Jill Barber w/the Hyzoloists
Mod Club
12.21.09
8.5/10
Jill Barber swooped through Toronto on a frigid Saturday in February, promoting her new album, Chances. Using this night as her “official” launch party for this album, I couldn’t think of a better venue than the Mod Club to host. With a hybrid of seats, cocktail tables and a giant mirrorball set, the venue was as classy and chic as our the beloved East Coast singer/songwriter who graced the stage.
CBC Radio3 host Grant Lawrence was the MC of the evening, kicking off the night with a heavily layered and resonant instrumental set from Toronto’s own Hyzoloists. There aren’t many times you get a chance to hear the xylophone (or is it a Marimba?) as the lead instrument in an indie band without it sounding like dissonant off-the-rails random indie band that Pitchfork somehow rated 9.2/10. The Hyzolists were in actual fact very talented and experienced, knowing how to construct a composition with enough variation, layering and movement to keep audiences engaged and from leaving to grab a drink.
Jill Barber bounced onto the stage with a 50′s inspired skirt that fit the theme of her new album, Chances. The bright and bouncy dress matched Barber’s beaming smile and enthusiasm, infectious to everyone watching and the music she performed. Her signature seductive smoky alto voice worked in harmony with her 50s jazz/folk inspired music, staying true to the sound but still relevant to today.
Barber’s performance appeared effortless, captivating the audience though great storytelling and intros to the inspiration to her songs. The highlight of the night was her performance of “Oh My My,” a song which could easily be mistaken as a classic Mississippi bluegrass folk tune sung in the Great Depression. With hand clapping, toe stomping call and answers with the band/crowd, Jill had everyone moving and singing to the beat.
Jill Barber’s set also included some of her classic love/lust songs such as “For All Time,” “Two Brown Eyes” and “When I’m Making Love To You”, reminding us why we fell in love with her in the first place. Overall it was a great show and one leaving everyone with a big smile on their face and little pride in finding a Canadian talent so genuine that can connect with listeners from all ages and backgrounds.
Dan Mangan from Vancouver has been recording a sophomore album to his first release, Post Cards and Daydreaming. He’s got a deep, raspy powerful voice accompanied by stripped down acoutic guitar that’ll make anyone stop to to listen.
Although he was a bit rusty being in the studio vs. relentessly on tour and playing folk festivals up the guitar hole, he put on a decent set at the Wreck Room on the corner of Bloor and Spadina. It was part of IndieCan Radio, a local indie music radio/podcast that puts on a free weekly show showcasing indie artists.
What a way to spark up a freezing Wednesday night. A trio East Coast artists put on a show at the Horseshoe, showcasing great breadth of music and talent emerging from the East. Opening the set was Oh No Forest Fires, a firey indie punk band, with as much ragged bounce as it’s lead singer’s hairdo. Although I only caught the last 2 tracks of their set, I could tell they could’ve gone all night.
Following up was Museum Pieces. Although they had a few technical issues and temperamental front man right out of the gates, they put in a decent set. Essences of Northern Lights and prog rock shimmered through, but overall I had trouble deciphering variance between songs, to a point where everything simply melding into one. Their rolling instrumental proggy sequences that never climaxed, and with mediocre on-stage performance, the band had trouble connecting to and engaging with audience. We never really got past their name, let alone their live set.
The Earnest East coasters roots rock band Hey Rosetta! headlined the night with an high energy set promoting their newest album produced with Hawksley Workman, Into Your Lungs. Yet again the kids from Halifax New Foundland delivered a foot stomping, hand clapping show stopping set. With a handful of devote fans leading the way, highlights included “New Goodbye”, “Handshake the Gangster”, and ‘oldies’ “Another Pilot” and “Simplest Thing”.
I just can’t seem to get enough of this band – Each song works like chapters in harmony with one another. Each musician is equally gifted in their own way and you can hear elements of classical training adding in depth, intricacy and sheer genious when it’s all stitched together. HR! on stage presence is strong and you can see their love and passion for the music and stage. It’s a brand of earnest musicians that love what they do and don’t let the their new found success and hype go into their lungs.
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CBC Radio3 host Grant Lawrence was the MC of the evening, kicking off the night with a heavily layered and resonant instrumental set from Toronto’s own Hyzoloists. There aren’t many times you get a chance to hear the xylophone (or is it a Marimba?) as the lead instrument in an indie band without it sounding like dissonant off-the-rails random indie band that Pitchfork somehow rated 9.2/10. The Hyzolists were in actual fact very talented and experienced, knowing how to construct a composition with enough variation, layering and movement to keep audiences engaged and from leaving to grab a drink.
