PHOTOS: Horse Feathers @ Fox Cabaret - May 9, 2018
Horse Feathers
Fox Cabaret
May 9, 2018
Christine McAvoy Photography
PHOTOS: Born Ruffians, Little Junior @ Fortune Sound - May 4, 2018
Born Ruffians, and Little Junior
Fortune Sound Club
May 4, 2018
Christine McAvoy Photography
Hotel Mira @ Biltmore Cabaret -- 04/25/18
If you've been wondering why you haven't heard from Vancouver's JPNSGRLS in a while, well, I have some news for you. The band has undergone a bit of a transformation, with most of the old members gone and frontman Charlie Kerr now joined by Colton Lauro on lead guitar and Mike Noble on bass. And not only that, but they're now going under the moniker Hotel Mira. And last night they finally made their grand (re)debut at the Biltmore Cabaret.
First up, though, was Whisper Disco, a three piece from Vancouver with a garage rock vibe. Their set was full of energetic and raucous songs, and while I didn't catch the name of any -- they didn't say much between the songs -- the two that stood out for me were a bit of a darker one, singer Viviane Chiamulera's voice matching with a haunting tone, and the final song of the their set, which wrapped it app up in an explosive finale (even with a bit of equipment problems on the drums mid-song). They're definitely someone I'm going to want to keep an eye/ear on.
Victoria's Band of Rascals were out next, with a much more straight ahead rock n roll sound. They started strong, with a broken string on the very first song, and kept up the pace throughout their set, wearing their influences on their sleeve. Even though nothing really stood out for me, they put on a solid set that had the crowd into it and kept everyone pumped.
And finally, after a video hype package, the screen lifted to bright white incandescent lights illuminating the stage for Hotel Mira.
The lights started out stark white before shifting to coloured midway through, as the set ramped up. They mostly teased new songs like "3am Lullaby" pouring forth raw emotion and "Jungle" showing off the bands' harmonies. And while each member on stage had a strong presence, Charlie Kerr was on another level, hardly standing still throughout the set. He stalked back and forth, danced up front, and even literally got in the faces of those in the front row, it was almost exhausting just to watch.
While the set was mostly new songs, the name & lineup change didn't preclude a few older ones slipped in, as they got the crowd moving with a few familiar numbers like the frenetic "Smalls", the intense "Bully For You", and especially "Southern Comforting" which had the crowd singing along.
The set drew to an end with a more maudlin "Stockholm" before they were quickly back for one more song, "Oh My God", Kerr asking everyone to lose their shit, which the crowd happily obliged.
Despite the changes, Hotel Mira still feels like an extension of JPNSGRLS, rather than an entirely new thing (which is probably why they billed it as a renaming, not an entirely new band). With Charlie's distinct vocals and a similar, more polished sound, I'm looking forward to hearing more from them.
setlist
Baby
Jungle
Circulation
Beautiful Thing, I am Terrified
Smalls
Ginger Ale
Tell Me I'm Alright
For Your Benefit
3am Lullaby
That Man
Bully For You
Southern Comforting
Stockholm
(encore)
Oh My God.
Young Galaxy @ Venue -- 04/04/18
It's been nearly five years since the last time Young Galaxy has played Vancouver, and there have been a few changes since. For one, the band has slimmed down to the two core members, Catherine McCandless and Stephen Ramsay. They were also just about to self-release a brand new album, Down Time, as they began their tour at Venue.
First up, though, was Vancouver's own Leisure Club. Their beachy, sunny indie pop drew people in on a raining night, as the crowd slowly amassed during their set. Kicking the set off with "Hold On", they played from their recently released self titled album, including the upbeat and catchy "Still Young", and the slightly frantic sounding "Entertainment". Their upbeat vibes were a good choice for opener, but the set really made me want to see them in a sunny outdoor festival (preferrably near a beach) rather than a dimly lit, smokey club.
Not long after, Young Galaxy took the stage, the two of them in front of a projection screen, flashing with colours, images, and lyrics from the songs playing. The duo was mostly backlit the entire night, the silhouettes of Catherine singing and dancing or Stephen doing, well, literally everything else on his keyboard & laptop.
They started the set with "Frontier" off the new album, and focused a lot on the newer material from the upcoming album, including the pulsing "Stay For Real" and the haunting "Elusive Dreams". Other highlights of the set included older songs, "Blown Minded" from their Shapeshifting album, Stephen taking over vocals for "Cover Your Tracks", and the great one-two combo to end off the set, the intensely passionate "Pretty Boy" and a big disco-esque intro for "Crying My Heart Out".
While I enjoyed their set, I did feel a little like it lacked the same impact as the last time I saw them live, with a full band. But it definitely fit the more ambient & chilled electronic sound of the new album, and even mostly in dark silhouette, McCandless remains one of the most compelling singers out there.
setlist
Frontier
We Have Everything
Seeing Eye Dog
Blown Minded
Under My Wing
Show You The Valley
Devotion
Cover Your Tracks (Stephen)
Stay For Real
Eluaide Dream
River
Pretty Boy
Crying My Heart Out
PHOTOS: Shred Kelly @ Cobalt - March 31, 2018
Shred Kelly
Cobalt
March 31, 2018
Christine McAvoy Photography
(Click HERE for Kirk's review.)