dark "hoarse"
If you weren't extremely on time at Video In last night you were probably told by the overly serious dude in the suit that you couldn't get in. The evening's line up ended up drawing a full house a mere 20 minutes after doors, at the very civilized hour of 8:20pm (or so). If you were lucky enough to get inside you were treated to an evening's worth of low key aural treats.
Rose Melberg, who early in her set asked if anyone knew her "from the grocery store I work in on Main," started things off with a set of her uber-cute twee-folk. Backed by the Choir Practice's Kellarissa, the harmonizing made for an even sweeter performance of Rose's saccharine lullabies. It was soothing enough to lull you to sleep (combined with the extremely womb-like temperature inside Video In), but don't take that as a negative criticism. The whole thing was gorgeous and relaxing.
The legendary (in an indie way) Calvin Johnson was probably the biggest draw of the evening. Because of his rather expansive back catalogue and also because of the fact that he seems a touch crazy, I wasn't sure what to expect. It was sort of like watching Johnny Cash do a lounge singer act (complete with hilarious banter), but imagine if that sounds like a good thing. I felt like some of his songs dragged out on at times, but the highs more than made up for any perceived lulls in the action.
Julie Doiron, whose voice was feeling the effects of a cold, headlined the evening. She started things off solo, before being joined by a band that included Will Kidman and Steve Lambke of the Constantines (who handled drums and bass, respectively). I'm usually bigger on the solo portions of Julie's shows, but the louder cuts off of I Woke Myself Up benefited from the more faithful renditions. And, while her voice was a little hoarse at times, her set was the usual Julie Doiron mix of adorably shy banter and pretty great music.
All in all, the evening was a bargain at $12.
If you got shut out on Wolf Parade tickets, you can (half) rejoice that you still have the opportunity to see Dan Boeckner's Handsome Furs at Richard's on September 22nd.
The Cure are at GM Place on October 9th. (thanks to Aaron for the email)
Au Revoir Simone are at the Media Club on August 22nd with Oh No! Oh My!.
Liam from Yukon emailed to let me know about some of the last show's the band is playing under the "Yukon" banner. I kinda like the name, but Liam self-deprecatingly assures fans not to worry they'll have "an equally bad name to replace it with." Catch them tonight at the Railway for a White Whale extravaganza with Mohawk Lodge and Octoberman, on Saturday with Old Bridge, Colourbook, and Cobras Cobras Cobras at 150 E. 3rd (the Yellow building next to Casa Del Artista), and on June 29th with Montag and Miracle Fortress at Pat's.
A-Trak is sick and won't be at Salbourg tomorrow. If you have advance tix, you can hold on to them though. Devro promises to reschedule soon, although I'm sure you can get refunds at your point of purchase as well.
There are five shows worth attending tonight. Plus Amon Tobin (kidding, kidding). Get out to something!
now playing: R. Kelly - Ignition (Remix)
Labels: show announcements, show recaps
4 Comments:
make sure you go check out Colourbook. one of my favourite bands to come out of victoria.
By 
Peter, at
11:45 p.m.
spoon is coming for a second vancouver date
commodore
sept 17
so those of us that were bummed that we had to sell wolf parade tickets because we bought spoon tickets can now sell spoon tickets and buy other spoon tickets
By 
, at
12:04 a.m.
Wilco tix go on presale June 27
By BunkleLife, at
9:23 a.m.
liars @ red room on the same night as animal collective. ouch. hope one's an early show!
By Dave + Sandra, at
12:12 p.m.
