Recording: Dun-Dun Band

Artist: Dun-Dun Band

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Dun-Dun Land: Slight Return), April 9, 2024.

Dun-Dun Band - unknown

Essentially a warm-up show for the forthcoming full-on album release celebration (see details below), this night saw most of the Dun-Dun Band gathered together (but with "only" two sax players). Digging into tracks from Pita Parka, Pt. I (as well as its in-the-can sequel) the players were in sync through Craig Dunsmuir's fragment-suites, moving from rollicking lockgroove tumbles to some considered stately rumbles.

[That release celebration will be happening in The Tranzac's Main Hall next week (Thursday, May 16th), with an opening set from Allison Cameron, Mira Martin-Gray and Josh Cole.]

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!

Recording: Cosmic Homeostasis

Artist: Cosmic Homeostasis

Song: Eclipse Drone [excerpt]

Recorded at Christie Pits, April 8, 2024.

Cosmic Homeostasis - Eclipse Drone [excerpt]

Well, a total solar eclipse isn't something that happens every day, and even if Toronto was limited to a mere 99.9% of totality this was an event worth getting outside for. So, returning to the scene of previous park gatherings, a robust crew gathered to experience the unsettling gloom that manifested even under cloudy skies. There was a visual score offered as a suggestion at structure, but as is usual with this ensemble, the sounds were satisfactorily self-regulating. And even with such a large group, it was still an intensely quiet experience — the zone of sounding attracted some notice from passers-by, but wasn't disruptive outside its bubble.

What an amazing turnout! The full ensemble consisted of:

• Ian McPhedran - prepared guitar
• Kai Schmidt - child's keyboard
• Helen Lhazan - monotron synth
• Elka Cruz - wrist bell + cyborg pancreas + kalimba
• styrofoamNosebleedPrincess - wrist bell, jaw harp, flexitone
• Mira Martin-Gray - synth, harmonica
• Simon Webb - tambourine + bell
• Eric Cinnsealach - bass clarinet
• Dame Cook - haunted laptop
• Alex Simons - harmonicas, bell
• Chris Price - voice
• Max Donaldson - voice
• Ivy Carroll - voice
• Daisy Betlej - bowed flexitone
• Kaya McGregor - tongue drum (soprano)
• Marius / Lenny / Adriano - stuff & vibes
• Naomi McCarroll-Butler - jaw harp
• Matthew + Anna - harmonica, whistle, thumb piano, pistachios
• Sara Constant - flute
• Kat Estacio - cymbal, Tibetan singing bowl
• Abigail Trotsky + Chris Trotter - DIY resonance box + bow w/ reverb + multi-effect
• Erin Corbett - cello + mandolin
• Mickle32 - bass
• Heraclitus Akimbo - synths, Zoia

You can listen to a (lightly-edited) version of the full experience over on bandcamp:

Monday Roundup #173

Community notes:

• Synthesists take note, once more this week features meets ups on Thursday (DRONE:KLUB) and Saturday (Frequency Freaks).

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Concert announcements:

The Brandon Davis Trio [Brandon Davis/Naomi McCarroll-Butler/Joe Sorbara] [album release celebration!] (Brandon Davis [solo]) / Sellers & Newel 2024-05-14 (Tuesday). $15 minimum donation. [more info]

catl. / Castro's Lounge 2024-05-18 (Saturday). $pwyc. [FB event]

Secret Sign (Science International) / Ted's Collision 2024-05-23 (Thursday). $free/pwyc. [FB event]

Gabe Girard presents (feat. The Jake Laur Trio [Ezra Schell/Yoshi Wall/Jake Laur] / Nobody Waved Goodbye (Joe Strutt/Mike Lynn/Marilyn Yogarajah/Gabe Girard] / D.B. Buxton with Special Guests) / The Dock Ellis 2024-05-26 (Sunday). $pwyc. [FB event]

Gentleman Reg (Kelly McMichael) / Burdock Music Hall 2024-05-28 (Tuesday). $15. [more info]

Dan Fortin [solo bass] / Sellers & Newel 2024-05-29 (Wednesday). $15 minimum donation. [more info]

John Kameel Farah & Nick Fraser [Farahser launch party!] / Monarch Tavern 2024-05-29 (Wednesday). $20 suggested donation; $30 will include a CD or LP. [FB event]

