Review: Amos the Transparent, The Love Machine @ Rancho Relaxo, Toronto.

I was working steadily on Saturday night, and unsure whether I should even leave the house for some fun, but about 11:30pm I decided it was time for a break. I was at Toronto's Rancho Relaxo by midnight, in time to catch the final two bands on the bill that night: Ottawa's the Love Machine and Amos the Transparent, also from the nation's capital.

The Love Machine played a full, happy set of exuberant, catchy songs. Mostly new ones, they said. I was impressed, and the crowd certainly was, too. Although I'd never seen the band before and hadn't a clue what to expect, I was definitely late to the party. Audience members were singing along to some songs, knew the right hand-claps, and etc. Their music wasn't the most cutting edge pop I've ever heard, but their energy and enthusiasm made it all the better. Great four-part harmonies and a little synth action didn't help either. Good stuff.

The last song was the show-stopper. It ended "This is the way that we scream our hearts out." It's not on the disc I got afterward (their 2007 EP, If You're a Bird, I'm a Bird), and a little internet searching revealed that's it's on their first (self-titled) EP, put out in 2005. I believe the band is currently putting together another album. Something to keep an ear out for.

It'd been several months since I last saw Amos, one of my favourite bands of 2008 that's only gotten stronger since then. By all rights they should be playing much larger venues---and they sometimes do---so I knew I was in for a treat. The first time I saw this band was at Rancho, they are always so much fun in that long, narrow room. Plus, a look at their new website earlier that day informed me that the band had new, red t-shirts! (Embarrassing admission: One time I went to Rancho to see Amos play wearing one of their band t-shirts.)

Things were running really late at Rancho, and if I'd been relying on the subway, I would have had to miss their set, seeing as it started at about quarter after 1am. (Thank you, bicycle.) The band had noticed the late start, too, taking the opportunity to drink perhaps a little more than usual in advance of playing. Lead-man Jonathan Chandler noted as much to us, paraphrasing local blogger Bob Battams. But, so much the better, I say! The band played rousing versions of songs off their albums, 2007's wonderful Everything I've Forgotten to Forget and the 2009 EP, My, What Big Teeth You Have . . . . (I was planning on stealing the set list after the show, but I got distracted [see below]). One of things that sets this band apart from others is that each time they perform, their songs sound just a little different. The changed instrumentation is on purpose, and helps keep things interesting. Although the crowd had thinned a little, there was still a good contingent out, dancing and singing along. The band expects their audiences to know the words to their songs when they play Toronto, and we didn't let them down.

Soon enough, Two Way Monologues' promoter Dan Wolovick and his wife, Terri Coles, were handing out shots of Jägermeister to the band members. But, somehow, there was one left over, and since I was right in front of him, Chandler told me to drink up. (That's him in white; also pictured is Daniel Hay.) Oh boy. So then the set got a little more fun and a bit more sloppy and I had to concentrate more on not losing my balance. Ahem. There were attempts at contests to give away EPs, a rendition (feat. audience participation) of "happy birthday" for Chandler's wife, much hooting and hollering and etc.

I had a blast. I bought a red t-shit---$10!---and tried to sober up a little before heading home. Note: One shot of Jager is apparently one too many.

Download: The Love Machine, "Green Tea and Honey" (If You're a Bird, I'm a Bird, 2007).
Download: The Love Machine, "We Are Squirrels and This Is Nuts (The Family Song)" (The Love Machine, 2005).
Download: Amos the Transparent, "Lemons, aka BigFishLittlePond" (My, What Big Teeth You Have..., 2009).
Download: Amos the Transparent, "Title Track" (Everything I've Forgotten to Forget, 2007).

Amos the Transparent are playing at Ottawa's Capital Music Hall on 27 November, competing for a $250,000 grand prize (the Big Money Shot). They've already won a tidy $25,000, and I, for one, would LOVE for them to take home the "big money." If you're in Ottawa that night, go see them!

Photo credit: Terri Coles.

Skate4Cancer in Ottawa

It was a very cold Sunday evening down at Confederation Park.
The free all ages event was called Skate4Cancer, where it was organized by Rob Dyer.
To bring awareness about cancer and how it has affected in people's lives.
Also there was music and playing there was:
Steve St.Pierre (who usually plays in the band Anchors)
The Love Machine
Brighter Brightest
Photo of Rob Dyer.


First up was Steve and he sang some of his solo.
It was a nice settling with him and his guitar.
He sang a cover of MGMT's Kids which was amazing to listen to.

After him was the Love Machine.
I never got to hear them live acoustically.
They were amazing doing it without the electric instruments and drums.
Shows that they can really belt out their own tunes acoustically.
Sang Squirrels, Love Is On Your Side, Amos the Transparent cover and a new song.
Great performance.

Finally it was the Brighter Brightest from Aurora.
It was only two members that played acoustically.
Sang mostly from their EP.
They were great live with just their guitars.
If they come back to Ottawa, I would like to see the whole band play live.


Overall it was nice intimate and cold event in the park.

Ottawa Bands Vie for Big Money

I'm not a big fan of commercial radio, restricting my listening habits to CBC 1, 2 & 3 and of course CKCU, the Mighty 93.1 FM (disclaimer: I have a show there on Thursday mornings....). BUT....Ottawa's Live 88.5 has done a great job promoting local talent via their Big Money Shot contest, a major initiative to develop local talent through judging live shows and rewarding bands. Ultimately the winner can earn upwards to $250K to develop their career.

The contest is underway for 2009 as well, with the first four bands scheduled to appear this Friday, May 8th at the Live Lounge in Ottawa. I'm very excited to see two local bands I've been following on this first bill.

Arms of the Girl appeared on my show, the Thursday Morning Special Blend, last December. Born in the winter of 2006, the band combines musical interests ranging from country to metal. The result? Not chaos, but musical fusion. In March 2008, the band released their debut cd, Recipe for Living, which represented a shift in focus for the band and a determination to cultivate a more professional, polished image and sound. Arms of the Girl perform poppy, catchy tunes, all anchored by a sunny guitar sound with lilting vocals.

The second band of interest to me is The Love Machine. This band has legs - to dance with and to move on with. In their own promo info:

Their eponymous debut EP, released a year after the band’s formation, established their sound with definition. Jangly yet intense guitars, huge synth melodies, pulsing bass, stomping drums, and more vocal harmonies than should be legally allowed compose their energetic pop sound. Each piece of the sound is equally important in the songwriting, as the band writes without a primary songwriter. This collective approach to writing, along with the fact that every member in the band contributes vocals, makes The Love Machine’s sound an extremely unique and fresh one in the crowded pop scene.

I caught them opening for Metric at last year's Ottawa Bluesfest, and they were awesome. Crowd pleasers for sure, but fantastic performers and excellent musicians as well.

Check out Arms of the Girl and the Love Machine this Friday at the Big Money Shot here in Ottawa, along with Transit 14 and Hearts in Stereo.

Support Live Local Music!

Anchors/Fire Heats Water/Spookey Ruben/ The Love Machine

On April 16th in Ottawa's Mavericks.
I attended a show and four bands played.
Three were from Ottawa and one from Toronto.

• Anchors(Ottawa)


• Fire Heats Water(Ottawa)


• Spooky Ruben(Toronto)


• The Love Machine(Ottawa)

It was a night of fun music in Ottawa.
Here are photos to show it.

Anchors was the first act.
Their music is indie folk country rock.
It was their first time to play live in front of people


Fire Heats Water
Music indie alternative.


Spookey Ruben


The Love Machine