Common Grackle - Hillside Sunday 2011

Gregory Pepper seems to be a hugely creative man and Common Grackle is his latest output source. Joined by fellow Guelph musicians all decked out in white (tops and bottoms) they put on a very enjoyable set for a small but warmly welcoming Sunday night Lake stage tent. Mike Brooks played guitar and slide guitar while also providing some seriously solid backing vocals. With only the one album (I know of) of released material they obviously covered a lot of Great Depression territory including All the Pawns, Down with the Ship and At the Grindcore Show. A really fast rendition was a playful way to perform Safe Word Play. Gregory and co. are deserving of Much greater notoriety than they have and I truly hope that their work pays off so we can all continue to enjoy the fruits of their imaginations for years to come.

Shad - Hillside Sunday 2011

Another Shad review? This guy must follow him around or something. Yes, and for good reason. From now classic, Compromise, through to The Old Prince Still Lives At Home, Shad had the Sunday afternoon crowd in his pocket (if his pocket were a tent with picnic benches suitable for cheering on). Fleshed out band obviously still had DJ TLo and Adam on bass but also expanded with a drummer and guitarist (in addition to when Shad grabbed his). Once again Lisa Lobsinger accompanied on Rose Garden which is always a delight, and I'm still not sick of Rock to It or Good Name. Glad to see the banger Me, Myself and I is now a part of the live show too cuz it brings the energy. Far as I'm concerned Shad can play every Hillside (but keep him on the Island stage where he acknowledged he belongs.)

Fred Penner + Dan Mangan - Hillside Sunday 2011

Word was spreading across the festival - Dan Mangan was tuning up a guitar at Fred Penner's stage. With the RAA's final note still hanging in the air I snaked my way out of that crowd and straight to see this for myself. Sure enough upon arrival Dan was already on stage with the man that sang my generation many a tune while growing up. I'm not sure that he entered through a log or if there was a visit from Word Bird but otherwise this was Fred. He knew how to play to our hearts, realizing that he was a distant but vivid memory of childhood for us in the crowd. When they busted out Sandwiches, the song - not the foodstuff, I was euphoric. As Gord of The Crackling joined Fred on guitar someone on stage made reference to Shred Penner! Fred was pretty hip still too, smoothly tossing a cat-in-the-bucket K-Os lyric into The Cat Came Back/Hit the Road Cat!
Nobody gets a midday encore at Hillside, but that Lake stage was adamant, so not only did he play This Little Light but he even came back again for You Are My Sunshine. Amazing what happens when your boyhood and manhood idols come together! Brilliant!

Rural Alberta Advantage - Hillside Sunday

It was a live Rural Alberta Advantage Hillside show that first made me really love them. Back then, oh two years ago, the trio played their hearts out on the Lake Stage and simply drew everyone in. With a second album out and a much larger following they were now upgraded to the mainstage. Upgraded may be the wrong word though, as the intimacy is somewhat lost even from the front row. Amy was still lovely whether doing keys, bass pedals with her feet or bashing a drum and of course her backing vocals to offset those of Nils. Honestly there wasn't much to set this set apart however, perhaps as I'd seen them play a full headlining show recently. Paul still plays the drums with enthusiasm, and his mother was also front row with us this time to see his work. At the RAA workshop only Nils had been there but he had done a cool solo acoustic version of In The Summertime but this set list was pretty standard mix of Hometowns and Departing - Muscle Relaxant, Haunt this Place, Under the Knife, Tornado '87, and Two Lovers included. In closing was the first and rather successful single, Stamp. Good but not all that special.

Kevin Drew + The Beauties - Hillside Festival Sunday 2011

Kevin Drew and The Beauties hadn't done a helluva lot of prep for the gig after agreeing to let Kev play with them. Actually the first song was reversed as Kevin started on the drums before moving to lead vocals for Tommy Lee.  The consummate musicians sounded just great backing as Drew sang and were apparently the inspiration to pull off TBTF as a countrified version. The whole crew together had even written a special song that a few fellow female musicians had dubbed 'one for the boys.' Eventually my attention was drawn toward the swimming hole but it wasn't due to getting annoyed with Drew's lead man antics as has been known to happen for BSS. Drew backed by the Beauties was a successful meld.