Coward Patrol & More Noise Please! present (feat. Never Sorry / Battle Milk / Black Galaxie / A Useless Mass) / Penny's Dive Bar 2024-06-08 (Saturday). $pwyc. [FB event]

A-Minor Presents (feat. Rituals / Fires of Cheektowaga / The Lee Majors / Memorex) / Hard Luck Bar 2024-06-08 (Saturday). $16.48, 19+. [FB event]

Tranzac Fundraiser II (feat. US Girls / Eucalyptus / Cots) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2024-06-14 (Friday). $20 adv, $25 door, 19+

Andy Haas & Mike Milligan / Sellers & Newel 2024-06-26 (Wednesday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]

Ducks Ltd. / Longboat Hall 2024-08-22 (Thursday). $29.10, 19+. [FB event]

Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!

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Shows this week:

Camille Léon presents: Agave (feat. The John Denver Airport Conspiracy /Wedding) / Burdock Music Hall 2024-05-06 (Monday). $15. [more info]

Spruce Needles (Jenny Omnichord / Heather Mariko / Todd Graham) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-06 (Monday) [more info]

Track Could Bend #91 (feat. TH6Ø [debut live performance!] / Olivia Shortt / Brian Abbott) / Wenona Lodge 2024-05-07 (Tuesday). $pwyc. [FB event]

ChamberDestroy [premieres of works by Nicole Lizee and Yaz Lancaster alongside pieces by Louis Andriessen and Julius Eastman] (feat. Ensemble Paramirabo & Thin Edge New Music Collective) / The Music Gallery 2024-05-07 (Tuesday). $tba. [more info]

Peripheral Vision with special guest Joe Sorbara (Joe Sorbara Sextet [Rebecca Hennessy/Ted Crosby/Aline Homzy/Tania Gill/Michael Herring/Joe Sorbara]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-07 (Tuesday) [FB event]

Brodie West presents (feat. The Donna Lee Quartet [Brodie West/Reg Schwager/Josh Cole/Nick Fraser]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-08 (Wednesday – early)

Westelaken / Bar Orwell Owl's Club 2024-05-08 (Wednesday)

People places records presents (feat. Yaz Lancaster [solo] / Yaz Lancaster/Andrew Noseworthy/Sara Constant) / The Tranzac (Living Room) 2024-05-08 (Wednesday). $22.89. [FB event]

Troglos (Drew Smith) / Houndstooth 2024-05-08 (Wednesday). $pwyc. [FB event]

Never Was [Brandon Davis/Racha Moukalled/Patrick O'Reilly/Adrian Russouw/Joe Sorbara] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-08 (Wednesday)

CMC Presents (feat. tUkU x bUdi) / Canadian Music Centre 2024-05-09 (Thursday). $15 Advance, $20 at the door; CMC Members and Arts Workers: $12 Advance, $15 at the door; Students. $10 anytime. [more info]

What Is: Spirituality (As Connection) [vibrotactile sound installation, ASMR and hypnosis + neurological-centered, psychoacoustic performance] (feat. Amma Ateria / Erin Gee / Leon Louder) / The Music Gallery 2024-05-09 (Thursday). $10-20 PWYCA [Pay What You Can Afford], all ages. [more info]

Beams [Requiem for a Planet album release show] (Pelican Movement / Zinnia) / The Garrison 2024-05-09 (Thursday). $18.86, 19+. [FB event]

What Is: Spirituality (As Laughter) – Sound Bath (feat. Laraaji & Arji OceAnanda / New Chance Peaceful Mind) / The Music Gallery 2024-05-10 (Friday). $10-20 PWYCA [Pay What You Can Afford], all ages. [more info]

Batuki Music Society presents (feat. Okavango African Orchestra) / Hugh's Room 2024-05-10 (Friday). $32.73. [FB event]

Audiopollination (feat. Dave Nelson/Paul Newman/Piers Oolvai / David MacDonald/Isabelle Méline/Saba Saneinejad / Michael Palumbo/Arnd Jurgensen/Stone He / Kayla Milmine/Anita Katakka/Isiah Naveed Farabakhsh) / Array Space 2024-05-10 (Friday). $10 [cash or card] (or PWYC/ free if you are lacking funds). [FB event]

