I’ll start watching 11PM EST. Click Here for a popout or hit the jump to view the post page directly.

Outside, it’s a not-so-bad -2ishC. My cousin and I are in the basement of the Drake Hotel sitting on a bench up against a wall. The stage is decorated like a fairy tale forest with animals all around: a few owls, a panda, and a squirrel. Against the rear curtain, a modest banner with “lenka” written in script. No capital on the “L”. It’s just about to hit 9PM and there’s wifi and so why not start the review while I’m still here, right?

The crowd’s buzzing. Talking about school. Talking about other things. People buying drinks. Everyone’s kinda chill. More so than the other shows I’ve attended. I wonder who else has played down here…

The opening act is tuning her guitar. She didn’t introduce herself yet, but instead started serenading with an old soul kind of voice. She introduces herself to us as Megan Hamilton. If you look at her, you wouldn’t think a voice like hers would come out. There’s a kind of honesty in her singing that I couldn’t tear my ears away from. She said she’s on facebook. I’d like to add her. She says she also has free postcards at the merch table. I’ll be sure to pick one up.

I think I’m gonna put the macbook away for now… Stay tuned for the Lenka write-up when I get back to my cousin’s place later tonight.

So in chimes the opening for “Trouble is A Friend” and in walks this cute, little, brunette Aussie with the voice that could melt your heart and a dress that could knock you out. Every note, a bit of her heart pours out. It’s like this for the entire show. Lenka stands about 5 feet even and though she’s a total shorty, she looks like she could take on the world with her robot pet.

Her robot pet is a little M-Audio Oxygen 8 25 Key MIDI Controller and she plays it like no one’s business. She’s put a few personal touches on it, most obvious is a strap so she can play it standing up. A ribbon hangs from the strap and a heart at the top of the control console. The crowd awwww’s when she pulls it out for the first time. She also plays the keyboard for a few songs, the one I can remember being “Anything I’m Not”.

There were moments during the show where I found myself closing my eyes, getting lost in the music, and expecting myself to wake up in a bus or subway with my headphones on since there was a surreal feeling about being down there with her and the hundred or so people.

Somewhere in between, she tells us that this Toronto show is the first that sold out. “I’ve really made it” she says in celebration. We cheer.

One track that I can’t help but make special note of is the live rendition of “Like A Song” which she sings completely a cappella with the eerie white noise of World War 2 radios. It’s quite haunting and almost scary. Of all the songs, this one brings out the most emotion.

Outside of playing all of the songs on her album and a b-side, she plays a Modest Mouse cover who’s name escapes me but I probably enjoyed her version more than the original. She, then, commemorates her first sold out show with encoring with the Disco Remix of “The Show” which I hope gets a studio recording. It’s pretty intense and quite enjoyable for the last song of the night.

I managed to snag a picture with her and asked for her to sign my ticket. She’s very friendly. She’s also quite hot in the picture. And as usual, when I’m in pictures with celebrities, I end up looking dumb. Oh well.

If I had to sum up the night, I’d have to say that the performance was better than the CD similarly to how Nicole Atkins live is better than her studio recordings.

You can find out more about her from her Official Site at Lenkamusic.com.

Tour of the Americas Flyer

You remember that feeling of being a kid at Christmas? I felt that 2 Saturdays ago while attending this show. The whole feeling of the night was something unforgettable. I actually watched We Will Rock You, the Queen musical, earlier that day which won’t get its own review post but it’s definitely worth a viewing if you can make it to one! A couple of things didn’t happen as they should have but the night was definitely awesome and intense given this is the group that, in my opinon, had the best album of 2005 (with Hold Your Color).

XI on the ones and twos

The show was going on the same night Nuit Blanche was going on in Toronto. I could care less about contemporary art. I don’t have the mental mind state for it. But anyway, I just found out today that the opening act, Mystical Influences, couldn’t make it out. I’ve never heard of him before and I thought it to be odd that they start a Drum & Bass show without a D&B DJ or something. Ah well. Upon further research, I found out that another local DJ made it out that goes by the name XI. He spins grimy DubStep tracks. I wasn’t in the mood for it that night since it was I was expecting D&B but I’m actually listening to his mixes available for download off his MySpace while writing this up. It’s pretty hypnotic. But anyway, I got into Kool Haus half way through his set. Wasn’t feelin’ it but it was good for what it was. It’s pretty fkn awesome now that I’m listening to it while in a mood to listen to it. As expected, there was a decent crowd just camping the stage area waiting for Pendulum to come on. The people I was with at the time wanted to sit in the lounge area so I went with them for a bit but then we decided we’d get in on the crowd action. We managed to sneak into the middle and hung out there for a bit then they left me for one reason or another and I managed to get a spot right up against the front fence. Best place ever.