Grimes - Hillside Sunday 2011 Pop Montreal

Grimes is a solo project consisting of a young female singing over some cool prerecorded tracks. Not to say that she only sang, as the entire time she was playing keys and twisting knobs. The music is actually quite good and I was pleasantly surprised and the crowd was obviously appreciative as well. Interestingly the slight lisp-like quality to her speaking voice was mostly but not completely lost in song, although that may in part be contributed to the double-wired reverb mic that she sang into. It was a relatively upbeat set - moreso than Pat Jordache before but less than Gobble Gobble after - and even included a touch of Depeche Mode's Tainted Love. True promise from this up and comer.

Pat Jordache - Hillside Sunday 2011 Pop Montreal

Pat Jordache had two drummers and two guitarists alongside his own bass playing. The music was decent but nothing too standout; unique in that he has a slightly odd singing voice that he doesn't seem to stray from. Considering there's only one song I know from him and he didn't even play it there was little for me to pick out of the opening Pop Montreal showcase set.

Braids - Hillside Sunday 2011

The Braids set this year was much like that of last year except much higher expectations. Native Speaker is one of my favourite albums of the year but the way they take the sounds and warp them into songs seems like it should be interesting but isn't. Mind you this was a workshop with Lost in the Trees, obvious professionals who were able to play along as if they wrote the music, but really didn't add anything to the set besides a fuller sound with their tuba, cello, violin and xylophone. Even the double drumset which is one of my fave live elements didn't really accentuate much for this type of music. Especially on the ethereal-even-for-Braids title track Native Speaker. With such love for the album it's hard for the live experience to live up, and despite a second chance it seems Braids don't really come close so I'll keep my headphones in.

Dan Mangan - Hillside Saturday 2011

Having just seen Dan Mangan's intimate secret show in Toronto nights earlier, and the workshop earlier in the day, seeing his mainstage set may not have been completely new but he's such a performer it was STILL something to look forward to (from the third row). Things of note were just how epicly long the yell following the interlude on Road Regrets was. Additionally without Veda Hille's accompaniment the backing band stepped in to sing the female parts of Indie Queens (as they did last year in Trinity St. Paul church). On new bombshell Post War Blues there was a sweet acoustic slow down before Gord Geordini stepped up to absolutely rock out on guitar. A treat was the specially requested Baskets done acoustically by Dan with only the double bass backing him. Due to another broken string there was an brief interlude before one more strong live showing of Some People. Also new was a song about Castle Rock, Oregon before closing with the staple (that isn't always played) in Robots. Dan even clamoured down into the crowd where I was fortunate enough to sing the lyrics along into the mic with him and a handful of others. Whew! Third helping, still worth it.

Sloan - Hillside Sunday 2011

Sloan have been kicking it for twenty years and are still pumping out music, not to mention live shows. They've certainly got a handful of really great tunes but at the end of a long, exhausting, yet amazing, Hillside festival I just didn't have it in me to stick around for the whole set to see which of these they would play. Instead I caught Coax Me, Everything You've Done Wrong and Who Taught You to Live Like That? from the back before bowing out. As I was so far back it was difficult to see exactly what was going on for any detailed review but the sound was still there, that's for sure.

The Sheepdogs X2 - Hillside Saturday 2011

The Sheepdogs were in the midst of three fests in as many days, but weren't too busy to rock Hillside twice. First the four pups gathered on stools with a pair of acoustic and an electric guitar, plus some shaker percussion. Their throwback songs actually came across really well in this format, and it is important to note that Neil Young's Down By the River didn't feel out of place in the least. As I watched from amid the large, seated sun stage crowd I couldn't help but think 'I could be looking at the cover of the Rolling Stone.'
However it is their full-on rockin' sound, as showcased a few hours later in the Island Tent, that has gotten them to where they are. Unabashed '70s rock and roll delivered with confidence and every hint of sincerity. This resulted in a capacity crowd and once finally inside the place was wild with people grooving up and down the picnic benches. The incendiary solos only spurred them on, especially on Learn and Burn. Impressive and worthy of the cover story accolades.