PDA & More Noise Please present (feat. Jute / God of Gaps / Stashole / Murmur / Trauma Dump) / Bar Orwell Penny's 2024-05-10 (Friday) [more info]

Musica Universalis (feat. Colin Fisher Quartet [Colin Fisher/Aline Homzy/Jeff Luciani/Josh Cole]) / Derrick Vella [solo acoustic guitar) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-10 (Friday). $pwyc, $10 suggested donation

Blunt Object [performing the weird and wonderful music of Carla Bley, featuring Jay Hay/Ben Dietschi/Gordon Hyland/Jesse Malone/Teppei Kamei/Josh Bird/Robin Jessome/Zach Smith/Tania Gill/Phil Albert/Matthew Pullicino] / The Rex 2024-05-11 (Saturday – 2 p.m.). $10/$15. [FB event]

Welcome to Hipsville (feat. Ichi-Bons / The Kewpie Dolls / The Slow Drags / Fuzz Vultures / Thee Rogue Telstars) / Owl's Club 2024-05-11 (Saturday). $25. [FB event]

What Is: Spirituality (As Sharing) ["The beloved album 10 Ragas to a Disco Beat is reimagined"] (feat. Gurpreet Chana / Granny Smith / Anuja Panditrao / Marilyn Yogarajah / David Psutka / Nilan Perera / Hardeep Chana / Naomi McCarroll-Butler / Araz Salek / Peter Rahul / Enzo Sun / Lian McMillan / Rajvi Dedhia / Bhavajan Kumar / Dainty Smith) / The Music Gallery 2024-05-11 (Saturday). $15-25 PWYCA [Pay What You Can Afford], all ages. [more info]

Folly Group (Uh Huh) / Monarch Tavern 2024-05-11 (Saturday). $27.96, 19+. [FB event]

Michael Palumbo & Friends #5 [tUkU/Sara Constant/Pursuit Grooves/Pouya Hamidi/Steven Webb/Bea Labikova/Michael Palumbo] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-11 (Saturday)

Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Ayal Senior & Kurt Newman / William Davison / Karsten Stryker / Nick Flanagan) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-12 (Sunday – 2:30 p.m.). $pwyc. [FB event]

Annual Hirut Residency (feat. Eucalyptus [Aidan McConnell/Aline Homzy/Blake Howard/Brodie West/Evan Cartwright/Kurt Newman/Mike Smith/Nick Fraser/Ryan Driver]) / Hirut Café 2024-05-12 (Sunday). $15, dining available, family-friendly. [more info]

Recording: Voidfemmes & Erin Corbett

Artist: Voidfemmes & Erin Corbett

Songs: [two excerpts]

Recorded at Wenona Lodge (Track Could Bend #90), April 2, 2024.

Voidfemmes & Erin Corbett - [excerpt 1]

Voidfemmes & Erin Corbett - [excerpt 2]

Quite by accident, this edition of TCB contained two duos, each comprised of a guitarist and a synthesist — but ultimately that served to show how much terrain could be encompassed in that alignment. This pairing saw Lex Feathers (modular synth) and Erin Corbett (guitar) taking turns swelling above the haze with sympathetic textures. The set ended with an electro-folk-y take on Portishead's "The Rip", which both sounded like an extension of the abstractions that had come before it as well as a nod to the more pop-oriented directions these musicians also explore.

You can check out some more from this set (including that cover) over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend is back at Wenona on Tuesday (May 7th) with sets from Olivia Shortt and Brian Abbott, plus the debut live performance of harsh abstract electronics project TH6Ø.]

Recording: Allison Cameron & Stephen Parkinson

Artist: Allison Cameron & Stephen Parkinson

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at Wenona Lodge (Track Could Bend #90), April 2, 2024.

Allison Cameron & Stephen Parkinson - [excerpt]

Quite by accident, this edition of TCB contained two duos, each comprised of a guitarist and a synthesist — but ultimately that served to show how much terrain could be encompassed in that alignment. Leading off the evening, Allison Cameron provided laptop manipulations and crackle synth crunches, while Stephen Parkinson, guitar mostly on lap and preparations in hand, provided a masterclass in listening and restraint. Call it quiet noise — the deliberate, slow accretion of sounds provided many aural riches for those willing to lean forward and listen closely.

