A hot sweaty mess…

You Say Party! We Say Die!

wsg Think About Life / Thesis Sahib

The Black Shire Pub - 11/11/09

presented by Open House Arts Collective

Thesis Sahib | While I am not the world's biggest fan of hip hop, oddly enough, acts that resonate the most with me – like the rest of my musical diet – happen to be Canadian. No where is this more prevalent than in hip hop. I feel as Canadians, our geography and way of life give us something unique that I can relate to.

Thesis Sahib has been kickin' it in London for quite some time, both with a spray can and a microphone as a multi faceted artist. But his skills with the microphone have drawn the attention of the likes Buck 65 which in Canada is in effect an anointment. He opened the night with a short set his rapid fire delivery, coupled with beats and loops far from the familiar bass thump-thump-thump formula left mouths wide open. In fact, one of his songs uses samples from Lord of The Rings, which he proudly mocked himself for.

Think About Life | I will admit that Montreal's Think About Life had received a lot of hype before I ever got off the fence pole. But, when even Torquil Campbell of Stars is preaching their praises, it sure makes one want drink the Kool-Aid. They have that infectiously great track Johanna that's been getting some time on CBC Radio 3, but it wasn't until they blasted into their live set, that I immediately understood what all the hullabaloo was about.

Introducing themselves (tongue firmly in cheek) as Hootie and the Blowfish, it was obvious that the jam packed, and equally humid club knew exactly what they were about to receive. The second floor of the Black Shire Club felt more like a trampoline under the weighty dance party that began from note number one. At one point, about halfway through the set, singer Martin Cesar said, "I'm sorry but this isn't going to stop", and that about summed up the show. From start to finish, every last bit of energy that could be wrenched into keeping the butts moving in the crowd was used. Even Becky Ninkovic of You Say Party! We Say Die! was front and center in the dancing mob by the end of the show.

You Say Party! We Say Die! | It didn't take long for You Say Party! We Say Die! to raise international awareness from their humble beginnings in Abbotsford BC basements, five years ago. Since then they've released four critically acclaimed albums and toured relentlessly honing their live act. So much so, that almost a year ago, it got the better of them, and the band looked to be in peril of becoming the next promising act disappearing from our radar. But they found a way to reinvent themselves, not only as a band, but also as the people that came together to make it unique.

And sometimes you need to break something in order to make it new again – to make it exciting. And that is just what they did with fourth release XXXX that they are touring. As a group, you can see the influence of their incessant touring on their insanely tight delivery. Five people on stage can be somewhat tricky to get into sync on a nightly basis in a band, but I get a sense that for this fluid, cohesive and energetic flock, this is never an issue.

They soared through a set that included old favourites, but spent most of the night on the new album which – to a song – represents the graduation of a band that has found the zone and riding it for all it's worth. Dark, moody but remarkably upbeat, their music is like a love note, reflecting to the uncertainty of life with the wisdom and perspective of time. Laura Palmer's Prom, Dark Days and There is XXXX cemented that they've hit the ground running on this tour, and are ready to take hearts and dance floors by storm.

What a show…

For as reserved as London can be, every now and again a show comes to town that picks us up, turns us on our collective sides, and gives a show we won't forget. A show that has the likes of Think About Life and You Say Party! We Say Die! billed in the same intimate venue won't ever happen again. Those that were there last night know just the sort of treat they got. It was one of those rare nights where the band and crowd completely gave and received equally.