Say Hi @ Media Club, Vancouver, March 30, 2011

Say Hi release album after consistently brilliant album and put on a terrific live show.  They they (he) are not more popular is a terrible thing and one (amongst many) things about the music industry that I despise.  It's why I found myself at the Media Club, sick and exhausted and in desperate need of sleep on a Wednesday night ... it's also why I didn't regret my decision at all.  After seeing the band 3 times in 3 months, I thoroughly enjoyed every note and can't wait to see them again.

Yellow Ostrich @ Media Club, Vancouver, March 30, 2011

 

 

 

I first heard of Yellow Ostrich towards the end of 2010 when Say Hi posted about them.  I've been a fan ever since and had the album on constant repeat for awhile.  It was quite perfect as well when they were announced as the support for Say Hi.  And then they added Jon Natchez, who played in Beirut, and well even 4 gigs in 4 nights and a very bad cold couldn't keep me away.  They were wonderful.  I was slightly disappointed they didn't play their awesome cover of Fake Empire by The National, but I wasn't really expecting it and it would have been icing on the cake.  Definitely a band on the rise and deservedly so.

Sharon Van Etten @ Media Club, Vancouver, March 29, 2011

 

I'd been hearing about Sharon Van Etten for a while, but when I listened to her EP, it didn't grab me so I gave her a miss when she was in town opening up for Junip.  But then I heard her sing an REM cover and her show was announced for Vancouver and well, sometimes, the timing has to be right.  And wow, thank goodness it was.  She was awesome.  Bands either have it or bands don't.  I've been to shows where bands talk all the time and I've thought 'shut up and play'.  Not Sharon Van Etten. She talked and was funny and witty and self-deprecating.  She played an absolutely wonderful set of music and basically made me regret not seeing her in November but also made me glad that I finally came to my senses and got to see her play (hopefully) the first of many shows.

Little Scream @ Media Club, Vancouver, May 29, 2011

 

I started to hear about Little Scream just before she was announced as support for Sharon Van Etten, who I'd already bought a ticket to see.  I like when that happens.  Discover a band, band announces a local show.  It happened a fair bit in London but Vancouver is not London, so when it does happen here, it makes it that much more special.  And of course, expectations are fine, but when they're met or exceeded, it is a wonder to behold.  Little Scream on her own (backing band v border, border wins) was funny and sweet and charming and a really great musician.  Expectations were definitely exceeded and I became a big fan.

Braids @ Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, March 28, 2011

Whenever I don't like a band, I start to question myself why that is.  I guess it's never really just one thing you can put your finger on.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I have a huge respect for anyone willing to get up on stage and perform.  Musical talent aside, I'm not sure I could do it.  So Braids, who sounded great and who I was quite excited to see, just didn't grab me.  I mean sure, there was adversity ... voices were being strained and maybe pedals weren't working, but it didn't elicit sympathy, it annoyed me.  Maybe if they looked like they were excited to be there ... who knows.  The drummer, however, was the highlight for me so maybe I'll give them another chance.  Maybe they just had an off night.

Wye Oak @ Media Club, Vancouver, March 27, 2011

 

I actually bought the ticket for Telekinesis.  And then Wye Oak was announced as the support and it was around the time that I first heard of them and I listened to 'Please Concrete' and loved it and was quite excited to see them.  'Civilian', Wye Oak's new album came about and I liked it but I wasn't blown away.  The show was on a Sunday night amid a run of 5 gigs in 5 nights and so I started thinking an early(ish) night might be a good idea and could I live with only seeing Wye Oak.  I could.  They were amazing.  I mean really 'why haven't I seen this band before' and 'why aren't they huge' amazing.  I loved every minute.  They didn't play 'Please Concrete' but it didn't matter (not really).  There's just two of them - Jenn singing and playing guitar and Andy playing drums with one hand and keys with the other (can't be that hard, right?) but they're loud and lovely and I really can't wait to see them again.

Esben & The Witch @ The Waldorf Hotel, Vancouver, March 26, 2011

One of the knock-on effects of SXSW is that alot of bands tour around playing the festival.  The result being that a few days after returning home, I found myself with a string of 5 gigs in 5 nights ... all tickets were purchased prior to SXSW and it allowed me to scratch a few bands off my must-sees knowing I'd have a chance to see them.  Of course, the best laid plans sometimes have a way of falling apart and after seeing Esben & The Witch twice at SXSW, I found myself at the Waldorf to see them again for the 3rd time in about 2 weeks (and 5th time in about 6 months).  I am absolutely not complaining, though.  I like them more each time I see them and will definitely grab any chance I get to experience their live show.

Esben & The Witch @ The Spill, SXSW, March 15, 2011

I'd caught Esben & The Witch twice in October when they opened for Foals and really enjoyed their sets.  Their debut album is good but they really are a band that must be seen live.  Off stage, they're quiet and charming and lovely ... onstage they're the antithesis of this.  Smashing, crashing and thrashing and putting on a terrific show.