Mother Mother - Hillside Saturday 2011

Few people at Hillside hadn't mentioned that they were going to see Mother Mother. This band has come a long way from playing the Island Tent a few summers ago and continue to use the harmonic pop around which they became known to wow audiences. So for this massive sea of main stage fans they put on a show (redeeming themselves in my eyes after a couple less than exceptional Olympic performances last year). The Stand is a standout from this year's Eureka and is indicative of the slight move toward galvanizing Ryan as the lead. It went over well, especially when Jasmin shouted through a megaphone for effect at the end. Speaking of Jasmin, she has settled in quite nicely and appears strong and confident on stage, showcased during their early tune Dirty Town which is super quick and features fantastic harmonies. Molly, sporting green tights, eye shadow and feather earrings, had a little something to do with this too. Body of Years morphed into The Pixies Gouge Away and back. Wrecking Ball was alright too and the sax was appreciated. Overall it was a fun return to form capped by O My Heart. Most fans have already been won over by the recordings and I can only see people more turned on by this performance.

Hollerado - Hillside Saturday 2011

Unlike the massively awkward 'we don't do acoustic' sun stage set earlier where they told jokes and played one song  (hilarious for me, a fan, but probably terrible for most everyone else who'd been watching $100) Hollerado were in their element as the closing Island stage band of Hillside Saturday night. This slot is now notorious for bringing the party year after year and there's nothing Hollerado like more than partying.

It began with fifty glowing beach balls hopping all around the already riled up tent from The Sheepdogs previous. As people danced all over those picnic benches they threw down all they had, getting a great reception especially on Juliette. A go-to in their bag of tricks is Petty's Rockin' in the Free World which they pulled out midset, inviting Harlan Pepper to join them for it. Who wasn't invited but felt inclined to go join, and was certainly welcomed, was Dan Mangan. In fact I had to prop him up in his hurry to the stage (Hillside moment!) to help out on vocals.

The band claimed that this was perhaps their favourite show ever and I believe it as it seemed right up their alley with confetti exploding throughout. The only odd moment was a perhaps misguided tribute to Amy Winehouse who had passed that day which came in the form of a call and response with the crowd of the chorus to Rehab. It didn't ruin the mood though. We poured it on in encouragement of an encore which was a silly choice but by this point nobody really cared and rocked along to The Bird is the Word. Hollerado may not be great at serious but they know how to create an incredible time.

Memphis - Hillside Saturday 2011

Torq the beloved frontman of Stars, Dead Child Stars and, as on this day, Memphis alongside Chris Dumont. In fact there was a full band contingent of six including them on hand for this show. Among them was a sax that played a prominent role in the set. On I Am The Photographer they were joined by a seventh in Gentleman Reg, similarly to the Hooded Fang/Memphis workshop of a couple hours previous. Before they even got into Memphis' undoubtably most upbeat song, Incredibly Drunk on Whiskey, Torq already had a mighty fine sweat worked up. As the song came to a close, in dramatic Torq fashion, he played an incredibly drunk person quite accurately in fact, even dropping the mic at the conclusion and walking of stage. Always a performer!

One Hundred Dollars - Hillside Saturday 2011

I try to keep an open mind when it comes to country. Folk is fine. I've even warmed up to Corb Lund. However I just can't break down the barrier between myself and One Hundred Dollars. Even during their acoustic sun stage set that simply had them on guitar (first three then two then only the lead female) it just didn't do anything for me. Based on her banter it seems that the songwriting is probably part of it but from the back I couldn't make anything of it and so despite another chance I am not yet won over.

Gobble Gobble eat up the Island Tent - Hillside Sunday 2011

With all the hype (ok I'd been adding to it too) I was super excited to finally see what exactly it is that Gobble Gobble do to make their set so indescribably crazy. I'll do my best to perform the impossible and describe it. Spoiler alert!

With primarily electronic music it can be difficult to put on a show seeing, as the instrumentation is mostly button pushing. This Edmonton three piece (as part of Pop Montreal) must actively work to keep you entertained. Off the top the two wandering members were inexplicably towering over people in the crowd, and moving through the sea of folks. It was actually terrifying for some reason to have these two giants moving toward you, even after the realization of the souped-up stilts on their feet.

