I Heart the Music: Your Online Source for Live Music Reviews and Interviews in Toronto!

CMF Friday night at Lee’s Palace began in the freezing cold rain where beefed up, power-tripping-on-overdrive bouncers and door staff didn’t understand the idea of a media pass, refusing entry and re-entry to the people there to cover the show. Some disorganization, and a lot displeasurable attitude from the security and ticket staff, media people were held hostage within Lee’s Palace, unable to go outside unless they, in the words of ‘Ms. Door Staff Bitch’, “wanted to stay there”. Once the show began we were glad to have opted for the hostage route considering the powerhouse lineup that night delivered immeasurably wicked performances.

Although they served to set the tone perfectly, there’s no doubt Winter Gloves could have killed it by playing a later set, with a larger, warmer, more loosened up crowd. A much more keys-centred, textured sounding rock set than was maybe expected, Winter Gloves know how to demand your attention. Having twice as many instruments than band members on stage (coupled with the ability to play with both hands and feet) it is always a sign of good times to come. Strong vocals and an amazingly enthusiastic frontman didn’t hurt this post-rock/electro mix either; think of the best performance this musical hybrid could produce, and you have Winter Gloves live.

For how up-beat, interesting and wacky their music is, The Russian Futurists didn’t have the stage presence you’d expect. Frontman/creative mastermind behind the group, Matt Hart, not only neglected to touch an instrument or synth board, but was a marble statue at the mic all night. Oddly enough, he had more presence cracking jokes and just being natural in between songs than he did during their set. A couple of really fun orchestral choruses, a wicked drummer capturing the spotlight, a surprise duet with Ruth Minnikin, and some impressive Spector-inspired sounds were the highlights of this otherwise blah performance. Although their music is forward-looking, different and undeniably creative, the crowd also seemed unsure of what to make of their live show.

The Acorn live is way less sad and boring than I thought they’d be, which is always a welcomed surprise, especially from a band whose album better suits a good Sunday morning listen over a Friday night. Three or four guitars, a very personable frontman with a buttery soft voice, and a crowd quite obviously there to see them, The Acorn dazzled. Subtract a couple yawners, and a guitarist that randomly disappeared in the middle of the set, and this band of brothers can really carry a performance – confirmed conclusively after receiving a massive(ly good) response from the boisterous and heartening crowd.

What’s always forgotten is that Plants and Animals is a 3-piece band. They are so heavy and have so much depth, it’s a wonder that this transfers onto the stage so flawlessly. An exponential increase in intensity making their sound fucking explode off the stage, these guys know. how. to. rock. out. Contrast this with Spicer’s fantastical, yet solid voice that could carry over an ocean, and you’ve got one of the toughest acts to follow. Lengthening the bridges and jamming around arrangements; putting some echo effect on the mic and pulling the drum kit forward, all added so favourably to this hub of greatness. Complete with perma-smiles and dropping jaws, it only took one glance around the room to reveal the general verdict of this performance. Oh yeah, and they mostly played stuff off their yet-to-be-released album. Jesus. These guys are good.

As reviewed by Brittany Smith

photography provided by Aaron Alleyne

10 March, 2010 marked the kick off of CMW and iheartthemusic hit Lees Palace to see the Zeus, Jason Collett and Bahamas show. We were pretty pumped to find out that all three bands were playing as a collective backing up each other’s songs… it was definitely going to be interesting to see what they brought to each other’s music.  From having checked out Zeus’ wicked debut album Say Yes, loving Collet’s Rat a tat tat, and craving Bahamas’ sweet sound… our expectations were pretty high and they didn’t disappoint.

Jason Collett started the show with material from Rat a tat tat that gave way to a super intimate, vintage vibe.  His songs had a great folksy, Dylan-esque quality to them and looking around you could see that the sold-out audience was full of true fans that knew EVERY song and were so appreciative to be the recipients of Collett’s mellow, eccentric yet sexy melodies. We especially loved High Summer, Love is a Dirty Word and Cold, Blue Halo.

In the next number, the men of Zeus, who instantly brought an upbeat and classic rock n roll feel to the stage, joined Collett. Zeus have a wicked stage presence and are even better live—if possible.  They are really consummate performers as each band member can sing, and play every fucking instrument possible.  It was incredible to see them rotate from the guitar and vocals, then pick up the base, then shove a peer off the keyboard and just kill every song.  Their lineup of songs like “Kindergarten”, “How Does it Feel”, and their first single “Marching Through Your Head” show just how versatile and skilled they are at creating lush, soaring harmonies and layering sound.  We have to highlight the fact that Neil Quin from Zeus definitely pulled out a mandolin while backing a Collet number… duly noted and totally appreciated. 

Bahamas breezed his way in next and we must say he totally blew everyone away.  This was truly a breakout performance for Bahamas who is just as smooth and warm as everything that his name evokes. His brand of soulful, blues based love songs basically had everyone turned on by the end of the show.  It was a little reminiscent of the Black Keys… but Bahamas definitely carves out his own lyrical, rich and distinctive sound.  His song “Already Yours” was a big crowd pleaser.

