Thursday Night at Canadian Music Week

Its been so lovely to be out for CMW 2013. While last year we were enjoying 25 degree temperatures and running from venue to venue; this year the cold enticed me into Global Village Backpackers and the warmth of the music kept me there.  Big Things Productions is hosting showcases at Global Village all week, with music ranging from HipHop to Indie.

I’d like to pause for a moment and talk about the actual venue. By day, its a hostel hosting people from all over the world. By Night, its a pretty decent music venue! The back half is set up complete with full socked bar, pool table, dance floor, and outdoor patio. Its an intimate place without feeling small, right in the heart of the city.

I arrived in time to catch the last few songs of Paper Bag Palace’s set.

Made up of 3 girls (Brittany Brooks, Kelly Mischuk and Hayley Robateau) armed with  guitars, fiddle, trumpet, and xylophone; they bring forth a sweet singer/songwriter style reminiscent of Regina Spektor.  Their voice is incredibly sweet and soft, playing an innocence which is sometimes a contrast from their lyrical content. The girls are lovely and all smiles, though I’m not sure they’ve found their exact niche that will set them apart. The bones are there and strong, but now they need a little more meat on then.  Have a listen a HERE !  .

 

For weeks a friend of mine has been raving about Toronto’s own Attagirl. Halfway through the first tune I can understand why. Attagirl makes you want to get up and dance. As I surveyed the room, the head-bopping and toe tapping was contagious. Their dance indie-rock sound brings the spirit up! After fighting exhaustion all day, I think i can credit my second wind to their set. My heart was aflutter with memorable lyrics like “I only wanted us to be a simple melody” bringing back memories of my 16year old self listening to Something Corporate on my bedroom floor.

Next time I’m having a bad day, I feel like this is a good band to help make it right again. I would love to be able to see them play on a larger stage and see them let loose. This threesome have a loveable stage presence and great charisma; though I’d like to see their bassist look up at the audience every now and then. Go see them when they play at Velvet Underground on Saturday! They’re on at 8pm, oh, and don’t make the same mistake i did…dance.

 

Morning Thieves! This 3piece was a great follow up to Attagirl! They were a little louder, a little more alternative, and just as uptempo which made for some great flow. They get really into what they do and brought so much energy to their performance.  Bryan Matthew Fligg’s voice is melodic,  emotive, and all at once familiar. After some pondering, Light bulb! His voice is something akin to that of Matt Bellamy! To my amusement just as I finally put my finger on it, they begin a cover of Muse’s Hysteria. While it was a great cover and performed extremely well, they could have made it more their own; as with such a similar voice it could lead to them getting pigeonholed. Their originals were tight and well written, and just when they began to feel formulaic they throw in an unanticipated solo to shakes things up and showcase their talent.

Very tight, upbeat, and fun to watch.

 

Winnipeg’s Oldfolks Home was the last full set I caught at the BigThings Showcase last night. Their electro-indie sound reminds me of a melange of Sufjan Stevens, Local Natives, and The Weakerthans. Their music is easy on the ears, and performed with a sense of urgency. A need to get the story out – a need to share. This draws the audience in, capturing attention as Front man Ricardo Lopez-Aguilar shows you his heart as he drops it on the floor. Oldfolks Home bring music from a place of vulnerability and pain; which is a language we can all understand.

*sidenote: Oldfolks Home are on tour now and having a contest! Take a pic of them at a show, and post it to twitter with the hashtag #SaySomethingRight and you could win their new album!