Review: Woodpigeon @ The Casbah, Hamilton, ON

The lineup at the Casbah on Monday was an odd assortment, but in the end had a quirk and an element of beauty. As always at the Casbah, touring bands and their openers are joined by local acts; typically the highlights of the young local talent. On this night, The Dirty Nil and The Social Workers were up opening for Betty Burke and Calgary's Woodpigeon.

Wolfshirt Records' The Dirty Nil unleashed 90's alt. rock with recollections of Nirvana and Catharine Wheel and heed to that decade's Sonic Unyon releases. We walked in to find the trio gathered around one mic, singing with eyes closed and throats wide. Harmonic bridge strumming, heavy beats and heavier bass. Go see.

The Social Workers may find themselves dogged by the long list of material that came across clearly in their set. From Joy Division to Stone Roses, The Doors, Interpol, Sonic Youth, The National, Radiohead, The Strokes, the young lads played a referential but incredibly catchy set including "Tweetie Bird" and "Ambiguity" that the crowd loved. Best song of the set was "Spend Some Time," a synth-hooked brooder. In an 'ain't kidnapping hilarious moment' we were treating to a post-Valentines poem from singer Spence Newell: "Roses are red, Violets are blue, I have a knife, So get in the fucking van."

As a duo, quirky vocalist Maggie MacDonald (nee Hidden Cameras) with Holly Andruchuk on guitar, are Betty Burke. When last I saw MacDonald, it was on stage leading interpretive dancing in a yellow dress: subtract the girlish getup, add more opportunity for vocals, and you find her hands and body language are still linked inextricably to her words. The songs were played simply by Andruchuk and at times lyrically meandered into the melodramatic... like running from the law. They were joined by the Woodpigeon folks to end the set, and it's clear Betty Burke fills out nicely with a full band. However, let it be said, Maggie MacDonald has bar-none the best stage banter of all time. I could listen to that woman fill tuning time for hours... would probably pee.

Woodpigeon glimmered despite the harsh lighting of the Casbah stage. Mark Hamilton's compositions firmly grip the dramatic build; looping whistles, hooks and vocals in soaring fields of vibrating air. Blaze and Glimmer are the most serene rhythm section... locked without even a glance, Kenna is a wonder on keys, Hamilton's vocals flowed over the room, his words cautionary and calm. On my walk from the car to the club I felt something that I love. There's this quirk about cities that I fall for on warmer winter nights. The slightly damp roads seem to luminesce, reflecting the street lights, a damp, coolness to the air, and an unexpectedly beautiful sound like peeling as tires pass adherent through melt-water. Woodpigeon's show was like one of these moments. Something glows about their songs, something leads you to breath deep, and there's beauty in the sound. Woodpigeon is my new soundtrack to thawing nights with lingering regrets, pauses and moments of serene contentment.

- Jay Blackwood*

* This was Show #27 in Jay's Live Music Project. 1 concert a week, 52 in the year before September 2010. Follow the progress at http://livemusicproject.blogspot.com

Woodpigeon Set List:
Piano Pieces for Adult Beginners
Morningside
Such a Lucky Girl
The Saddest Music in the World
The Pesky Druthers
Knock-Knock
Woodpigeon vs. Eagle Owl (Strength In Numbers)
Lay Your Love On Me
Songbook
... And as the Ship Went Down, You'd Never Looked Finer

Links:

http://myspace.com/thedirtynil

http://myspace.com/thesocialworkers

http://myspace.com/bettyburke

http://myspace.com/woodpigeon

Woodpigeon announce 2010 tour dates

According to Boompa Productions, Woodpigeon will be touring in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec in the new year to promote their new record, Die Stadt Muzikanten, which is set for release on January 12. Die Stadt Muzikanten will include a bonus album that was recorded with Howard Bilerman, Steve Albini, and Husky Hoskulds in October at the Banff Indie Band Residency.

Tour dates/locations
Jan 16: Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore Cabaret
Jan 22: Calgary, AB - Broken City
Feb 11: Toronto, ON - The Drake Underground
Feb 12: Guelph, ON - Jimmy Jazz
Feb 13: London, ON - TBA
Feb 15: Hamilton, ON - The Casbah
Feb 16: Sudbury, ON - The Townehouse
Feb 17: Kingston, ON - The Mansion
Feb 18: Montreal, PQ - La Sala Rossa
Feb 19: Quebec City, PQ - Le Cercle
Feb 21: Ottawa, ON - The Blacksheep

Find out more about the album, and get a few free Woodpigeon downloads over on the Boompa Records website.

Banff Indie Band Residency - Bands announced

And it's been confirmed! This October, Basia Bulat, Analog Bell Service, Woodpigeon, and the Witchies are heading to Banff for a two-week residency at The Banff Centre, where they'll be working with Howard Bilerman, Steve Albini, and other expert producers to write, record, and rehearse new work.

Upcoming shows:

Analog Bell Service
24 Sep @ Rifflandia Music Festival (Victoria, BC)
3 Oct @ The Studio (Vancouver, BC)
16 Oct @ Pub 340 (Vancouver, BC)

Basia Bulat
24 Sep @ Rifflandia Festival (Victoria, BC)
3 Oct @ The Blacksheep Inn (Wakefield, QC)

Witchies
3 Oct @ Pop Montreal (Montreal, QC)

Woodpigeon
25 Sep @ Rifflandia Music Festival (Victoria, BC)
26 Sep @ Little Mountain Gallery (Vancouver, BC)
2 Oct @ Pop Montreal (Montreal, QC)