We have to comment on how well the show was structured as each band took turns performing and backing each other. There was an incredible organic quality to this collaboration and to be honest, each band brought a distinct personal element that resulted in an unbelievable counterpoint. In essence, Zeus, Collett and Bahamas are at their best when they are playing together—it’s really something you have to see for yourself. Our verdict? Buy the albums, go see the show… FOR SURE.

reviewed by Victoria Kuketz

photography provided by Aaron Alleyne

Still Life Still are a band from Toronto via East York who formed nearly a decade ago. Their debut album Girls Come Too, has garnered them acclaim from both the media and fans alike, but it is their live show where they truly shine. The connection of having played together for so many years makes watching them perform live such a treat. Comprised of Brendon Saarinen (guitar/vocals), Eric Young (guitar/vocals), Derek Paulin (bass), Aaron Romaniuk (drums) and Josh Romaniuk (keys/percussion), this line-up has virtually remained the same since their humble beginnings, which is a true testament to their dedication and determination as a band. It was a chance encounter with Kevin Drew of Arts&Crafts that spurned their musical careers into a success story virtually over night. We caught up with members (and brothers) Josh and Aaron before their album release at the Horseshoe to congratulate them and see how they felt about their recent stardom.

iheartthemusic: This has been a very exciting year for you guys! It feels like it has been one thing after another after another. Has there been one defining moment, in the past year, where you have stepped back and been like “wow this is really happening”?

Aaron: Yeah, I guess it took a while to set in. Now it feels a lot more real than it ever was.

iheartthemusic: So how long did it take to get where you are today?

Aaron: Ten years we’ve been a band. We’ve had the name Still Life Still for eight, but it has always been the core four.

Josh: I have only been in the band for five years. We [points to Erin] are brothers so when we grew up they [Still Life Still] would jam in the basement and I would hear them everyday and then eventually I was like I want to join the band!

Aaron: I begged him for years!

iheartthemusic: What I was really curious to find out was if Arts&Crafts was always a label that you strived to be a part of?

Aaron: That was the dream label, but we never really thought our genre was compatible with them. As we progressed and our songs progressed, it got closer to that. It seemed though, that they only signed bands that were with the “family” and stuff like that, but it has always been the one we wanted. We didn’t really hunt around at all; it just kind of fell into place. I like to think that it was just fate.

iheartthemusic: I think your story is exactly that and I think that that will give hope to bands that are just starting out. You get a lot of comparisons to Broken Social Scene, which is ironic since you thought that you didn’t fit the “Arts&Crafts” mold, so how does it feel to be put into the same category as one of the most popular indie Canadian acts?

Aaron: It doesn’t feel bad but it can get a little bit repetitive. It isn’t something that we are trying to shake off, I mean we love Broken [Social Scene] and always have and if you are going to compare us to them then go ahead!

Josh: Broken [Social Scene] get compared to a lot of bands because they sound like a lot of bands.

iheartthemusic: Who are some musical influences for you then?

Aaron: The bands that Kevin says we sound like we had never even heard of. The bands that we like automatically influence us. We have been listening to very heavy amounts of Arts&Crafts bands for a long time, but we  also listen to Animal Collective and all sorts of music.

iheartthemusic: Do you find that all of you have the same taste in music?

Aaron: It is definitely pretty similar. Every once and a while someone will be like “I love this band” and we are all like “that is shit” and then later on you find yourself listening to that band. Brendon is the wildest-he listens to the craziest music.

iheartthemusic: Like what?

Aaron: Noise music and just a lot of really weird experiental music.

iheartthemusic: I know this is a rather standard, boring question to ask, but I wanted to know what your band name meant to you?

Aaron: Our name came to be really randomly. We didn’t think too hard about it, we just liked the name “still life still”. Later on, thinking about what it actually means to us, I think it means that no matter what happens to you in your life or what is going on in the world it is still going to be life still no matter what. You are still trapped in this world and have to live here and accept it. So it is like living for the moment and no matter what happens it is still life, still.

iheartthemusic: Let’s talk about the recording process for Girls Come Too.

Aaron: Martin Davis Kinack has a studio hidden in the woods and is pretty much an old barn. It was kind of an experiment of Kevin’s where he was like “let’s go to Marty’s and record two songs in one weekend”. We didn’t bring any of our instruments, just the basics that we absolutely needed and then we started and banged out a song and then another one and then another one, and by the end of the weekend we had nine songs finished and everyone knew that this was the album. Essentially the album took six days in total and it was all live from the floor with everyone playing at the same time.

iheartthemusic: That’s awesome! Is that something that you would continue to do for the next album?

Aaron: Definitely! We really liked being in the comfort of our homes, instead of being in downtown Toronto. Once we got into the car and out of the city, we kind of left everything that was going on in the city and just focused on recording. It was like a winter wonderland up there. Freezing fucking cold, but it was great!

iheartthemusic: So what is your favourite song to listen to? To play live?

Aaron: I am loving “Neon Blue” right now to listen to and to play. I really like the vibe that I get from it and the vibe that we are sending out.

Josh: Favourite song on the album is “Flowers and a Wreath”. Favourite song to play is probably “Dance Cave” just because we usually open with it and it is really chill.

iheartthemusic: If you weren’t making music or being musicians what do you think you would be doing?

Aaron: I would probably teach the arts or something like that.

Still Life Still return to Toronto for a double header at Lee’s Palace on Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th.

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