You can check out some more from this set over on youtube:

[Track Could Bend is back at Wenona on Tuesday (May 7th) with sets from Olivia Shortt and Brian Abbott, plus the debut live performance of harsh abstract electronics project TH6Ø.]

Recording: Heraclitus Akimbo/Gabe Girard/mkl32

Artist: Heraclitus Akimbo-Gabe Girard-mkl32

Song: Muskox Problems (for Mike) [edit]

Recorded at Bar Orwell^* (Gabe Girard presents), March 31, 2024.

Heraclitus Akimbo-Gabe Girard-mkl32 - Muskox Problems (for Mike) [edit]

A cool'n'casual night of experimental sounds made for a pleasant Sunday evening. Curated by percussionist Gabe Girard, who also held down the drum chair for this set alongside double bassist Mike Smith. Heraclitus Akimbo, meanwhile, added some kaossilations, as well as a tape loop of Muskox's "Caveman Caveman Crystal Skulls" for this piece.

You can check out some more from this set over on youtube:

[Final details are being ironed out, but this group will be back will be playing once more — with a fourth member and a band name! Best you keep May 26th open — details to follow.]

^* Important reminder: "Bar Orwell has permanently closed its 1595 Dundas Street West location due to constructive eviction as of Thursday, April 11, 2024." Please support this "place for all the freaks and weirdos" at their gofundme.

Recording: Molehill

Artist: Molehill

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at Bar Orwell^* (Gabe Girard presents), March 31, 2024.

Molehill - [excerpt]

A cool'n'casual night of experimental sounds made for a pleasant Sunday evening. Curated by percussionist Gabe Girard, this show saw Molehill leaving their customary environs of the Southern Cross Lounge for the first time. There were some subtle evolutions from when I last saw them, including seeing the duty of sonic processing shifting more to drummer Jake Oelrichs, leaving Mike Smith with fewer distractions as he played bass.

^* Important reminder: "Bar Orwell has permanently closed its 1595 Dundas Street West location due to constructive eviction as of Thursday, April 11, 2024." Please support this "place for all the freaks and weirdos" at their gofundme.

Monday Roundup #172

Community notes:

• Bar Orwell — which has been a open-eared community hub for the past while now — has closed as a result of Severe Landlord Trouble. They're looking to re-establish the venue in a better space, which is no easy thing in this market and economy. The city's definitely a better place with community-focused venues that are willing to take risks on strange and/or abrasive sounds, so you should read their story and support their gofundme.

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Concert announcements:

Blunt Object [performing the weird and wonderful music of Carla Bley, featuring Jay Hay/Ben Dietschi/Gordon Hyland/Jesse Malone/Teppei Kamei/Josh Bird/Robin Jessome/Zach Smith/Tania Gill/Phil Albert/Matthew Pullicino] / The Rex 2024-05-11 (Saturday – 2 p.m.). $10/$15. [FB event]

Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Ayal Senior & Kurt Newman / William Davison / Karsten Stryker / Nick Flanagan) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-12 (Sunday – 2:30 p.m.). $pwyc. [FB event]

Annual Hirut Residency (feat. Eucalyptus [Aidan McConnell/Aline Homzy/Blake Howard/Brodie West/Evan Cartwright/Kurt Newman/Mike Smith/Nick Fraser/Ryan Driver]) / Hirut Café 2024-05-12 (Sunday). $15, dining available, family-friendly. [more info]

Josh Cole presents (feat. Kind Mind [Josh Cole/Ted Crosby/ Michael Davidson]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-14 (Tuesday). $10/pwyc. [FB event]

Not Dead Yet presents (The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis / Fortunato Durutti Marinetti / Daydream Plus) / The Velvet Underground 2024-05-14 (Tuesday). $27.58. [FB event]

TONE presents (feat. Lea Bertucci / Germaine Liu / Black Galaxie) / Standard Time 2024-05-15 (Wednesday). $17.52, all-ages. [FB event]

TONE presents (feat. Nate Wooley's Columbia Icefield [Nate Wooley/Susan Alcorn/Ava Mendoza/Ryan Sawyer] / Rob Clutton Trio with Kurt Newman [Rob Clutton/Karen Ng/Nick Fraser]) / Standard Time 2024-05-17 (Friday). $22.89, all-ages. [FB event]

