm Tranzac room. According to the band I wouldn't have been ostracized for yelling out "Hot Air Balloons" to which someone surely would have echoed "and submarines" but unfortunately I didn't and therefore didn't get to hear it. They were cute, quirky and interesting, just as their DIY sign that was wired right in to light up along with the keyboard. Too cool!


Opening for Pat LePoidevin