Showing posts with label Dragonette. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dragonette. Show all posts

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Dragonette, Draggin It @ the Nouveau Casino, February 6.08

This is an unfair post but I am going to make it anyway. It is unfair because I was unbelievably exhausted last night before heading all the way across the city to the concert (I had thoughts in the metro of just getting off and going home, maybe even dreams). So already I was not in the best concert-going spirit. I went because there was string-pulling involved to get me a place and I am continuing with this post because I believe fundamentally in the changing power of music: mentally, emotionally and, yes, even physically. How many times have you heard a song and instantly felt better, less ugly, rejuvenated, or prepared to overtake the most difficult of obstacles (it's not a miracle drug, I know, otherwise I imagine musicians would make much more money than most do).

In addition to exhaustion, through the course of researching Dragonette I came across some of the following pictures.....



so I was anticipating something along the lines of Of Montreal costumes and craziness. Apparently, Dragonette is only wacky on paper.

The singer, Martina Sorbara came out with very large hair and very tight black spandex pants (which you could all see if I had not left my memory card in the card reader instead of my camera, like a dolt). She bobbed lightly up and down for a few songs, and occasionally gestured with her hand what she was singing (like making circular washing motions during the first song). Once or twice she looked like she might have wanted to actually get into it and get her 'groove' on, but that thought seemed to pass quickly.

Luckily, the lighting was amazing. Mostly neon coloured lights shot from behind the stage in zigzags, waves, linear and non-linear patterns. Without this element the show would have been pretty dull. Martina showed that she sings well, which is maybe more of a skill than it sounds in these technologically enhanced production days. Her banter was annoying, and not really directed at the audience as much as the other members of the band. And the songs sounded very, very, similar to one another, which was not necessarily my feeling before going and after listening to the album.

In all fairness, fatigue may have been the only reciprocal emotion as the band was playing the last of a very long line of European dates. In the end I left early, i.e. before the concert ended (which I nearly never do). My advice should Dragonette by passing through your town: save some money, stay at home, turn the music up as loud as you can without compromising the musical integrity, and turn on a lava lamp or two.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Ra Ra Remixes: That is to say, Remixes of Ra Ra Riot Songs


Jen and I had been having this ongoing discussion about how we'd been both been feeling like we needed some inspirational music. I mentioned the other day that I really liked the Do, but I definitely wouldn't classify them as inspirational, I think they're probably too experimental to really pick me up.

That said, I think Ra Ra Riot is going to fill that void and really get me through the rest of winter. They even have an inspirational/tragic story about the mysterious death of their drummer. I don't want to compare their music to anyone, especially since I'm going to post remixes of their songs, but I get a kind of poppier Arcade Fire vibe from them sans banging on helmets, shouting through microphones, etc. I just compared them to someone, didn't I? The only shame about this is that Ra Ra Riot only has the one self-titled EP, but if you're jonesing (or rioting?) for more RRR I would check out their Daytrotter session from October 2007 where they perform 2 songs that aren't on their EP.

[mp3] Ra Ra Riot - Each Year [RAC Mix].mp3
[mp3] Ra Ra Riot - Ghost Under Rocks [Andrew Maury Remix].mp3

In other news: I'm going to try and catch Jane Vain & the Dark Matter at the Alex P. Keaton tonight. Also, I think Jen's seeing Dragonette, who I missed when they came to London (Ontario) in November.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Dragonette: not just a girl who looks like Lily Allen/Kylie Minogue

Today I orginally had hoped to chat about one of my favourite hip-hop acts, Little Brother, and the release of their third full length album Get Back, but I came across Dragonette and decided I'd leave LB until tomorrow.


Dragonette, the project of Martina Sorbara (interestingly, daughter of Ontario Finance Minister, Greg Sorbara) and Dan Kurtz, her husband. The band, which also includes Will Stapleton and Joel Stouffer plays a kind of electro-pop that is very reminiscent of Metric, or if you'd prefer, No Doubt-Gwen Stefani meets the Go! Team meets Daft Punk. The whole sordid details of their meeting, the genesis of the band, and a whole pile of videos are available on their myspace page.

They are currently touring across Canada in support of their 2007 release Galore with The Most Serene Republic. Dates in SW Ontario are as follows:

24 Oct 2007 20:00
The Ale House Kingston, Ontario
25 Oct 2007 20:00
Mod Club Toronto, Ontario
26 Oct 2007 20:00
Le Gymnase Montreal, Quebec
27 Oct 2007 20:00
Zaphod Beeblebrox Ottawa, Ontario
1 Nov 2007 20:00
The Casbah Hamilton, Ontario
2 Nov 2007 20:00
University Of Guelph Guelph, Ontario
3 Nov 2007 20:00
Salt Lounge London, Ontario
4 Nov 2007 20:00
Level 3 St. Catherines, Ontario

Tracks:
Dragonette: "I Get Around", "Black Limosine" and "You Please Me"

The Most Serene Republic: "Where Cedar Nouns and Adverbs Walk" "Sherry and Her Butterfly Net" "The Protagonist Suddenly Realizes What He Must Do in the Middle of Downtown Traffic"