Though we did not put out a NXNE-themed issue this year, we still took part in their festivities! Here’s editor Jessica’s 2013 festival experience.
While my co-editors were off enjoying more of the fest for other publications (grrr), I still got to see a good handful of interesting acts. I also was able to bring Static to the week in a couple ways!
Throughout the week, we dropped off Issue 7 zines around the central-west end of the city. Did anybody grab one? What do you think?
Anyways, the music!
On Thursday, I went to the May Cafe for the groovy electronic rock band Mesa Mesa (disclosure: a member of the band is a Static contributor / also in a relationship with me). It was upsetting to see that there was no sound tech working there that night, so they had some difficulties at first. But they regained their stride once it was fixed. What’s interesting after seeing them a bunch of times now, is that each time the songs are somewhat different. The band is constantly figuring out new ways to express themselves and get their work out in new ways, so you never really know what it’s going to be like.
Weaves
On Friday, I headed to the BLK BOX first for Weaves. I’ve been interested in checking them out since Rattail is no longer, and Jasmyn Burke is a really cool singer. I wasn’t able to stay for the whole set because they went on a tad late, but the 15 or so minutes I did get to see, I was into. It wasn’t exactly what I expected, I was expecting something a bit funkier for some reason, but I sure was drawn in to the wails of Burke and the guitars.
Buke & Gase
Then I headed over to the Horseshoe for Buke and Gase, one of my newest favourite bands. I love them more and more with each listen. From their really smart lyrics to their DIY instruments to their matching names (Aron and Arone) to their lovable demeanour, I’m pretty smitten. They are still touring this year’s General Dome, an excellent album that will be high on my year-end list. They seemed to have a few sound difficulties setting up and throughout, but they took it like quiet champs. Their music is perfect for when you’re feeling like you’re on an anxiety battleground (and I sure did after trying to bike through the city since it was also Taste of Little Italy aka traffic ridiculousness on a Friday night), letting out those hesitant demons into really satisfying squeals.
WHY?
After they finished, I got stuck while up at the front since it felt like a hoard of people swarmed for the next band, WHY?. I’ve heard the name around for years, and really enjoyed Josiah Wolf’s side project a few years ago, so I decided to stay. From the few songs I have heard, I thought it would be entirely hip-hop, but I was wrong. It was more sing-a-long type hop rock with some rapping here and there. They clearly have a huge fanbase, people were going nuts! It was enjoyable enough but I obviously would have liked it more if I knew their music.
what i could not barely see of the luyas
From there, I headed over to Sneaky Dee’s for The Luyas. I wasn’t optimistic on getting in after last year’s ‘let’s make everyone wait outside in weird lines for over and hour and then they’ll get inside and realize it’s empty’ stunt, but somehow I got in right away and it was pretty packed up there. I keep meaning to check out the Luyas more than the occasional listen, and know I like their sound, so I was glad to at least be there even though I couldn’t see them at all from where I was standing. They’ve got a really interesting sound that’s tailored around the singer’s dreamy high voice and from what I heard, the set was really good. I definitely want to check them out at a proper show the next time they’re here.
we accidentally left this there.wooops.
aviva doodling at our table
view from the table of the indie label market
On Saturday, co-editor Aviva and I tabled for Static Zine at NXNE and Broken Pencil’s small press fair on the Ryerson campus. It was weird returning to my alma mater (I’m still jealous they got to close Gould Street and got all the better food options and a Balzac’s after I graduated). It was a beautiful day and we were sitting with wonderful zine compatriots from the Toronto Zine Library, Clapboard House, The Continuist, Paper Pusher, Papirmasse, Little Brother, Koyama Press and more. We were across from the Indie Label Market, so we were graced to watch Kevin Drew signing records all afternoon. It was a fun experience but maybe not in the best location, so there weren’t a lot of people there. We did get a good number of names on our mailing list (hi, new people! thank you!) though. Looking forward to what can be done with this next year. We were happy to be involved and get out Issue 7 more!
Brazos
everyone sitting on the great hall floor waiting for Villagers
Villagers
At night, I headed over to the Great Hall for Brazos and Villagers. During Brazos, people began sitting on the floor. It was Saturday, the end of the fest, so fuck it. Brazos are really good – pretty music from Brooklyn, so we all sat there in a nice daze. I do kind of have an inkling they’ll get really big with some sort of commercial jingle soon and then they’ll be all over the place and I can’t stand to hear the song anymore, though. Anyways, enjoyable! Unfortunately, right after their set, someone walked right out of the venue with their vintage bass. It does seem quite easy that someone could do that, especially if they have an artist NXNE badge around their neck. More security needed for sure! So because of this, apparently everyone was looking for the bass, which made Ireland’s Villagers start their set at 12:30 instead of 12. We all thought they would only be able to play for a few minutes in the allotted schedule, but they went ahead with their planned set and I’m so glad. It was beautiful, heart-felt and fun. It’s too bad we couldn’t see what would have been a full set since they’re touring for this year’s {Awayland}, but it was still a great taste of their show.
cupcakes on cupcakes
Pat LePoidevin
Sarah Pinder
Patti Cake
Jessica Westhead
Misha Bower
EONS
On Sunday, we had our launch party! Unfortunately, we were scared off by morning rain and dooming forecasts, so we moved the party to The Central, who were very lovely and helpful. (Of course, it ended up being beautiful outside all day, sorry everyone. We learned our lesson.) Pat LePoidevin, Patti Cake and EONS performed wonderful music and Sarah Pinder, Jessica Westhead and Misha Bower read interesting and entertaining stories. We had cupcakes and free zines and lots of great people celebrating with us, so thank you to whoever came!
A lot of bands I mentioned are on the Issue 7 mixtape – so go give’r a download and check them out!
