Category: Live music galleries

Categories
Live music galleries

Live music galleries: The Strumbellas [2019/2022]

(I got the idea for this series while sifting through the ‘piles’ of digital photos on my laptop. It occurred to me to share some of these great pics from some of my favourite concert sets from time to time. Until I get around to the next one, I invite you to peruse my ever-growing list of concerts page.)

The Strumbellas live at CityFolk, 2019

Artist: The Strumbellas
When: September 12th, 2019 and June 24th, 2022
Where: CityFolk Festival, Lansdowne Park and Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, Mooney’s Bay Park, both in Ottawa
Context: I know, I know, two of these ‘Live Music Galleries’ posts in a row (and this one’s a bit different to boot*) but I just couldn’t help myself. I finally got out to see some live music this past weekend, the first in over two and a half years, and in a crazy bit of symmetry, it just so happened that the first headlining act I got to see was also the last one that I saw before the pandemic put a monkey wrench in things. Things have changed somewhat in the years between these live sets by Canadian indie folk collective, The Strumbellas. Their frontman, principal songwriter, and founding member Simon Ward stepped away from touring duties earlier this year and was replaced by Jimmy Chauveau. The rest of the band is still intact, however, and as lively as ever. I actually I think I enjoyed Friday night’s show more than I did when I saw them in 2019 and it’s not just that I lived the realization of how much I missed the rush of live performances, though that was certainly a factor. I actually became more familiar with the band’s catalogue in the intervening years and could easily sing along with all their huge numbers… and sing along loudly I did. Now, I really can’t wait for Bluesfest.
Point of reference song: “Spirits”

Original lead singer, Simon Ward
New lead singer Jimmy Chauveau
Jon Hembrey, 2019
David Ritter and Darryl James, 2022
Isabel Ritchie, 2019
Dave, then
Dave, now
Jeremy Drury, 2019
Isabel Ritchie and Jimmy Chauveau, 2022
Isabel Ritchie, Jeremy Drury, and Simon Ward
The Strumbellas live at Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, 2022

*This gallery is a mixture of the two different concerts, two a half years separating them. And yes, the older photos are much better. This is because I, myself, was having a hard time standing still enough to take clear photos at this past weekend’s show.

Categories
Live music galleries

Live music galleries: Nap Eyes [2016]

(I got the idea for this series while sifting through the ‘piles’ of digital photos on my laptop. It occurred to me to share some of these great pics from some of my favourite concert sets from time to time. Until I get around to the next one, I invite you to peruse my ever-growing list of concerts page.)

Nap Eyes at Ottawa Dragon Boat festival, 2016

Artist: Nap Eyes
When: June 25th, 2016
Where: Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, Ottawa
Context: Tomorrow marks the beginning of this year’s edition of Ottawa’s Dragon Boat Festival and if the weather gods are kind, it will mark the return of live music to my life after a two and a half year absence. Of course, the festival itself is mostly about the dragon boat racing and raising money for charity but it also includes free, all-ages concerts that typically showcase the finest in Canadian talent. I’ve seen some excellent shows there over the years, a few from which I’ve shared photos on these pages. Back in 2016, I caught Halifax, Nova Scotia’s Nap Eyes just after they released their critically acclaimed sophomore album, “Thought rock fish scale.” I was truly excited to see them because I had just discovered them and had been talking them up to friends and colleagues, describing them as The Velvet Underground, if all their songs meandered just so, like “Sunday Morning”. Live, they were completely as I suspected, all jangly and crashing guitars, and jaunty, consistent drumming. All four band members were playing in their own world, eyes closed and heads down, as if the audience weren’t there most of the time. Frontman Nigel Chapman’s vocals were uneven and unassured but in my opinion, that’s what gives the songs their edge, like early Belle & Sebastian or New Order: tentative but charming. It was an amazing show, nonetheless, and one during which I found myself lost in the music throughout most of the hour.
Point of reference song: “Click clack”

Seamus Dalton and Nigel Chapman of Nap Eyes
Josh Salter of Nap Eyes
Brad Loughead of Nap Eyes
Seamus Dalton
Nigel Chapman
Categories
Live music galleries

Live music galleries: Interpol [2015]

(I got the idea for this series while sifting through the ‘piles’ of digital photos on my laptop. It occurred to me to share some of these great pics from some of my favourite concert sets from time to time. Until I get around to the next one, I invite you to peruse my ever-growing list of concerts page.)

Interpol live at Bluesfest 2015

Artist: Interpol
When: July 18, 2015
Where: Claridge Homes stage, Ottawa Bluesfest, Lebreton Flats Park, Ottawa
Context: I had been following this New York-based indie rock band for well over a decade by the time 2015 rolled around. Interpol were easily my preferred out of all the post-punk revivalists and their first two records are still among my favourite of the 2000s. Founding bassist, Carlos Dengler had left the band five years prior (in 2010) but the remaining trio of Paul Banks (vocals, guitar), Daniel Kessler (guitars), and Sam Fogarino (drums)* were still (and still are) very much a going concern. In fact, they had just put out “El pintor” the previous year, perhaps their best album in a decade. After initial a wave here and a smile there, pleasantries dispensed, they started in like gangbusters, a sonic assault of angular guitars and booming basslines, and Paul Banks’ iconic deep vocals, often lying in wait in the weeds and layers of synths. It was a powerful set and loud, mixing new and old seamlessly. Interestingly, they went to the well of 2004’s “Antics” quite often, digging out favourites like “Narc”, “Evil”, “Take you on a cruise”, “C’mere”, “Not even jail”, and finishing off the whole works with “Slow hands”. I especially appreciated the passionate and crazed rendition of recent single, “All the rage back home”, a personal favourite. I think my only critique of the set was that at around fifty minutes, partially due to an act finishing up late on the other stage, it all felt way too short. Still, Interpol!!!!

Point of reference song: “All the rage back home”

Sam Fogarino of Interpol
Daniel Kessler of Interpol
Paul Banks of Interpol
Brandon Curtis and Brad Truax, touring members
Paul Banks, Daniel Kessler, and Sam Fogarino

*They were joined on stage by touring bassist Brad Truax and Brandon Curtis (formerly of Secret Machines) on keys.