Tag Archive for: CMJ

Kick-off to a Great Week of Live Music in NYC w/Wilderness of Manitoba, HIGHS, and In-Flight Safety

Wilderness of ManitobaI kicked off this live music-intensive week on Monday night by going to hear Wilderness of Manitoba, a Toronto band that I first heard live in 2011, and whose sound I’d learned has continued to evolve. Earlier, when they toured for their 2010 album, “When You Left the Fire,” their sound was dominated by acoustic guitar and strings, with a hushed ambient quality almost reminiscent of the Windham Hill record label from the 1980s. Over the summer, I’d heard an interview on CBC Toronto’s afternoon radio show “Here and Now” by host Gill Deacon with longtime member, and lead guitarist, Will Whitwham who said for their new album they’d staked a new course—with lineup changes including a heavier rhythm section that leaves them more apt to rock out and jam than before. I heard “Leave Someone,” the single from “Between Colours,” their latest album, and really liked it. When I heard they were playing a free show at Rockwood Music Hall, it was an easy call to go hear them. They played a great set, and true to what I’d heard, the new rhythm players were a great addition—bassist Wes McClintock and drummer Tom Bona—as was vocalist Amanda Balsys. I enjoyed talking with Wes and Amanda after the show. Here are more pics, including the cover of their new album.


Tuesday night kicked off the annual CMJ music festival, and I really enjoyed my first live listen to HIGHS from Toronto, and In-Flight Safety, from Halifax. I had heard singles by both bands on CBC Radio 3—”Summer Dress” and “Animals,” respectively—and both bands played terrific, 35-minute sets, with buoyant tunes and good energy. Here are pics from both shows.

Three Fun Showcases for Great Canadian Acts at NYC’s CMJ Music Festival

During CMJ in NYC last week I attended showcases sponsored by Canadian Blast, Saskmusic.org, and M for Montreal. Good seeing Cara Wodnicki-Buckley; JP Ellson, Michael Scott Dawson; and Mikey Rishwain Bernard, respectively at the fine events they put on, Each organization put on terrific acts and provided a genial setting to listen to and enjoy great Canadian indie music. Among the bands I enjoyed was Kandle, a 5-piece from Montreal fronted by Kandle Osborne, a dynamic young female performer. Here’s a music video for Kandle’s new single, “Demon,” followed by pictures from the three showcases below.

1st night CMJ Music Festival

 

Ben Caplan with collaborator Taryn played a stunning keyboard and vocal duet in his opening set at Canadian Blast‘s CMJ showcase Wednesday night in Manhattan. The piece had a theater-like quality with their voices soaring and plummeting, and keys clashing. It reminded me of a song I loved years ago, and haven’t re-listened to in ages. I told the talented Taryn about it when we spoke during the break after Ben’s set. That long-ago song was by Judy Collins, a long one (5-6 minutes) about a figure, I believe from the French Revolution, his name spelled something like Marat-Sade. I’ll look it up later, and see. I’ve been to two other full CMJ showcases this week (Saskmusic.org, and M for Montreal.) and still doing my usual book business, so too rushed to do it right now!