Photo by Sarah Cass
Seeing the Dirty Projectors was perfect. I am in awe of their live indoor performance. I went to the show at Lee’s with my friend Brian and we just couldn’t stop sharing why we love this band so much. It just kept coming. (Especially during the first band, Skeletons, who are not to be confused with these Skeletons, but they are basically Animal Collective’s lackies).
Anyway, at 10, the Dirty Projectors came on, playing everything off of their new album, Bitte Orca, as well as their first album The Graceful Fallen Mango. They didn’t blow through any song, they took each one through it’s course and often elongated it. They acknowledged the fact of why they were playing this day when a guy in the crowd yelled “thanks for surviving a bus crash!” and Dave Longstreth, front man extraordinaire, responded “Oh yeah! No problem!” They are troopers. Want to know why? Because, oh, here the blogger goes, they are magic. Brian and I were discussing what we see when we listen to them: he sees water, I see snow. I imagined them as these mystic beings (especially after seeing the video for “The Stillness is the Move”) that were so high up on a plane that I wouldn’t be able to understand them. And then there they went, across the Lee’s stage, all humble, pale and tired. It brought me back to Earth.
It took a whole concert of staring perplexed at the band to realize what it is that makes them so special. Besides the carefully plucked guitars and the edgy beats, it is the voices that rise from this band and how they chose to utilize it. Longstreth has made this band well; throughout the set I noticed he kept slowly looking from one side of Angel Deradoorian to the other side of Amber Coffman and Haley Dekle. He was making sure that they were okay, that they weren’t straining their voices, but he was also looking on in a proud beam. He let Nat Baldwin and Brian Mcomber fend for themselves, and they proved him worthy of their strength.
These girls aren’t just any girls in a band, like most bands these days. Where the girl and the guy just stand there by keyboards and bounce around singing flat but we all think it’s great (I’m a victim, I know). These girls probably grew up dancing around in their bedrooms singing into their hairbrushes Mariah Carey tunes, and for some reason, it all worked out for the better. They were the lucky ones. These girls have found soul to put in their instruments and it really shows. And they don’t just stand there and sing either. The voices come from the lips, the face, they push the song out and manipulate it. It’s beautiful. And the fact that they sing in high pitches just makes everything sweeter.
Watch “Remade Horizon”
After their encore, the audience wanted more. “They’d be assholes if they didn’t do it by now,” I said to Brian once the audience had been clapping for a good minute. He seemed wary. Then Coffman came out onto the stage with a drink in her hand. “I’m really sorry,” she said. “But we don’t have any more songs to play for you!” And of course, that does not make them assholes.
They’re really abnormal, something different. Brian and I ended our night noting that their future will only be brighter, and thank god we saw them before they get to a place like Kool Haus or even Sound Academy. Because a show this intimate will always be cherished.
Watch “No Intention”
First up was Will Currie and the Country French, a group of talented magic fingers from Waterloo. They were full of charisma, warmth and wow could they play their instruments. They brought a lot of people over from the CBC Radio 3 showcase, and that’s quite a feat.
Then there were The Dudes, a fantastic blues rock band from Calgary. Now I’ll admit that last week I thought The Dudes and The Guys were the same band (geezus) but I am now very glad there are two! The Dudes blew me away, and it wasn’t just because of their energy and the fact that singer Dan Vacon was playing with a broken collarbone, hyped up on medicine. Their songs are forceful and catchy at the same time, and just plain fun.
Last for me for the night was Said the Whale, almost-hippies from Vancouver, who make pop rock more than delightful and the fans unashamed to sing along. With two main vocalists, they have a great balance of harmony. Their songs are inspirational or reflective. Oh, and MAN do they have sparkly equipment! I admit I was entranced.
An hour later I was at the Supermarket. First up was Parlovr, this great ‘break out’ band from Montreal, who to me sound like Arcade Fire, but faster. They put on an amazing live show, and at this point in the day my words can’t do it justice.
like Feist and Jason Collett. But now it’s his time to shine.
Then there was Paint Movement. They had a great atmosphere and party vibe, with swirling layers and good main vocals. They’re not really my style, but I can see why they do well.
live show doesn’t seem all that connected to the real world. It was still good to see them play, I’m glad I did. I’m looking forward to the album, but I think if I were to see them again they definitely have to work on something.
Then there was Guelph party people Green Go. They were spunky, energetic and cute. It was a great show to see and I think they still have even more to work with, so it should be interesting to see what they come up with.
