Opening Eyes: Lightning Dust

There are people out there that will not go to a show when doors open, or even a hour after doors open. I have never been one of these people so I thought I'd try to shed a little extra light on those opening bands that get us warmed up for the show but inevitably end up playing to a half empty hall.

Concert: Rolling Tundra Revue featuring the Constantines & Weakerthans (Saturday night show) opening with . . .

Lightning Dust

Hailing from East Vancouver the band Lightning Dust took the stage about a hour after doors open and as they started into their first song a small group of us had gathered at the stage. Their first song breathe started with a brooding heavy tone, something that brought up images of dusting crypts covered in fog. As the vocals start in what I would describe as a sorrowful plea, it was very well matched with the entire tone of the song. It had drawn me in and as they continued into their set, I'd say they kept that slight brooding and dark feeling which really worked for them. Their third song "Listened On" made me realize why the name Lightning Dust was so familiar as they get fairly regular play on CBC Radio 3 with the track. All in all, this is one band that I had not given enough attention to and was glad to have gotten to see live. I hope that you check them out too.

I was hoping to get a chance to talk to the band members but the Commodore is often harder to get that kind of access. If I was willing to give up my front and centre spot, I would have gone to the merch table as I believe there was a note that they would be there. Sadly, they left by the time the show was done even their merch was gone so I couldn't grab a CD. Looking up on them, the band is Amber Webber and Joshua Wells from Black Mountain and I can only guess but it looked like Ashley Webber joined them on stage.

I highly recommend you check out this band and it looks like you might have a chance to see them in your neck woods as they're going on tour!
06-May-09: The Pawn Shop w/ Jon Rae Fletcher - Edmonton, Alberta
07-May-09: Broken City w/ Jon Rae Fletcher - Calgary, Alberta
11-May-09: The High Noon Saloon - Madison, Wisconsin
12-May-09: The Crofoot ballroom w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Pontiac
13-May-09: Beachland Ballroom w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Cleveland, Ohio
14-May-09: Queen Elizabeth Theatre w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Toronto, Ontario
15-May-09: Ukranian Federation w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Montreal, Quebec
16-May-09: Iron Horse Music Hall w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Northampton, Massachusetts
17-May-09: Wilbur Theatre w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Boston, Massachusetts
18-May-09: Higher Ground Ballroom w/Bonnie Prince Billy - South Burlington, Vermont
19-May-09: Union Pool w/Soft Drugs and Family Band - Brooklyn, New York
20-May-09: Santo’s Party House w/ Bonnie Prince Billy - New York, New York
21-May-09: The Apollo w/ Bonnie Prince Billy - New York, New York
23-May-09: Schuba’s w/Cotton Jones - Chicago, Illinois
24-May-09: 7th St Entry w/Cotton Jones - Minneapolis, Minnesota
26-May-09: Hi Dive w/Cotton Jones - Denver, Colorado
27-May-09: Kilby Court w/Cotton Jones - Salt Lake City, Utah
29-May-09: Triple Door w/Cotton Jones - Seattle, Washington

As for the following show, it was pretty awesome as one would expect. The opening band Lightning Dust was something that was not so expected, a very welcome surprise.
- AofA

Victoria Shows for the Weekend of April 25-26 (and beyond)

I already did one post about April shows in Victoria, but I've found a few new ones since then and this weekend is particularly full of quality performances. So just to be brief:

Saturday:

If you won tickets, 1/2 of Metric is putting on an acoustic afternoon show at the Zone/Victoria Dance Connection radio station, just like the one in Vancouver yesterday that fellow NxEW blogger B. Lee wrote about


Metric - Help, I'm Alive (acoustic)



And at 9:30 Logan's is hosting a CD release show for alt-country groups the Gruff and the Deep Dark Woods.

The Deep Dark Woods - All the Money I Had Is Gone



Sunday:

The buzz-worthy, Perez Hilton wooing Montreal/Toronto electropophip-hop duo Thunderheist play Lucky Bar. The Nirvana-loving (seriously, check out their myspace) electro-pop group Winter Gloves open.

Winter Gloves - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana cover)



Monday:

In promotion of his new release that has, in the words of fellow NxEWer Tagish156 "A veritable who's who of Canadian hip-hop... and Joel Plaskett," Nova Scotian rapper Classified is playing two shows at Element, an all-ages in the afternoon and another that night.