Annual Hirut Residency (feat. Eucalyptus [Aidan McConnell/Aline Homzy/Blake Howard/Brodie West/Evan Cartwright/Kurt Newman/Mike Smith/Nick Fraser/Ryan Driver]) / Hirut Café 2024-05-26 (Sunday). $15, dining available, family-friendly. [more info]

Annual Hirut Residency (feat. Eucalyptus [Aidan McConnell/Aline Homzy/Blake Howard/Brodie West/Evan Cartwright/Kurt Newman/Mike Smith/Nick Fraser/Ryan Driver]) / Hirut Café 2024-06-02 (Sunday). $15, dining available, family-friendly. [more info]

Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!

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Shows this week:

Jon McKiel (Louie Short) / The Baby G 2024-04-29 (Monday). $29.98. [FB event]

Dan Pitt Quintet [Naomi McCarroll-Butler/Patrick Smith/Alex Fournier/Nick Fraser/Dan Pitt] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-29 (Monday) [FB event]

Solitary Shrew presents (feat. Dame Cook / Tumbling/Arrival) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-30 (Tuesday – early). $pwyc, 10 suggested donation. [more info]

Nick Fraser presents (feat. Pierre-Yves Martel Ephemera [solo modular synthesizer + harmonium] / Pierre-Yves Martel/Nick Fraser/Karen Ng) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-30 (Tuesday). $pwyc.

Holy Oak Family Singers present (feat. Holy Oak Family Singers & Veda Hille) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-01 (Wednesday – early!)

The Max Donaldson Quartet [Max Donaldson/Andrew Downing/Aline Homzy/Aidan McConnell] / Sellers & Newel 2024-05-02 (Thursday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]

CCMC with guest Nick Storring [John Kamevaar/John Oswald/Paul Dutton/Casey Sokol/Al Mattes] / Array Space 2024-05-02 (Thursday). $free, livestream available

The Tania Gill presents (feat. The Tania Gill Quartet [Brodie West/Rob Clutton/Nico Dann/Tania Gill]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-03 (Friday – early) [FB event]

Concrete Cabaret/OBJECTO Festival and Sensorium (York University) present: weave me too into the threads of your song ["a work-in-progress performance inspired by anarchist Yiddish poetry, made for the catastrophes and hopes of the present"] (feat. Jessica Moss/Erik Ruin/Gabriel Levine / Germaine Liu & Mark Zurawinski) / Array Space 2024-05-03 (Friday). Admission by donation; all proceeds go to MECA (Middle East Children's Alliance) for Gaza emergency aid. [FB event]

Glories of the German Romantic Era (feat. The Tallis Choir) / St. Patrick's Church 2024-05-04 (Saturday). $30 General, $25 Seniors, $10 Students. [FB event]

Mark Hundevad/Mike Gennaro/ Annette Studios 2024-05-04 (Saturday) [FB event]

Annual Hirut Residency (feat. Eucalyptus [Aidan McConnell/Aline Homzy/Blake Howard/Brodie West/Evan Cartwright/Kurt Newman/Mike Smith/Nick Fraser/Ryan Driver]) / Hirut Café 2024-05-05 (Sunday). $15, dining available, family-friendly. [more info]

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Bandcamp corner:

• Is it Bandcamp Friday? It is on Friday, May 3rd. Here's a couple things I'll be looking to grab:

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It happened this week...

• ...on April 29, 2018 at The Music Gallery.

Not The Music feat. Joe McPhee - [excerpt 1]

• ...on May 1, 2018 at Celestina (Track Could Bend #38).

Jen Wardle + John Mark Sherlock - [track 5]

[Do remember that you can click on the tags below to go back and find the original posts (and often, more stuff) from these artists.]

Monday Roundup #171

Community notes:

• If you're interested in deconstructing power relations in concert/classical music, you should probably check out "spectatorship is not neutral", part of a series of "site-specific interventions for concert halls" by Colin Tucker at the Canadian Music Centre April 23-26 and April 29-May 3. Incorporating participatory performances, an artist talk plus a panel discussion there should be plenty to absorb. More information here.
• Michael Palumbo (of the Exit Points series and so much more) will be giving a live modular synth performance as part of a screening of Subotnick: Portrait of an Electronic Music Pioneer at the Revue Cinema on Wednesday (April 24th). The night will also include a Q&A with director Robert Fantinatto.

