Lullabye Arkestra live at The Biltmore, Vancouver, BC

with Pierced Arrows, April 3rd, 2010

written by Heather Snowball

“Bring ear plugs” was the advice given by Justin Small, the drummer of the two-person bass and drum band called Lullabye Arkestra. Justin Small and his wife, who is also the bassist, Kat Taylor-Small gave this tip and it did not take long to discover why. Lullabye opened for Pierced Arrows at the Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver on April 3rd. The bands have been touring together for the past four months and they gave the fans a solid show.

Anticipation and excitement grew while the audience waited for Lullabye to take the stage. Arkestra performed like true rock n’ rollers and it was not long before the crowd was rocking out to the music. Between Justin’s fervent drumbeats and Kat’s exceptional bass playing, the audience was nothing short of captured.

Lullabye’s love and appreciation for music becomes obvious in the way they play. Their attitude is easy to see when they are performing and it is a mindset quickly mimicked by the fans. If vocals that make you want a lozenge and music that makes you want to rock out is your style, Lullabye Arkestra is a band to check out.

Pierced Arrows, the headliner, was a great follow-up. With a more classic rock and roll sound than Lullabye, Pierced Arrows displayed their musical finesse and stage presence at the Biltmore. Pierced Arrows have been performing for over forty years and the expertise and charisma exhibited demands respect. The crowd adored the music and the energy that grew during Lullabye’s set continued throughout the Pierced Arrows performance.

The night finished on a high when Lullabye joined Pierced Arrows onstage and two drum sets, two basses, and one electric guitar jammed together to create a new dynamic sound that the crowd loved. Leaving with these rocking songs in their heads and their eardrums a little more damaged, the audience was not disappointed.

I got to learn more about the chemistry that developed between Lullabye Arkestra and Pierced Arrows during their tour and also about Lullabye Arkestra’s love affair with music when I sat down with them before their show at Vancouver’s Biltmore Cabaret.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Citizen Cope photographs live @ The Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC – March 30th, 2010

photographed by Joshua Grafstein

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Popularity: unranked [?]

Chromeo at the Cultural Olympiad, Vancouver, BC February 20th, 2010

Photographed by Joshua Grafsetin

Popularity: unranked [?]

Eyedea and Abilities, live at The Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, BC

written by Heather Snowball

On the corner of Kingsway and 12th people gathered at the Biltmore Cabaret to watch what some describe as a “tormented artist.” Eyedea and Abilities show was a display of genuine art and raw emotion. The themes of many songs were often linked to suffering and the human condition though it was contrasted with other lighthearted elements. It began at 10:00pm with the openers.

With an impressive instrument set-up Dosh, the opening act, set the mood for the evening. Ranging from simple 2-step drumbeats to elaborate pieces mixing an assortment of sounds and beats, the one-man-show that is Dosh impressed the audience. Sometimes the music did not seem to follow any recognizable beat but Dosh still managed to entertain well and was later invited back on stage with Eyedea and Abilities.

Eyedea and Abilities brought out a modest crowd. The people there, however, were some of the most invested fans. Conversation hummed at tables and out front as people chatted about their excitement and about how long they have been following the band.

As the night progressed from the opening acts onward, so the anticipation kept increasing. Many fans knew all the lyrics and swayed with the beat. Eyedea, the lyricist and freestyler, displayed his handle over the crowd. When fans got too demanding he jokingly “ssh’d” the audience and reminded them who the star of the show was.

Eyedea maintained his banter with the crowd throughout the night. He transitioned between songs with anecdotes from his past. He also took the opportunity to display one of his most praised talents – his ability to freestyle.

Eyedea was clearly at home on stage. Crowds pushed closer and closer while some fans sat on stage during the night. He just stepped over them and continued to impress.

Abilities got an equally boisterous response from the fans as he was given centre stage to show his intricate turntable work. His skill was undeniable and this was reflected in excitement amongst the crowd.

As the evening winded down and Eyedea and Abilities finished their set the people still wanted more. They chanted “A & E” until the duo took the stage again to perform an encore. The two played a few more songs bringing Dosh, the opening act, back on stage to bring the night to its finale.

The fans left satisfied with the show. It won’t be surprising if Eyedea and Abilities continue to gain recognition because of their stage presence and their raw talent.

Popularity: unranked [?]

HEALTH photos live at The Bilmore Cabaret, Vancouver

photographed by Joshua Grafstein

Popularity: unranked [?]

HEALTH live in Vancouver at The Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, BC February 4th 2010

written by Caley Dimmock, photographed by Joshua Grafstein

Holy shit, what a show. Health – the four piece experimental noise-rock group out of LA exceeded my expectations last night at The Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver; although I didn’t have time to build expectations considering I only checked out their myspace hours before the show.

I was relieved that I got more than my twenty-two dollars worth of entertainment for the evening.

I love to be able to say that what I heard live was more impressive than what I heard on myspace. Their recordings are pretty rad (yes, as in radical) regardless, but their show had me in awe. Maybe the alcohol had something to do with it, I’m not sure.

Drums absolutely drove the sound, and having been previously described as “borderline insane”, I couldn’t agree more. The single part of their performance that was subdued were the vocals. Had they not been, I think my ears may have exploded. Thank god they were mellow, because I’m sure nobody would want to clean up that mess.

The correlation between what I heard and what I saw was perfection. By the end of the show I think I may have even developed a bit of a crush on John, who was doing his thing center stage. I was feeling just a little stoked on the hug I got after the set.

On a final note, two things that make HEALTH even better: They work their own merch booth, and the drummer’s initials are BJ…and they enforce it.

More photos of the HEALTH Vancouver show

Popularity: unranked [?]

The Red Room club, Vancouver, B.C.

It’s not often that we take the time to take issue with a venue, but last night for the Swollen Members show, we experienced our fair share of bullshit and manhandling. Our photographer, a small 110lb woman, while in the middle of taking press photos was forcibly grabbed and completely removed from the venue. The beefy, 350lb security guard in charge of doing this was extremely aggressive towards her – a woman who was neither posing a threat, fighting or struggling, but trying to express to him that she was attending the show under the pretense of taking photos for an approved and requested review.

What this was to prove, or who this showed an example to is beyond me. No idiot in the audience that was hellbent on causing a problem or a ruckus would have been disuaded to fight due to a small girl being removed. Plus, the fact that she wasn’t physically fighting him, but solely trying to speak with him was a reason for him to lose his temper and physically force her out of the club, damaging her clothing in the process.

Upon bringing this up with the club’s head of security that same night, and the management, we were met with excuses and claims of “That didn’t happen.” With “16 cameras” as we were told that were videotaping it, apparently it still didn’t happen. So to the people who run The Red Room, if you wish to refute the fact the she struggled while being forced, that she didn’t endlessly try to talk to the guy and she wasn’t forcibly pushed, please, show us the footage. But from what we experienced, the truth is that a show review that was otherwise going to go well, turned into a review of the club and the physically aggressive security picking on the wrong woman instead of the moshing, drunk and angered men who were intent on causing fights and actually making a problem for the club and it’s patrons.

Popularity: unranked [?]