Well it has been waaaaaay to long since I wrote something here not that I haven't been busy, just busy enough not to get here to post something, i have oodles of things to share but let us start with something new and exciting. This past March I had the pleasure of having Sheesham & Lotus & Son out to my place for a photo shoot and now that the album is finally out I can talk about it. I managed to get several exceptional shots in, in-between them running off to record the tracks for the album. The best one is presented here for your viewing pleasure. Also check them out when they are in your town!! They are fantastic performers and authentic to the core.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Metropolis, Montreal
God was definitely in the house this Friday night as the Reverend Nick Cave wailed from his pulpit touching the true believers in the front row gently on their foreheads. The Bad Seeds accompaniment, thundered and scorced behind, a sonic train wreck of biblical litany as the congregation in full trance, roused only during the call and response from the Reverend himself. Honest I am not kidding this was truly experiential. So, in this spirit I have included images that try to capture the show in a more poetic way, as well as a few crappy stage shots. Be sure to watch the video from the floor during the song Stagger Lee it certainly gives a good taste of the night.
RIP TOM
An original, a patriot, a troubadour out of time, a hobo, a rail car jumper, a plywood poet – a Canadian, Stompin’ Tom Connors. It is with a heavy heart I heard the news from my son, fresh off the twittersphere Wednesday night.
It is not his comedic hits I will remember him by (although Goodbye Rubberhead so long Boob has a special place in my heart) but rather his genuine, honest, self-made artistry. Yes, everyone has his time but, with Tom gone, it makes me sad because it gives to wonder who will sing or write songs about the Old Algoma line, a mine fire in Timmins, Tillsonburg, Skinners Pond, Big Joe Mufferaw, Wawa, Second Narrows Bridge disaster, The Gaspe, or anything truly Canadian? We are collectively richer because someone did.
Rest in Peace Tom, Canada seemed smaller with you around, but it is bigger now because of you!
Lycanthrope - Jim Holyoak @ Donald Browne Gallery - Nuit Balanche Montreal
After one too many encounters with individuals in various states of intoxication during the Nuit Blanche festivities, it was refreshing to sit down on the floor at the Donald Browne Gallery and take in this delicious combination of sight and sound.
Lycanthrope is a fantastic drawing installation that included a performance of the artist Jim Holyoak attacking a paper-lined fortification while musicians Nick Kuepfer & Neil Holyoak (Jim's younger brother) created an accompanying wall of steady sound. Jim Holyoak used an ink-slathered whisk and various graphite sticks and gouache-laden brushes to visually echo the soaring notes of looping sonic trance/bat-chirping sound from electric guitars with great analogue assists: cassette tape machines, 1/4 tape looping machine, amplified bell and chimes, all whirling though what looked to me like a horn from a Hammond organ! Think Philip Glass on acid.
Jim’s attention to detail and mastery of his tools and media are represented not only in this giant singular work, but also on the rest of the gallery walls, from floor to ceiling. Clever and articulate drawings of creatures and various abstract stalactite/stalagmite like drawings of various sizes and paper quality pinned to the wall. Of particular interest are the drawings in which Jim incorporates his own ink stamped body parts into a bat wings or a hares elongated feet.
This was the finissage so, unfortunatly if you are reading this you cannot see the show - except on line - Jim and Donald's links are below if you want to see more or just watch the videos I have inclued and it will give you a small taste of the evening.