Classified f. Joel Plaskett - One Track Mind



And of course, Thursday sees the Rolling Tundra Revue with the Weakerthans and the Constantines roll into town at Element.

I'll be at at least one of these, and probably more, if that's any incentive. Not that you should need any.

Feist + Constantines = Dolly Parton

Found this via Yellowbird Project which sells exclusive t-shirts designed by indie artists to raise money for charity. It's a cover of 'Islands in the Stream', originally performed by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

Constantines and Feist - Islands in the Stream


(You can download it for free at yellowbirdproject.com.)

Rolling Tundra tour rolls into London

The Weakerthans and The Constantines
April 3, 2009 | The Music Hall | London, ON

When I first heard the The Rolling Tundra Revue 2009 Canadian National Tour was going to toboggan through London, I knew immediately that I was going to be at that show. Having never seen The Weakerthans live but being a fan of their music just felt like an epic fail to me.

Fast forward a few months and the usual cacophony that is being a newish parent of a two year old, and the week of the show had jettisoned itself into my lap and I still hadn't remembered to get a ticket – I blame the London promoters, as its better than thinking it was my usual lazy complacent self missing a show and not realizing it till a week later.

Thankfully CBC Radio3 and a friend came to my rescue on the day of the show and rather than griping about missing the show, I was answering a text from said friend who was alerting me that someone had mentioned having a spare ticket to the London show. Two and a half hours later I am on my way to nab free tickets…

Sadly I got to The Music Hall on the late side and missed entirely the $100 set. I know I am total knob for doing that, but remember that 2 year old daughter I have? I do not - as much as I can - ever miss bath, bottle and bed time with her. Plus who starts a rock show on a Friday night at 8:00pm?? Seriously! So I can't tell you how it was except the one person I got the tickets from who I ran into inside the show, said, "her voice is incredible". I get the impression she got the evening started just right. Albeit early.


Now I am going to put this out there right now. When it comes to The Constantines I wasn't really sure I knew where I stood with them: I mean I had heard enough of their music, and had enough friends recommend them, but I never really had gotten much further.

That was until their live show.


They came right out and kicked my posterior! And while they hammered through their set, I realized I knew and recognized a lot more of their song work than I had anticipated. And what's more to the point, is there was an energy in the songs that I don't think can ever be encapsulated in the context of a studio recording. And I realized that was the secret to this band that had so many of my friends calling themselves fans. That anyone who has seen this quintet from Guelph live knows just what I am talking about. They played through an hour or so long set and left me thoroughly impressed, highlights of course being Hard Feelings and Trans Canada. They even had John K Samson of The Weakerthans come out and sing a ditty with them much to the delight of the jam packed club.

And to close out the night, was of course, The Weakerthans. I have such a hard time picturing John K. Samson manning a bass for the punk/ska outfit Propagandhi and yet it sort of makes sense in his music, him coming from those roots. There's no doubt that this group from Winnipeg has a strong, and devoted following in London as I'd hazard a guess that a good chunk of the first 6 rows at stage's edge knew the words to literally every song. And it wasn't gender specific either – it seems his lyrics have a broad appeal that runs deep. Especially considering the dude behind me which proclaimed every song was "his total favourite" as he sang the lyrics over the my left shoulder. They cobbled a set list from a good cross section of their current album as well as pleasers from albums gone by.

The highlight of their set had to be when they pulled a guy who was front row centre, and all night was air jamming and singing along the words to ever single song, up on stage. As Samson had him put his air strumming to real life he played the chords and that kid was beaming ear to ear by the time the song finished. But also I was a fan of the encore of "One Great City" solo by Samson or the all Casio keyboard version of Anchorless.

In the end I left a renewed fan of one band and a new fan of another. A great show, a great night, and me on my way home happy to have not missed it.

Some Great Indie Shows Coming to Winnipeg

Now that it is warming up outside, Winnipeggers can once again venture out of their houses to all of the great Canadian indie shows that are happening around the city. Here are a few you should check out: (links to the artists' CBC Radio 3 pages can be found at the bottom)

Plants and Animals: March 24 Park Theatre $13

Hey Rosetta!: April 9 Shannon's Irish Pub

The Weakerthans & The Constantines: April 17 Burton Cummings $29.50

Melissa McClelland: April 21 Park Theatre $15

Bloc Party & Hot Hot Heat: May 3 Burton Cummings

Joel Plaskett & Friends: May 5 Garrick $20

The Stills: May 16 Garrick $20