Next track they were back in the crowd - at regular height now but both wielding shovels. Why you ask? Combined they were producing percussion, of course. This was scary for a different reason as they literally smashed the backs of their spades together above my head as they passed over me. I could have used a helmet!

Funnily enough the next tune the two were both donning helmets - a street hockey goalie mask and a bike bucket - and then, taking a page out of the Arcade Fire's book, they proceeded to alternately bash each other over the head with drum sticks.

Additional antics included blowing up a massive ghost-like figure with a leaf blower, carrying around an oversized drum for us to bash, performing synchronized tambourine, and dishing out all sorts of high fives to the beat.

At one point they both disappeared from view and I was startled to see them slinking around my feet with their tambourines, much to everyone's surprise. They were a lot more conspicuous during the closing number when they jumped up and body surfed around.

Mind you the entire time the third member was keepin the tunes pumping (but not fave Boring Horror) and we were keeping the dance party going too. All this showmanship and sweat made for a helluva show. It's true that it's gotta be seen, no, experienced. Now I get it.


Update: Gobble Gobble became Born Gold in 2011.

Hannah Georgas makes up for it all - Hillside Saturday 2011

The elusive Hannah Georgas has evaded me for some time and when I finally did catch her the circumstances, being a brief, free, outdoor, freezing-cold show in March were far from ideal. That had left a negative impression of her live performance with me despite having really enjoyed her release on disc. Her weekend at Hillside would do away with this notion and replace it with the cheery feelings I'd hoped for. It all started with the magnificent workshop she shared with Mother Mother and Dan Mangan. But then again, being in that company is bound to make everything I see rose-coloured. Speaking of which, the red-headed songstress came out dressed in an all pink summer outfit for her sunny afternoon set. Going through a solid number of cuts from the album along with her three-piece backing band, she was much more outgoing and upbeat than the previous winter session, and come to think of it I probably was too. Bang, Bang You're Dead, Lovers Breakdown and Chit Chat were all great before a chilled out version of The Beat Stuff. In finale she demanded that we all get up and dance with her and this time we were more than happy to for Dancefloor! After this redemption I was more than pleased to find her shirking the gospel hour to participate in the other workshop and treat us to This is Good. Sorry for doubting your Hannah, it is good again!

Memphis + Hooded Fang Workshop - Hillside Saturday 2011

Torq had taken command of the stage by the time I joined him and Hooded Fang in progress. And frankly that is understandable and enjoyable considering the stage time on his resume. Besides what other workshop member hand wrote out lyrics to their songs for the other band? (As he did for the Pet Shop Boys cum Memphis Love Comes Quickly.) He was also visibly thrilled to play HF's Green River which he mentioned had been on repeat in all venues of his life for the past few months. Turned out to be a dandy too as he could obviously play along with the full Hooded Fang complement. Even the workshop go-to, the cover song, seemed preplanned. Though it wasn't planned too too well as neither band knew the words, ironically to Learning the Lines by The Hidden Cameras. Fortunately Cams member Gentleman Reg happened to be in the audience and joined them onstage to fill in the blanks. (Unfortunately he sang backup on the actual track and hence only had a somewhat better grasp on it.) Nonetheless the song was pulled off and the workshop set was deemed a veritable success.

The Stanfields - Hillside Saturday 2011

Outta the East the lads did a solid job with an Irish standard off the bat to wake up the afternoon. Their orig was decent too but my attention was diverted and I strayed before I could hear their fabulously titled The Dirtiest Drunk in the History of Liquor.

Paper Lions - Hillside Saturday 2011

This Charlottetown band, The Paper Lions, may not be breaking the mold when it comes to indie pop, but at least the do a good job of what they're doing and have some fun while they're at it. The piano is a wholly welcome addition to every song they feature it on. Plus the songwriting is interesting as featured on the tale of Trouble (which I didn't hear this time though I only caught the Stanfields workshop) as well as the survival story of their run-in (drive in?) with a moose that they did this time around.