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A word from your host:

• Goodness knows I try not to be too self-promote-y in this space, but I've got a big week coming up. I'm having a birthday party at The Tranzac on Wednesday (April 25th) and you really oughtta be there. There will be live sets from Eucalyptus, Isla Craig + band and Colin Fisher, eats, and just maybe a free record giveaway table (!). I'm proposing $15 cash at the door (or in advance online if you want to stay cashless) but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. (And if you want some more intimate, more sonically abstract time with me, I'll be celebrating the recent release of Wenderly Park's debut album with Fahmid Nibesh at 918 Bathurst's Sun Room on Tuesday evening (April 23rd).

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Concert announcements:

Nick Fraser presents (feat. Pierre-Yves Martel Ephemera [solo modular synthesizer + harmonium] / Pierre-Yves Martel/Nick Fraser/Karen Ng) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-30 (Tuesday). $pwyc.

Holy Oak Family Singers present (feat. Holy Oak Family Singers & Veda Hille) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-01 (Wednesday – early!)

Fan Wu [touch The Ten Thousand Things without dependency album launch] (Prince Nifty /New Chance) / 918 Bathurst 2024-05-02 (Thursday). $15 ($30 with LP). [more info/tickets]

Glories of the German Romantic Era (feat. The Tallis Choir) / St. Patrick's Church 2024-05-04 (Saturday). $30 General, $25 Seniors, $10 Students. [FB event]

Camille Léon presents: Agave (feat. The John Denver Airport Conspiracy /Wedding) / Burdock Music Hall 2024-05-06 (Monday). $15. [more info]

Audiopollination (feat. Dave Nelson/Paul Newman/Piers Oolvai / David MacDonald/Isabelle Méline/Saba Saneinejad / Michael Palumbo/Arnd Jurgensen/Stone He / Kayla Milmine/Anita Katakka/Isiah Naveed Farabakhsh) / Array Space 2024-05-10 (Friday). $10 [cash or card] (or PWYC/ free if you are lacking funds). [FB event]

PDA & More Noise Please present (feat. Jute / God of Gaps / Stashole / Murmur / Trauma Dump) / Bar Orwell Penny's 2024-05-10 (Friday) [more info]

Christina Petrowska Quilico [Games of the Night Wind album release, featuring nocturnes by David Jaeger] / Canadian Music Centre 2024-05-15 (Wednesday). $free with RSVP. [more info]

Small World Music presents (feat. Saami Brothers Qawwali) / The Creative School Chrysalis (Toronto Metropolitan University Theatre) 2024-05-18 (Saturday). $33.28-$86.53. [FB event]

L CON (James Irwin) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-05-24 (Friday) [FB event]

The Ship String Quartet [Rob Clutton/Aline Homzy/Tilman Lewis/Nilan Perera] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-06-09 (Sunday – early) [FB event]

Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!

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Shows this week:

Colin Fisher Quartet [Colin Fisher/Aline Homzy/Josh Cole/Jeff Luciani] / The Emmet Ray 2024-04-23 (Tuesday – 6 p.m.). $10-15. [more info]

Wenderly Park [album release celebration!] (Friends of Wenderly Park feat. Marilyn Yogarajah/Bea Labikova/Allison Cameron/Mike Lynn/Jason Doell) / The Sun Room at 918 Bathurst 2024-04-23 (Tuesday). $pwyc. [FB event]

Shakespeare's Birthday (feat. Sweet Session [Randi Helmers/Rob Clutton]) / Sellers & Newel 2024-04-23 (Tuesday). $20 minimum donation. [FB event]

Escote (Output 1:1:1 / Flake) / See-Scape 2024-04-23 (Tuesday) [FB event]

John Millard’s Hope Street [John Millard/Rob Clutton/Chris Pruden] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-23 (Tuesday)

Lipliners 4th Wednesday of the month residency (feat. Ronley Teper & The Lipliners) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-24 (Wednesday) [FB event]

