Sadly It Ends

Sunday began as the first day of the festival I was able to attend with my family. We arrived on the grounds to a very small and sparse crowd, probably due to the early hour and the weather. It took a while to make it to where I wanted to get to because my boy was slowly taking in all the sights and sounds that were unique to him. As a parent, we try to look through our child’s eyes but that becomes more of a presumptuous activity bordering on vanity than anything else. All I can say for sure is that he was very interested in the tuba player doubling as a kick drum while leading a parade around the side the food area was on and I realized soon enough this is a perfect kid-friendly festival. Bring your wee ones.

 

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Jon Middleton Self Titled Review

Jon MiddletonAvailable on Bandcamp

By: Sean Taylor

On the real first day of spring in Ottawa an email arrived asking me to write a cd review for the new self titled album from Jon Middleton- one half of the Jon and Roy moniker from BC.. While I was enjoying my first backyard beer and warm rays of the year I gave the music a few plays. I have to say that in this environment after a typical drawn out punishing winter it might be tough to be completely objective- but I'll give it a shot.  

As the cd opens and one, and then two basic songs pass through the speakers I'm generally impressed but I can't quite put my finger (or ear) on exactly what is doing it for me. It’s the completely untouched sound of the guitar on Driving South that puts some words in my head. These words include rustic, relaxed and soothing. Listening to the first two songs, I have been struck not so much with the songs but the production of the music. The simple melody and song on Under a Mountain seem to be complemented beautifully by the sparse almost lo-fi production values. Now that’s not to say we're listening to ragged tones or vocals, but more the bedroom approach. As I continued through the album I had a recurring notion of the sounds of Springsteen’s Nebraska. It’s not rare, but it is satisfying when a songwriter can simply lean on the craft of the song rather than additional accompaniment or electronic manipulation.

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moe.down 11 - Review Part II

moe.down 11 - Rob Derhak
photo by: Jay Blakesberg

Saturday at moe.down

by Jake Senger

Photos by Jay Blakesberg

Saturday morning was a cold and damp one because the temperature had dropped substantially overnight in upstate New York.  When the sun did make an appearance Saturday it turned out to be a beautiful day.  After making some breakfast and preparing for the day I made my way to the stage to check out the bluegrass band The Punch Brothers.

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moe.down 11 - Review Part I

moe.down 11
Photo by: Jay Blakesberg

Friday at moe.down

by: Jake Senger

Photos: Jay Blakesberg

Friday, September 3rd, 2010 marked the opening of the eleventh moe.down festival.  moe.down is a annual labour day music festival thrown by the band moe.  The past ten moe.down’s had all taken place at Snowridge Ski Resort in Turin, NY.  This years installment was held in Mohawk, NY at the Gelston Castle Estate.  The change in venues had to give it a different feeling for both the band and it’s fans. 

We pulled into Gelston Castle around 5:00 pm on Friday to a small lineup of cars.  I was rather surprised that it did not take us all that long to park our car. Earlier this summer Further had played at this venue and I had heard many stories of long wait times to park your car.  So long in fact that many people missed the beginning of the show and some even turned around and headed home.  Next we began the extremely long trek to the campsites.  

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Bluesfest ends on a high note

Jimmy Cliff
photo by Ming Wu
by David Barrett

The big attraction for me on Ottawa Bluesfest's final day was seeing 62 year old Jimmy Cliff, perennial reggae legend and arguably the last of a dying breed. I was a little apprehensive, knowing that his age might be a factor in the energy level of the show– his songs, as you know, are infused with a power and driving force that wouldn't necessarily play out well without a fair bit of confidence and drive in their delivery–however any doubts vanished quickly as his voice and energy belied his years from the outset.

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Heaven is whenever we can get together- at Bluesfest.

Craig Finn and Tad Kubler - The Hold Steady

The Hold Steady- Ottawa Bluesfest, Subway Stage.

Sat. July 17, 2010

By: Sean Taylor

Photos: Mike Bouchard

(more photos)

Its no secret that I am a fan of The Hold Steady. A huge fan even. I think its fair to say that they are probably my favorite band, and although my level of devotion to the band wanes between releases, with each new album I get a fresh jolt of energy and enthusiasm and once again immerse myself in their tales of rock n roll redemption. I get reacquainted with Gideon and Charlegmagne, learn new things about those old favorite songs and have little voids in the hole of the storyline  filled in -- getting my ass kicked a little bit more by the best bar band in America. I suppose in a way a new Hold Steady release and tour for me are nothing short of a rebirth.

