Wayback machine

So I feel like I got in a time machine last night and went back to pre hiatus days circa 2005 ish. What an awesome night! Whitey, Kev, Charlie, Brendan, Sammmy, Liam, Lisa, Leslie, Cranley, Julie, John(!!!), Ohad, Jason, JP . . . epic night. The 6 new tracks were hot, they did some old faves: 7/4, Almost, Fire Eye'd, MLD and the elusive New Country (New Country people - haven't heard that live in about 6 years!), plus the oft heard (at recent shows) anthemic Meet Me In the Basement - new album promising to be stellar. With their new tracks they seem to be waving their indie flag pretty furiously, with less "excessive vocal reverb" and "stabby guitar delay" (yes, that was a dig at Pitchfork).

The AoH set was, as always, an adventure - different arrangements keeping everyone guessing, Jason's set with Zeus was hot in his totally cool way, and then there was the Happiness Project and Years. I don't think everyone in the audience quite understood the artistry of Ohad or Charlie as the DMST boys displayed their phenomenal 'art projects'.

The vibe of the evening in general was much like a high school reunion of sorts (espescially since I did actually go to High School with some members of the band) - like a return home after exploring what the big bad world had to offer and realizing that home is so much more magical than you had remembered. I would have liked to have put my life on pause so I could have replayed it over and over again, I'm seriously hoping it wasn't all a dream . . . and that tonight is equally as fantastic. Going to have a nap now cause I'm old and don't do 3:00 am well - espescially not when I have to do it a few nights in a row.

And why would I?

I just had an epiphany as I was telling someone what is in my stereo at home. I have a 5 CD system and there has not been a CD in the stereo that was not an Arts & Crafts artist since Bring Me Your Love occupied tray 5 for a few months back in Spring of last year. It should be noted that I count k-os as an A & C artist (might as well be). So a big thank you to BSS, Feist, Jason Collett, Charles Spearin, Stars, Ohad Benchetrit, DMST, Metric, k-os, Brendan Canning, Kevin Drew, Gentleman Reg, The Stills, Amy Millan, The Constantines and most recently AoH. I have to say - damn proud to be a music fan living in Toronto these days, lots of great Toronto art to be proud of.

I am however going to have to boot out an A & C artist for this in a couple months. But if I consider k-os A & C, I guess these guys are also honourary members so the run continues . . . can we make it 2010?

Happiness is . . .

The best news I've heard in 2009!

Courtesy of Arts & Crafts
"The Happiness Project Live Dates Announced.
Charles Spearin, best known as long-time member of Toronto-based bands Do Make Say Think and Broken Social Scene, will bring The Happiness Project to life, in a select few engagements all in unique and intimate settings in Toronto, Montreal and New York this March.
Performing with Charles for these events will be: Ohad Benchetrit (guitar, sax), Dave Clarke (drums), Julia Seger Scott (harp), Michael Barth (trumpet), Leon Kingstone (sax), Julie Penner (violin) and Tania Gill (piano)."

Smack in the middle of Canadian music week, to be followed by Gentleman Reg and Young Galaxy - so far looking like a good week to be a Torontonian!