Kodish's Kit of Doom

So Pendulum gets on at 12 something and I’m just going bananas while they start off with Showdown, off the In Silico album, then directly into Fasten Your Seatbelts, my favourite track off the Hold Your Color album, which was just intense live. That and everyone around you is jumping. I probably crushed some poor person’s toes. Or maybe a few people’s… I dunno. I didn’t care. All the rest of the songs blur from here on out but I was having a hell of a time. I know they did Mutiny and it was awesome. I know they did The Other Side because that was another fun mosh song. It was too bad that there was no Tarantula or Masochist. Either way, I think it was one hell of a show for THEIR FIRST SHOW IN CANADA. wtf.

Post show, you can ask me about what happened if you care. I’d rather not put it up here just in case XD It’s kinda lulzy now that I think about it but… heh.

PENDULUM. LIVE. IS. AWESOME.

Hit them up if you’re into live D&B.

Also, I put up a video of Mutiny on Youtube. See if you can find it before they take it off.

Also, Pendulum’s Official Website. That might come in handy for people who want to know more about them.

I gotta start off by saying HOLY FKN CRAP. I SAW MAXIMUM THE HORMONE.

Now that that’s out of the way…

I took the train downtown because it’s been snowing penguins and polar bears all day. I picked up a friend and met another friend in the subway system and, together, we enjoyed an awesome dinner and some hot sake to warm ourselves up from the trek from the subway station to the venue. We arrived at a small but cozy club and they were, just chilling in a corner prepping.

While the first band in the showcase came on, I decided to go up and ask MTH to sign my CD. The language barrier was a bit of LOLful. I walked up to Nao and I just pulled out the my sharpie and CD and did the mock signature hand wave over the paper and said “Sign, please?” And she asked if I spoke Japanese, I said No :( But then, one of their people came up and said something that sounds like “official” which ended up being “after-the-show” but Daisuke-han came up to me and said “After the show, I promise!” full out english which was awesome. Then Nao high-fived me and said “OK!”

BTW, it’s Canadian Music Week in Toronto which is kinda funny depending on how you look at it. It should be renamed to something like Music Week in Canada since with Canadian Music Week, one could assume all the bands are Canadian which is far from the truth. It was this time last year when I was first introduced The Pipettes via the Toronto Star (one of the city’s most read newspapers) and they’re totally from the UK. *shrug*

So the first band in the Kathedral CMW showcase was this Australian band called Late Nite Access and they were pretty cool. The funniest thing was that everyone was a good 3-4 metres away from the stage as they performed. The second that they finished, everyone moved up. It was pretty clear that everyone was there for MTH. That and looking in the audience, there were enough Asians and even a few DeathNote fanboys/girls in gothy cosplay. Skipping to post MTH, there was practically no one at the stage. Everyone was off getting their stuff signed by the four and taking pics. My friends, who were waiting for me to get my stuff signed, said that the band going after MTH didn’t even do anything since there was no one really paying attention. After I got my stuff signed, we ducked out but I had a good reason: The last train out of Toronto back to eastern suburbia left at 12:15am. MTH’s set ended at 11pm and I still had to get my stuff signed which took a little bit considering everyone else in the venue was trying to get their stuff signed as well. I made it back to the train station a good 15 minutes early and everything turned out great.

Rewind two hours. Everyone rushed up to the stage and I managed to get a front row spot on the right, right in front of Ryokun. I can’t quite remember the whole setlist but they played all the ones I really wanted to hear minus the classic ROLLING1000tOON. I can remember What’s up, people?!, Buiikikaesu!! Zetsubo Billy, Koi no Megalover, and a few songs I recognized but just can’t quite recall. They’re totally fkn awesome live. My words definitely can’t bring put the experience to justice… Just go watch them. Totally high energy. Totally high everything. Everything was perfect.

Post show, the roadies were taking their amps off the stage and one I noticed a pick fell off one of them which my friend picked up. Totally awesome. Except that she got it signed by Ue-chan. Completely awesome. Then she gave it to me. For the win. This all happened while I was off getting pics and my CD signed by Daisuke-han, Nao, and Ryokun who were at the other end of the club. Totally awesome people. Daisuke said “We’ll be back soon!” after he signed my CD and I snapped my pic. When I walked up to Nao, she’s like “OH! YOU! I REMEMBER!!” She asked “Not Japanese?” I said yes. “Uhh, chinese?” I said No and replied with “Filipino.” She said “OHH. So like Japanese then?” I said yes XD. Then I snapped my pic and shook her hand and said arigatou! Ryokun was awesome enough to draw the dude on my CD and I snapped the pic and said arigatou and went on my merry way back to the pals who were around where Ue-chan was. Then I did the signy thing with Ue-chan and snapped the pic and my friend presented me with the pick.

I smiled all the way home. The trek through the snow back to the subway station was nice and warm since all the rocking out got all of us worked up. I’m still all starstruck and in awe of what just happened… Hands down, AWESOME NIGHT.

I can’t say anymore other that I have to leave for work in 2 hours
and I haven’t slept. Damn you, Daylight Savings Time.

