For the past 5 years I’ve been holding a holiday party in the beginning of December, to kick off the festive season.  Last year we brought in a live act to play a blend of electro-jazz during the party. For our 5th Anniversary, we decided to bring it to the next level.

Kuba Oms, a rising soul-rock musician from Victoria BC recently launched “How Much Time”, a full-length album in 2009.  I had the luck of catching him at the Rivoli during the North By North East music festival that same year.  Since then, I’ve been addicted to his catchy blend of soul, rock and pop.

The magic of his music lies in its ability to transcend many genres, resulting in its appeal to virtually anyone.  It’s tough to find someone who wouldn’t groove to a pop track like “Beautiful Uncertainty”; a rocker who wouldn’t dig hooks ala ZZ Top from “Ride On”; or a folkie that wouldn’t feel his heart-felt sentiments from “This Heaven” or “Piece de Resistance”.

When Oms agreed to play an intimate acoustic set in our living room for our holiday party, I knew he would not only blow away some of his biggest fans in Toronto, but also spread his music to 50 other music lovers lucky enough to be there for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Oms flew in from BC just for the occasion. He walked into a house of people without knowing a single person, except the organizers he spoke to on the phone, and his drummer Rob Chursinoff.  My hat goes off to both of them for the faith that what they walked into wouldn’t be something they’d wished they never did.

Lucky for them, we had a warm welcome ready for them both.  We’d been preparing for them for weeks, applying the simple, yet effective EAT + DRINK = KUBA MERRY approach.

The night began with a spread of food for the guests and musicians, which included:

• Berkshire Meatballs and Sausages (from a farmer in Stratford)
• Devilled Artesian Organic Eggs  (from a farmer in Belleville)
• Vietnamese Cold Rolls
• Kamut flour Pecan and Date Bars
• Rye Apple Cider

With the living room cleared and musicians well fed and liquored up, we were ready to begin.  For this to work, it was imperative that everyone remained silent for the show – and that included the peanut gallery in the back kitchen.  This was especially the case since Oms had no mic or stage.

They started off with a slow and emotive duo, “This Heaven” and “Wherever You Are”, which immediately captured the crowd.  Their attention was undivided, eyes were fixated and not a noise was made other than the 2 resident cats sauntering in the living room to see what the hype was all about.

Once Oms broke into “Beautiful Uncertainty”, currently on the MuchMore Music Countdown, he had won everyone over.  It was time for Kuba to shine.

Here are some clips. Note that this event was filmed, so stay tuned for full HD video to be posted in the new year.

KUBA OMS – “Purple Rain” clip

In the middle of his set, he asked the crowd to participate in “Piece de Resistance”:

Encore – Clip

Weeks after the holiday party, I still hear folks talking about how incredible it was to be introduced to Kuba Oms and see him play in such an intimate space, and those who didn’t make it regretting not coming out.

I personally can’t believe this either. Given his musical talent and recent profile (for example, placing in the top 5 in the Peak Performance Project in 2009), I expected him to put on a good show. He delivered a great show, and one that everyone will remember. What I didn’t expect was how approachable, down to earth and appreciative he was for the entire event.   He not only hung out with everyone after the show, he went so far as joined in on an impromptu wine tasting in the basement by our washer and dryer.  Now that’s classy

This was one party that was not to be missed.  As long as Oms keeps up with his work ethic, positive attitude and heart of gold, it won’t be long until he’ll become a household name.  I’m looking forward to seeing him again sometime soon, hopefully next time with his full band.  Keep your eye out for him and be sure to check him out next time he’s back in Toronto!

The question is, how can we step it up for next year’s holiday party?

REVIEWED BY: ROBB ENG

Sweden’s latest folk singer/songwriter Kristian Matsson from Tallest Man on Earth comes to Toronto this Saturday.  Matsson has an immediately stark resemblance folk rasp of Bob Dylan but with intricate acoustic finger stylings that balance this scruffy voice.  Although his lyrics don’t match up to the D-man, he brings it all to life on stage.  With the show already sold out at the El mocombo, and a 8.3/10 Pitchfork rating on his “Shallow Grave” release, he’s doing something right.

Tallest Man on Earth w/Nurses
04.17.10
El Mocombo
SOLD OUT

VIDEO: The Tallest Man on Earth: Where Do My Bluebird Fly

Reid Jamieson w/Jessie Bell Smith
Rivoli
10.28.09

Ever since coming across Reid Jamieson about 5 years ago, floored from his acoustic EP “Noise in my Chest,” I’ve been meaning to see him live.  Ever since he moved to Vancouver, it has been tougher and tougher to catch him.  I was lucky enough to hear about his return to Toronto last Wednesday.

Walking into the Rivoli, I was taken aback by the revamp of it’s typically drab (yet intimate) backspace.  The space was transformed into a classic 1940s-inspired jazz bar, complete with tables w/white table cloths and candle lights. Not bad for a quick turnaround; enough so you didn’t care much about the plastic patio chairs and sticky floors from the previous weekend’s shenanigans.

Guelph folk darling Jessie Bell Smith kicked off the night with a solo set of gutteral roosty songs about old age homes, dead mice and drunken jagermeister.  Bell has a commanding raspy twang with the potential of great dames Etta James, Janis and Emma Lou Harris,powerful enough to fill the room without a mic. I wished she opened our eyes more as she was belted out those raw alto notes to strengthen her already powerful connection to the audience during her set.  She has a ton of potential – look out for her as she grows and returns backed by full band.

Coming straight off the heels of a successful tour with CBC’s Vinyl Cafe with Stewart McLean, Reid Jamieson came onto the stage to a warm and comforting crowd of close friends and family, including a few folks the Skydiggers.  His elation and emotion came through very strongly, as if he was putting on a special show in his own living room.  Jamieson was very professional and polite in his demenour, playing songs from his albums The Unavoidable Truth, The Presley Sessions, and his new EP, Courting Juniper, coming out this month.

Jessie Bell Smith came onstage to sing Paperback Fantasy, one the highlights of the night. Unfortunately he did not play any of his evocative and intimately private songs from his Noise in My Chest release, but it had been over 5 years since its release.

Although he started polite and professional off the gates, Jamieson loosened up to become his alter-elvis ego for his set of Elvis songs, and closing with a fun cover of Natural Woman.  Looking forward to hearing his next album of (presumably) knee-shaking heartbreak tunes and sweet love songs – something for which I can never seem to get enough.

-ROBB ENG

The incredible winning duo of Frames frontman Glen Hansard and Czech ingénue Marketa Irglova are returning for North American Tour.  I was lucky enough to see them last year at Massey Hall, blown away by their connection and raw emotion that only Massey Hall could contain and amplify.  They are returning to Massey Hall on November 3rd 8pm, so don’t miss out.

Presale tickets are avaiable TODAY only through their website (see below for details), offering great floor seats for fans. Public onsale begins Friday Sept 11.
Swell Season are adding the finishing touches on ‘StrictJoy,’  for Oct 27 release in North America), the follow-up to their beloved, surprise hit and oscar winning song from ‘Once’

As part of his cross Canada tour, he’ll be playing a couple venues in June.

June 13 June 12 – Toronto – The Rivoli - "TMB Lawyers" Showcase for North-By-North-East (Time TBC)

June 14 – Toronto – The Savannah Room - North-By-North-East @10 PM. Savanaah room is a bit of a hole but will give a truely intimate vibe; guaranteed he’ll blow you away.

Dan Mangan – "A Passport Approved" Live on Indie 103.1

www.danmanganmusic.com

www.myspace.com/danmangan