With the release of the newest effort, Heaven Is Whenever (May 10, 2010 on Vagrant Records), all of these feelings were conjured up; but with a new found trepidation. You see, HiW is the first Hold Steady album since Seperation Sunday without lauded multi-instrumentalist Franz Nicolay. Franz's recent departure meant that not only would his signature additions on keyboards be absent, but also a huge hole at the front of the stage would likely be hard to fill without the most raging 'non singer- front man' in history.

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July 15, 2010: Some real honest to goodness blues.....

(Disclaimer- as I sit and write this I am at work, extremely hungover and with a full plate of work today- I have not hung on every word, referred to google, a thesaurus or anything other than my chicken scratch from last night for reference materials. I apologize in advance for any misreporting and for the use of many mono syllabic adjectives……) 

 Susan Tedeschi
photo by Dave Barrett

By Sean Taylor

(more photos)

Thanks to an early press time at my day job- I was able to hit Lebreton Flats just after 6 pm with a few cold beers already in my stomach- eager and excited to finally hear and see what all of the "Islands" fuss is all about. Over the past year it seems that I’ve heard this act hyped and mentioned from the furthest reaches of my social scene - from lawyers to lackies- they all seem to love it. Well, I am not sure if it was the confusing schedule listing for Island/ Woodhands, the 6:30 PM start, or the new wave attire (as Craig Finn says “At least in dying, you don’t have to deal with new wave for a second time.”)- but this set just didn’t seem to be what I was expecting, wanted or needed. The white and turquoise get ups that took the stage should have given me the hint I needed that this was going to be more poppy than I can take. The light airy music wasn’t bad- it was just background music for a cruise ship afternoon of shuffleboard. Skip.

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Plants and Animals Trip through La La Land

Plants and Animals

Review by Sharon Williamson
Photos by Mike Bouchard

(more photos) 

Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of the indie, Montreal based band, Plants and Animals.  Their albums, especially Parc Avenue have provided the soundtrack to my life in the past year.  I am completely addicted to their well-crafted songs, their energetic vocals and their ability to set a mood, both frenzied and serene.  For that reason, I was amped up to see them perform on the Subway stage at this years Ottawa Bluesfest.

My first thought as they took to the stage was to ponder if Warren Spicer and Nic Basque were upset that they both chose to wear white jeans and green, sleeveless t-shirts.  How embarrassing!  But it wasn’t long before the music swept my mind elsewhere.  

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A Swell Evening at the Ottawa Bluesfest

Glen Hansard - The Swell Season

Photos and Review By:André Bouchard

Coming on the heels of two of my favorite sets at the 2010 Ottawa Bluesfest that I have ever seen, multiple choices came to a crest last night as Rush, The Swell Season and The Levon Helm Band were all scheduled to perform at the same time on Sunday night. I should have known that the world cup final would provide a tell tale sign for the evening’s events. Disappointment abounded. I looked forward to see if finally seeing Rush live might give me a greater appreciation of their music but I was not in the mood to deal with  the crush of the crowd so I stayed towards the back just past the wacky wavy inflatable flailing arm man. Unfortunately, this performance did nothing more than confirm what I seemed to already know and if you are looking for a review of their show I recommend you immediately turn away. I am clearly not a fan but some of the poorest sound I have ever heard coming from the main stage for the hour I was there certainly didn’t help.

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Arcade Fire Lights Up Ottawa Bluesfest

Win Butler of Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire - 07-13-2010

Review and photos by Mike Bouchard

(more photos here)

It's 9pm, a half-hour before Arcade Fire is to take the stage before an anxious crowd at the 2010 Ottawa Bluesfest.  As I walked up to the entrance to the photo pit, I didn't know what to expect.  How many photographers were going to show up? 

Last saturday at the Flaming Lips, there was at least 20 or more photographers with big lenses fighting for space to point their cameras while explosions of confetti and giant balloons rained from the sky.  Before Wayne Coyne appeared in an inflatable ball, all of the photographers were pulled into a huddle by the Director of Communications to instruct us on how to behave when the giant ball comes rolling out off of the stage.  He gave everyone clear instructions on how to go with the flow in order to avoid both injury and ruining the video being captured.  The coordination worked like a charm.  All of the photographers moved together much like fish in the ocean and everyone got their shots.

Fast forward 3 nights to Arcade Fire.  The stage had 6 mics lined up in a row, with the tallest in the center, likely for Win Butler, the giant in the band.  His stature mirrors the band's status in the Indie music scene and the respect that he has among his peers after performing with both David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen.  Let's not forget their career boosting performances on David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, and their "Best Alternative Music Album" Grammy Awards for both of their albums "Funeral" and "Neon Bible".

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