Moon King [Roses album release party] (Lee Paradise) / Monarch Tavern 2024-04-25 (Thursday). $19.56, 19+. [FB event]

Joe's 50th Birthday (feat. Eucalyptus / Isla Craig + band / Colin Fisher) / The Tranzac (Main Hall) 2024-04-25 (Thursday). $pwyc/$15 (or more), notaflof. [FB event]

Karen Ng Presents (feat. Marilyn Lerner/Matt Brubeck Duo) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-25 (Thursday). $pwyc. [more info]

All-Set! Presents (feat. Molehill) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-26 (Friday – early). $pwyc. [more info]

Exit Points 48 (feat. bridge of sand/Isaiah Farahbakhsh/Sohrab Malekzadeh/Mira Martin-Gray/Brian Abbott / shn shn/Rakkatak/Bijan Sepanji/Ronley Teper/Michael Palumbo / Switchemups!) / Array Space 2024-04-26 (Friday). $20 advance, $25 door. [FB event]

The Ryan Driver Sextet / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2024-04-26 (Friday). $pwyw

Din VII: Museum of Quiet Sounds ["This pop-up sound museum features 10 musical exhibits, each taking place in a different space of the venue simultaneously. Similar to an art gallery, audience members will be free to walk around, talk quietly, drink beverages, and enter/ exit throughout the show."] (feat. Interro Quartet / Clover Ensemble / ék / Duo Holz / Grace Scheele / Wesley Shen / Hillary Jean Young / Sara Constant) / The Music Gallery 2024-04-26–27 (Friday–Saturday). $0-20 PWYCA [Pay What You Can Afford], all ages. [FB event]

Dan Pitt Quintet [Naomi McCarroll-Butler/Patrick Smith/Alex Fournier/Nick Fraser/Dan Pitt] / The Rex 2024-04-28 (Sunday) [FB event]

Art of Improv presents (feat. Eugene Martynec/Bill McBirnie/Bill Gilliam / Gayle Young) / Annette Studios 2024-04-28 (Sunday). $20/pwyc. [FB event]

Happy Sundays (feat. Sunglaciers / Alex Fernz / Uh Huh) / The Baby G 2024-04-28 (Sunday). $free, 19+. [FB event]

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It happened this week...

• ...on April 25, 2009 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Art Bergmann (feat. Tony Dekker) - Sin City

• ...on April 28, 2009 at The Music Gallery.

Mountains - [End of Part 1]

[Do remember that you can click on the tags below to go back and find the original posts (and often, more stuff) from these artists.]

Recording: Cosmic Homeostasis XXIII

Artist: Cosmic Homeostasis XXIII

Songs: Moving [excerpt] + Top of the Mountain [excerpt]

Recorded at The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), March 31, 2023.

Cosmic Homeostasis XXIII - Moving [excerpt]

Cosmic Homeostasis XXIII - Top of the Mountain [excerpt]

With the calendar withholding a fifth Sunday of the month until March, this was the first manifestation of this ever shifting/growing collective in the calendar year, but even competing calls of Easter weekend couldn't stop a robust group of droners from gathering together. With birthday celebrant Diane Roblin considering the names of the pieces, there was a nice mix of gentle clatter and spacy drift over these two selections.

The full ensemble this time out was:

• Diane Roblin - Yamaha Reface, melodica, namer-of-things
• Scott M2 - Animoog
• Carly H - voice
• Dame Cook - plastic, cup, laptop
• Eric Cinnesealach - bass clarinet, percussion
• Mira Martin-Gray - tone generator, voice
• Mike Filippov - percussion
• Victor O - melodica, salt packets
• Marilyn Yogarajah - trumpet, piano
• Jesse Clark - percussion
• Phil - static apparition
• Paul Newman - tenor saxophone
• Mickle32 - bass
• Heraclitus Akimbo - Roland J-6, Bastl Kastle, radio, lyre

And as always, you can hear/download the entire performance over at bandcamp:

Recording: The Ryan Driver Sextet

Artist: The Ryan Driver Sextet + friends

Songs: Stardust (feat. John Southworth) [composer: Hoagy Carmichael] / So it Goes (feat. Robin Dann) / It's Tulip Season (feat. Felicity Williams) / My Man (feat. Jennifer Castle) [composers: Maurice Yvain/Channing Pollock]

Recorded at The Tranzac's Main Hall (Ryan Driver’s Big 5-0), March 30, 2024.

