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

Sunday, traditionally the day of rest, but there is no rest of the wicked during NXNE. Fantastic photographer Joyce and I managed to hang in there for one last night of musical merriment.

First stop of the night was the Rivoli for Rueben deGroot. Don’t let this cowboy-hatted hottie fool you, he ain’t just country. DeRoot infused his tines with elements of folk and jazz to create music that most country nay Sayers could enjoy. In fact, this Kingstonian supposedly likes to describe his sound as “swamp-swing”, a name I quite enjoy and think expresses the sense of toe-tapping fun. If this sounds like this might be your cup of tea (or your looking for a way to transition into liking country), check out deGroot when he returns to Toronto on July 24 to play at the TRANZAC.

Next up at the Rivoli were The Gertrudes. And goodness gracious they were ginormous! In fact, they barely all fit on stage. I couldn’t count them all, but according to their MySpace there are a dozen. It wasn’t just the magnitude of the members, but the instruments they trucked up with them that was interesting. In addition to the usual suspects (like guitbox, sticks and violining) I spotted a banjo (or banjer), accordion (squeeze box), and ukulele (ukalucas). When The Gertrudes initially took to the stage the sounds that emanated were not at all what I was expecting. I had in my head barn dancin’, foot stompin’ hootenanny fair. Instead it was atmospheric indie folk. Very cool. Then, as the set progressed, more of that country-dance vibe I was expecting filtered in. There was a real sense of fun as the large familia seemed to enjoy the show as much as their audience.

Joyce and I then took leave of the Rivoli to venture up to the El Mocambo for what we expected to be Oh No Not Stereo, a pop rock band from Hollywood. However, that was not what we got. Not even close. Instead we walked into The Hank and Lily Show. How to describe the experience that was Hank and Lily? I think goth rock would best describe the genre. I believe the name of the song which we walked in on was aptly titled “Don’t Be Afraid”… and we tried not to be even though it sounded like the soundtrack to a B straight to video slasher flick, which was appropriate considering the costumes. The woman I assume to be Lily was a blonde wearing horn-like antlers who played the saw while the man I assume to be Hank looked like he fell out of a dark western remake of My Bloody Valentine. However, there was a positive note among all the shrieking ones, they had a song about David Hasselhoff, and I do love the Hoffmeister!

With the ringing still in our ears from Hank and Lily’s piercing wails, Joyce and I jumped over to Rancho Relaxo where our auditory vessels were comforted by the sweet sounds of Dan Griffin. Not only was the change of decibel refreshing, but so was seeing the simplicity of an acoustic set. It was interesting because earlier in the evening Joyce and I discussed what a rarity is seems to see a solo show these days when there seem to be so many massive groups a la Broken Social Scene and the like. But I digress and return to the musician at hand, Dan Griffin. He had a smooth and mesmerizing voice that was super easy to listen to and sang lyrics you could not only hear but really listen to. There was once exception and that was when he struggled through the Tokyo Police Club cover “Nature of the Experience.” However, he was humble about the stumble and was ultimately saved by stage manager Cam and his handy iPhone (and if you want to hear him get through the song without any trouble check out his MySpace).

Concluding the 2009 NXNE experience for Joyce and myself was the Toronto-based band bellewoods. A full sounding indie rock band that infused folk and had soul. There was a nice robustness to their music and I enjoyed that it was occasionally accented with church organ sound. The lead singer has a great voice and if you followed it on some of the slower tracks you felt like you could fall right into the song (…or perhaps that was the fatigue… or beer…). Despite it being a Sunday night after almost a week of music and extended last calls there was quite a crowd drawn out to see bellewoods, and rightly so. They had a good solid sound and clearly have potential.

And that was that. Another year, another group of musicians to add to the roster to follow and another NXNE in the bag.

Words by Emer Schlosser

Photographs by Joyce Wong

In the spirit of storytellers before him, Matthew de Zoete’s new album, Bottom of the World, takes us on a musical journey of his life and experience. A proud Ontarian, de Zoete’s beautiful melodies and exquisite guitar reflect his experiences, which resonates throughout the album. Perhaps some of this could be the recording setting, a 100-year-old barn in Caistor Centre that’s been converted into a studio. In order to capture a live feel, the band – including of Paul VanDyk on upright bass and Dave King on drums – recorded a lot of the album live off the floor.

In “I’m a Sailor,” de Zoete realistically conveys the pain of a weary traveller who longs to be home someday. The song, like the rest of the album, is beautiful in its simplicity and conveys the passion and pain of being separated from the one you love – perfect music for a warm fire (and someone special).

While filled with country undertones, de Zoete’s music is much like that of his Canadian predecessors Blue Rodeo. In songs such as “Warkworth Penitentiary,” he lets us into his life as a boy and shows he’s able to find that balance between contemporary and country, all with a uniquely Canadian sound.

Other notably tracks include “The World Was Around,” a soft melody that describes a person’s awakening to life’s reality as well as “Remembrance Day,” which serves as a tribute to the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers in battles such as Vimy Ridge. Another highlight is the guest vocals of Jenn Grant who sings with de Zoete on “Not on Fire.”

Especially with a song like “Bottom of the World,” de Zoete proves that the tradition of Canadian storytelling married with wonderful melodies will continue strong.

Sound like your cup of tea? Grab a copy of Bottom of the World on iTunes or cdbaby.com, or, better yet, come by his show on Saturday (February 28) at the TRANZAC. The show also features The DoneFors and Nina Nielsen.

Review by Lisa Simundson