Allo Darlin' - Drake Underground - Nov 4

This seemingly unassuming band split out of England and Australia are so darn likable and their tunes are lovely as well. Although the leading lady, with her short cut and swooning voice is the focus, her bandmates are no slouches either. Bill, the bassist, is especially enjoyable to watch for the sheer joy it seems he has playing. With ease, charm, humility and humour they entertained with stories and road tales while tuning (which they said was boring but important, like taxes.. or foreplay).

They focused on new songs from the recently released We Come From The Same Place and although it was my first listen it proved that the new material is up to snuff. A particular standout from the new music was History Lessons, a softer number that deals with the past not being as perfect as recollections might make it out to be. Besides Dreaming, the first album didn't have much representation, no Silver Dollar or Kiss Your Lips(!), but a few from Europe, including the title track did make it onto the list. Bill offered vocals on a track while the song Paul sang on was a new fan favourite based on the rousing applause. Later in the set they hit Let's Go Swimming with the lady's guitar now swapped for uke following the midway point. A sincere encore call brought them out but just for a single song despite the pleas from a solid turnout to the Drake on a Tuesday. Running an hour and a quarter I couldn't see anyone being disappointed in their first Toronto gig since that 2011 El Mo show they fondly recalled.

River Tiber - Drake Hotel (Feb 21/13)

It was perhaps an odd slot playing an opening set for a free (Rich Aucoin) show in a hotel restaurant but it didn't phase the local River Tiber. The set was successful in that it won over at least one new fan who had never even heard of them. My notes read 'ambient, rich bass, keys, dynamic drumming' where the last in the list was at least in part due to the integrated electronic drums. It's a little useless to liken a band to Radiohead, considering they are credited with pioneering a wide range of modern music from indie to electronica but it was in fact the vocals which also fell in line with Thom Yorke's. Despite the forward-thinking music some of the members were keeping it casual with backwards ball caps. Not an overly long set it was top quality and a great introduction to the River Tiber who have since followed it up with their equally compelling debut full-length. Keep your ears open and show this up and coming band some support for the 'I remember when's'.

Rich Aucoin - Drake Hotel (Feb 21/13)

The Drake has celebrated Rich Aucoin on numerous occasions, including the release of his most recent acclaimed record with a concert having a highly sought after ticket. So here he was repaying the favour on their ninth birthday. Despite the cupcakes and balloons it wasn't much of a celebratory atmosphere in the hipster-chic resto-cum-club until Rich graced the stage. Accompanied only by his brother at the helm of the drum kit Rich played a host of keys and synths in addition to prompting the recordings, and of course performed the vocals into either an effect mic or a wireless that allowed him into the crowd. As per usual there was a mélange of video clips, presumably culled from the recesses of YouTube, that had us laughing and cheering in anticipation. Finally Rich laid into his set and as he seems to be able to accomplish wherever he goes, the party took off. Yes, it was a typical Rich set (even predictable being my sixth) but compared to other musicians it is so atypical in its engagement that it can still lead to euphoria. Tossed into his bag of well-documented tricks was a promising new (and short) song - so fresh in fact, he admitted to reading the rhymes sequentially off the insides of his fingers. ("Times like this I wanna be a believer") Gratuitously peppered throughout was his encouragement 'one more time!' which although often untrue successfully prompted increased zeal from the audience members shouting along - an allowable white lie. Following the literal parachute opening, which also literally heats things up, he rode enthusiasm through to a non-encore conclusion. First- and sixth- timers alike left the night beaming as Rich had successful injected some much needed happiness into an otherwise drab Toronto February. Folks shouldn't be blamed if they were to mistake the other notable Happiness Show touring Toronto for this one night event.

Wildlife, Jane's Party - Drake Underground (Dec 21/12)

Wildlife
Wildlife are doing it all right but haven't yet caught the break they deserve to launch them into orbit. If there is justice in this universe their forthcoming album, due in March, will be their spaceship. The new material which was justifiably featured in this last minute, hometown, headlining gig is strong on first live listen and if it's anything like Strike Hard, Young Diamond, their previous effort, will merit repeated headphone listens. Even with only a semi full Drake Underground they were grinding it out and giving us an early Christmas gift of a show. After a debut or two they played the When I Get Home into Drunken Heart combo that has that beloved transition from the album. Added to the mix were Sea Dreamer (with a hilarious, poorly executed slide whistle), Stand in the Water and closer Killing For Fun but it was really a chance to tempt us with the new year's offering. In short time it'll be a story to tell "I remember the time I stood front row and they played this tune." Let's hope!