UPDATE: What fun would this post be without a little video…?
Koi no Megalover. Visit the youtube page for a short description of the story behind the taping. Sorry for the shakiness. You can’t rock out standing still. It’s just impossible.

UPDATE 2: Other videos are starting to come up including this one filmed from the left side, backstage.
Here’s them doing What’s up, people?! I actually regret not recording this myself but thanks youtube user! I’m visible for most of it in my Raptors (red) 7 Bargnani Jersey with my Black Argyle Hoodie.

UPDATE 3:

Dear Member:
This is to notify you that we have removed or disabled access to the following material as a result of a third-party notification by VAP INC. claiming that this material is infringing

on both videos. The funny thing is that the 2nd video I put on this entry was from the people traveling with MTH probably for a Special Edition or Limited Edition release or whatever and they put it up on youtube and their record label took it down.

Well, I think I should stick to some sort of logical order. The opening band was Toronto’s Magneta Lane which I haven’t heard of before but the friend I went with apparently has but didn’t really know much about them. They were pretty cool except for one thing both my friend and I realized. They didn’t seem too dedicated to their show. They suffered from a few technical issues with their bassist’s pedals and the lead’s guitar strap disconnected mid song but they continued anyway which was good of them. They shrugged it off. But at the very end, the lead had a vocal section where she was just screaming “yeah” on the quarter notes for maybe 8 beats and she looked over at her bassist at shrugged like, “zomg that was pretty blah… whatevs.” It just didn’t seem like they wanted to be there very much. Oh well. They were pretty entertaining none the less. I was there to see Nicole anyway.

AHHH, I KEEP ON FORGETTING TO ASK FOR A PICTURE. But whatev. The show was batshit insane. Ms. Atkins hit every single note spot on – it was an eargasm. I don’t lie. She started off with the title track, Neptune City, and just did everything in between. She did my friend’s and my favourite tracks near the start of the set which made us happy – Maybe Tonight, Carousel, Party’s Over. The arrangement on Together We’re Both Alone was quite interesting and more mellow and laid back. The vocals on The Way It Is was just insane to watch and hear since every single note, belting and everything, sounded exactly spot on and sent chills up and down my spine. The things she can do with her voice. Everything else was just awesome to see live. Everything about that night was perfect. She encored with War Torn and a cover from The Doors that I don’t know because I don’t listen to the Doors but anything Nicole covers will be awesome, which it was. AH. I don’t even know what to say anymore. The whole night was awesome.

Post concert, she and the sea, and the opening band were at the back of the Palace signing and talking to fans etc. I got my CD signed and bought a shirt and FORGOT TO GET A PICTURE but oh well. I hope you come back soon, Nicole! So awesome. AH.

For your enjoyment, here’s Maybe Tonight:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0jZLV1iYTM&rel=1]

My history with the group involves finding out about them 2 days before their first show here in Toronto. I didn’t get to see that. A friend showed me an article in the Toronto Star about Canadian Music Week and they were playing at the Rivoli. Based solely on the picture they had in the paper, I decided to sample some of their music and instantly fell in love. Their catchy tunes and witty lyrics infect your head. Humming and foot-tapping ensues.

This was my second Pipettes show this year. After the Rivoli, the polka dot clad gals returned June 1st which, I believe, was for their first North American single release entitled “Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me”. The November 18th show was for their first North American album release entitled “We Are The Pipettes”.

Now that all the formalities are out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff, shall we?

The ladies are just as fantastic live as they are in studio. The venue’s sound system was better the second time around. The June show’s mic levels were a bit imbalanced. I didn’t manage to get away with a setlist but I remember they opened the November show with “Dance and Boogie” and “Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me” – both of which I love and have a video of at the end of this post. I managed to capture “I Love You” (one of my personal favourites) and “Guess Who Ran Off With The Milkman?” which are also at the bottom of the post. They played a lot of their upbeat songs and stay away from their slower, deeper songs. I really want to hear Gwenno sing “A Winter’s Sky” but I doubt I’ll ever hear it live. I don’t remember them performing “Sex” though something inside tells me they did. I love whenever they perform “Pull Shapes” since it was the first song I heard from them. It has a lot of sentimental value as well as a kick ass dance which everyone can join in with. The ladies “audience-friendly” dancing on stage is entertaining to watch. Their voices so pleasing to the ear. I can’t really say much more than go watch them live if you’re a fan of the genre.

Fortunately, their opening act for the November show was Nicole Atkins and the Sea and she is awesome. She performed a good handful of songs from her album “Neptune City” and a few more. She gave me a button at her merch table and gave me a bunch of stickers. She said she was coming back in February. Expect a review of that.

Bottom Line: AWESOME SHOW LADIES. COME BACK SOON!

“Dance and Boogie” and “Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me”

“I Love You”

“Guess Who Ran Off With The Milkman?”