The Ryan Driver Sextet feat. John Southworth - Stardust

The Ryan Driver Sextet feat. Robin Dann - So it Goes

The Ryan Driver Sextet feat. Felicity Williams - It's Tulip Season

The Ryan Driver Sextet feat. Jennifer Castle - My Man

This wonderful evening was intriguing on several levels, besides being a warm gathering of many familiar faces to celebrate a landmark birthday for Ryan Driver (as well as the 25th anniversary of the Sextet/Quintet/Quartet). It was also a somewhat-rare opportunity to hear the sextet outside their regular surroundings in the Southern Cross, and performing in the bigger room, with the band spread out and a bit more attention paid to micing and amplification gave some new shadings to the group's sound.

It also expanded the palette by bringing up a parade of guest vocalists for most of the songs — with the singers above being joined by Alex Samaras, Doug Tielli, Alex Lukashevsky, and Sandro Perri. Comcomitant with that, the repertoire expanded somewhat beyond the group's usual standards, brushing up against pop, as well as bringing in a couple of Driver's own tunes (including one originally written for The Titillators). For a group that can be astonishing in its regular way on any given month, it was a treat to see this special occasion widescreen version.

[The Ryan Driver Sextet will be back in the Southern Cross on their regular last-Friday-of-the-month timeslot on April 26th.]

Recording: Lima/West/Kay/Newman

Artist: Liz Lima/Brodie West/Andrew Kay/Paul Newman

Song: Job's Anguish [last section] [composer: Brian Abbott]

Recorded at Gerrard Art Space (Faster Presents: juice?$#%*), March 23, 2024.

Liz Lima/Brodie West/Andrew Kay/Paul Newman - Job's Anguish [last section]

This night of improvisations closed out with a clarinet quartet essaying this new composition ("a sort of collage piece," it was explained) from Brian Abbott, who also conducted.

You can check out the complete piece over on youtube:

[This is the sort of thing you might hear more of at gatherings of the Cowbell Composer Collective, who have just started a residency at The Tranzac on second Sundays of the month, so keep an eye for further announcments on that front.]

Recording: Kay/Milmine/Vespaziani

Artist: Andrew Kay/Kayla Milmine/Bob Vespaziani

Song: [two excerpts]

Recorded at Gerrard Art Space (Faster Presents: juice?$#%*), March 23, 2024.

Andrew Kay/Kayla Milmine/Bob Vespaziani - [excerpt 1]

Andrew Kay/Kayla Milmine/Bob Vespaziani - [excerpt 2]

This trio set saw horns up from from Kayla Milmine (soprano sax) and Andrew Kay (clarinet, bass clarinet, wooden flute) backed by Bob Vespaziani's expansive wavedrum sounds.

You can check out the complete set over on youtube:

Recording: Brian Abbott & Ryan Kinney

Artist: Brian Abbott & Ryan Kinney

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at Gerrard Art Space (Faster Presents: juice?$#%*), March 23, 2024.

Brian Abbott & Ryan Kinney - [excerpt]

This duo for electric guitars moved from throrny abstraction into a building postrock groove in this ending section, with Ryan Kinney providing the repeating riff/bassline while Brian Abbott shredded towards the strat-o-sphere.

You can check out the complete set over on youtube:

[Brian Abbott will be playing some solo microtonal banjo (with "hypnotic hints of bluegrass, maqam, and swirling clusters of notes clunking and sliding into your ear holes") at Track Could Bend, coming up on May 7th.]

Recording: Happy Apple

Artist: Happy Apple

Song: [excerpt]

Recorded at Gerrard Art Space (Faster Presents: juice?$#%*), March 23, 2024.

Happy Apple - [excerpt]

This electroacoustic playtime project from Allison Cameron and Joe Strutt made its return to live performance with a table full of electronics as well as a trio of the titular toys/instruments. Manipulating their pleasant chimes, there would later be some laptop granulations, banjos, red delicious and granny smiths added to the mix.

You can check out the complete set over on youtube:

[Joe Strutt will be appearing with a different duo next Tuesday (April 23rd) to celebrate the release of Wenderly Park's self-titled album.]