Jane's Party
Jane's Party were meant to get the party started and while there was plenty of milling about on stage - of the four members all but these drummer were swapping instruments on every other song - the rest of the crowd participation wasn't up to snuff. Mind you it was an opening band for a last minute show with early set times so things weren't in their favour. The bass player, ahem, the longer-haired fellow who primarily played bass had a solid set of pipes, though everyone seemed to lend a voice whether taking their turn in lead or harmony. It didn't sound bad but there wasn't much there to set them apart, at least not until the slick final tune which must be the set closer for a reason as it has some potential.

Kidstreet is Born Gold (Drake Underground, Oct 1/11)

Kidstreet began Nuit Blanche with such a bang that they temporarily knocked themselves offline. Opener X saw the small but passionate Drake Underground crowd (surrounded by passerbyers looking for the Nuit Blanche Funhouse) get into things off the top, blowing their light-up whistles alongside the energetic fronting brother. I mean that literally as a few were invited on stage and that was where the trouble began by cutting power to the sampler at the end of the tune. Following a minor delay things were back on track and one of the guys right in front of the stage actually removed his shirt and tossed it at the band. Hilarious. The band seem to be gaining even more confidence, and rightfully so with the release of their first official album, Fuh Yeah, this week (unofficial, unadvertised Toronto release party they joked.) Leading lady sang her heart out and wowed again with the ending to Penny Candy. One brand new track wad added to the set list and most of Fuh Yeah, including the title track, was played. Spin Twirl, the one old fave from the unofficial release that wasn't brought along to the new disc, was displayed too - much to my delight. Fun times and the perfect opener to Born Gold.

Without much introduction Born Gold launched into their first song - an upbeat number, as they all are no doubt, but a relatively subdued performance piece for this band. However once this was completed they got up to their old antics again. One dude waltzed into the crowd on stilts, a little less frightening when it is expected. Shovel percussion, slinking crowd tambo, blow up ghosts and leaf blowers all remained integral parts of the spectacle that the name change (from Gobble Gobble) has not removed. Personally I was stoked to rock/dance out to Boring Horror though overall nobody was too picky and people got into most everything they delivered. If you haven't seen a Born Gold set please do as there's no chance that you have any clue what goes on from what you've read here. Just keep your head down, while continuing dance, to avoid getting whipped by a sheet or smashed by a shovel which might spoil the party.

A Rich Residency (Rich Aucoin, Pete Samples - Drake Hotel - Feb. 16, 2011)

When is the last time you danced? Okay, okay, easy one. When is the last time you sang? at the top of your lungs? under a parachute?! The Rich Aucoin gig (date 2 of 3 week residency) at the Drake offered an opportunity to do all of the above, and so much more! An intimate but fun-lovin' Wednesday night crowd (apparently including my new Toronto band-crush, Wildlife, though I haven't seen them yet so can't confirm) came out for what always proves to be a ridiculous party of an event when Rich rolls through. In addition to the above there was jumping, silly-string, hands-in-the-middle cheers, glow-stick parachute-popcorn, arm-in-arm bobbing and so many more unmentionables that completed the whole night. (Like the 3D video accompaniment - I've got the glasses to prove it!) Trying to describe a Rich Aucoin spectacle is about as hard as trying not to dance while at a Rich Aucoin spectacle. The dude knows how to throw a party, and a mean handful of confetti!

Do NOT (like me) miss Rich's final night at the Drake next Wednesday! (If it wasn't for Hey Rosetta that night...)

Pete Samples had the honour of opening up, in what is planned to be one of, if not THE, last Toronto show for Pete. Stating that he felt like dancing and doing karaoke he forewent playing many instruments, choosing instead to bust out over prerecorded tracks. Along with this came drum and cymbal bashing, bubble blowing, chime kicking and all sorts of other noisemakers in front of a video reel lifted from a miniature village. (What?? It made just as much sense watching it...none.) He shimmied and shook, often all the way down onto the dance floor with the pint-sized but eager crowd, even forming us into a dance circle around him and having us serenade him sans backing music (like I said, eager crowd). By the end of the set the stage was littered with broken chimes, a slide whistle, gong, and even ice cream cone-shaped bubbles, making it look like the aftermath of playtime at a children's choir!