October 27th, 2009
Toronto’s Arts & Crafts label packed up the family van and headed south to CMJ this week, showing off a few of their brightest and best Thursday night at Williamsburg’s Union Pool. While Still Life Still seemed to be stuck on repeat and Hollerado’s we’re-just-happy-to-be-here enthusiasm was graciously met with crowd appreciation, it was the genre-bending band Zeus that got to keep their name as god of gods, at least among the mustached and flannelled mortals.
The talented foursome seems to have made a hobby of collecting rock eras, but rather than tempering them in the Molson-infused bars of Toronto’s indie circuit, they dragged them through the truckstops of the south, rounding out their extroverted Brit influences with a bit of alt country. The trio front and center took turns chopping at 70s-styled guitar riffs and 60s-era garage keyboard licks, while the kit behind them kept time. The content of the songs was as schizophrenic as the genres the band spans: toying with the peaks of pace, mixing rhythms and hooks for masterful effect. “Mother, Mother” sounded a bit like Modest Mouse with a dandy flourish, and their cover of Genesis’ “That’s All” was just right.
Balancing pop and classic rock with ease, the band is prolific in the size and scope of their rock knowledge. Hipsterdom aside, the question still remains: beyond distribution challenges (try a Google search for Zeus), this Toronto quartet is going to need to dig deep into that southern soul, whether real or imagined, and decide how bad they want rock God status. Their namesake took down his old man for it.
- Will Kangas
Tags: CMJ Festival, Zeus
Posted in Events, Music | 5 Comments »
October 23rd, 2009
Little Girls
CMJ Music Showcase
Union Pool, Brooklyn, NY
Wednesday, October 21
The story of Toronto’s Little Girls is enough to inspire legions of basement musicians: lead singer Josh McIntyre knocked together some songs in his bedroom, posted them to MySpace and sent them to a few of the right music blogs, and the accolades rolled in. That lo-fi ethic was on display when Little Girls, now a four-piece, played their CMJ show at Union Pool in Williamsburg: their sound is just as rough-and-ready as the band’s origins would lead you to expect.
If your first question is, “What are they singing about?” — you’re missing the point. Little Girls’ sound is about mood and atmosphere – a darker mood and a somber atmosphere, but a strangely exhilarating one as well. Indeed, on the band’s full-length debut, “Concepts,” McIntyre’s voice is so awash in distortion and reverb, it took me a song or two to realize he was singing at all (When Little Girls cites Joy Division as an influence, they’re not kidding – and it’s no surprise McIntyre got his start in a shoegazer duo, either). McIntyre’s voice is as much an instrument as the twangy guitars and driving, percolating rhythms that make up Concepts’ concise 30 minutes. But it all gels into a whole that’s impossible to turn off.
The trancelike, even spooky vibe of the album leaves you completely unprepared for how the band shines in a live show. McIntyre and his bandmates find energy and joy in each of their tight little jams – McIntyre even cut loose and bounced around, as much as anyone can bounce around on Union Pool’s tiny stage – but the band remained in perfect command of their material. They obviously love playing these songs, and that kind of conviction is infectious on an audience.
That conviction, ultimately, is what Little Girls has to offer, and it’s what will set them apart. This band may have started small, but they’re going places.
- Matt Besterman
Tags: CMJ Festival, Little Girls
Posted in Events, Music | No Comments »
October 22nd, 2009
The city annually rings in fall to the backing soundtrack of CMJ, as New Yorkers and indie music spirits blanket most of the Lower East Side like summered, partied-out leaves in search of the next big thing. What ensues is a messy cacophony of sounds, with a hearty helping of bland bands that eventually blur into the five days of music madness and are rendered irrelevant. Luckily on day number one, Clare and the Reasons breathed new life into the festival with a refreshing springtime sound at Mercury Lounge, reviving show-goers’ great hope for music renewal with their whimsical, narrative version of chamber pop.
Ever the raconteurs, Clare Muldaur Manchon and her husband Olivier Manchon have a knack for developing simple, sparse tales into sprawling musical anthems. “This is a song about bees,” Clare announces to her varied audience, before offering a sweeping account, complete with a trombone, washboard, recorder and comedian tuba. Her voice, a mixed bag of Regina Spektor and the crunchy Yael Naim, leads a childish fieldtrip through a forested scene reminiscent of early spring; her cool breeze ballads getting the kids hopped up on yesteryear nostalgia to herald fall’s return.
The show, a tongue in cheek tribute to child’s play, was made complete by the toying dialogue between Clare and Olivier, who fumbled earnestly with their set – which was loaded with bare white branches scattered amongst their motley instrument choices (not even kazoos missed some playtime). Getting to spend time with Clare and the very fun Reasons, may end up being one of the more genuine, rewarding schoolyard recesses of the entire week.
- Will Kangas
Tags: Clare and the Reasons, CMJ Festival
Posted in Events, Music | 1 Comment »
