2/9/11 - Ashelin @ The Levee for The Measure

The Measure is a show hosted on a weekly basis at The Levee (Holdsworth Court) by Dave Walsh, solo acoustic and The Worst Kind.
http://www.theworstkind.ca/
I have yet to hear the full band play live, however I am a big fan of Dave's acoustic style, and he is a very genuinly nice person. He always has a smile on his face, and it's hard to be in a rotten mood if he is around. I feel like going to The Levee just for the good people there and the great atmosphere. It is cozy with art and memoribilia covered walls. And they light candles. And India beer 3 for five bucks until one!! Cant complain at all.
I hadn't yet seen Ashelin perform since their name change (previously the Palmer Girls.) These five sisters have great harmony and unity, and they are from the same small town as I am, I am pretty certain I know like 3 of the members. Anywho, they were very diverse, I would catgorize them as Irish Folk with a cool contemporary / pop twist. They were a full five piece band consisting of two acoustic guitars, bass, violin, bass and one of them switched between various percussion instruments. They had such a full and harmonious sound, also very talented singers. I havent seen a band this in sync and delightful to watch. They all seem like such beauitful people and they have the rare quaility to produce tears. Well for me anyway. I just thought of what a beautiful family they are and how I cant wait to have my own haha. My favorite song was Dead End Road, a song sung about the small town of Foxtrap and consequently a road I know very well that I lived on during my high school years. That song hit home! I am going to Fred's as soon as I have some money to get the CD. I will actually listen to the on my own time, and I am pretty picky. The quality of their charachters nade it even better for me. The tookt he time to talk to the audience during and after the show. Just generally great, what else can I say? They are also playing at The Ship on Feb 25th, sure to be a block er down. Not to be missed!!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=187100184652348
http://www.ashelin.ca/
I also had the opportuinity to see Joanna Barker. I think she is fairly new to the scene as I havent yet heard her name or seen her play. I was very impressed with her presentation, as well as rhythmic jazzy guitar style. I also really loved her vocals - think of a more composed Kimya Dawson or an edgy version of Colbie Calliat. She was very enjoyable to listen to, espeically considering the atmosphere of the bar, she just seems to go well with candles and chilling out. I loved how she told back stories to the songs. I really felt like I knew her just be listening to her set. It takes a really good and unique musician to bear themselves to the world in that manner. She pulled off a flawless set and I was very pleased ot meet her after the show.
http://www.myspace.com/joannabarkermusic

	Pictures to come soon.

So thats about it for now folks, I am still trying to finish writing that novel. I am off to CBTG's tonight for Davey's birthday zombie show thing, and the Rose and Thistle on Saturday. Then back to work on Monday :( . But at least I got a blog to entertain myself on the cold winter days.
Now, read my poetry. Fucking losers.
Peace and love,
Les.

I got a review apparently :)

You can read it here:

http://therollingkings.com/2011/02/04/them-apples/

Just made my day. Its a review of my review that ends up being a review of my music. Thanks bys! I appreciate it.
Wanted to give you all an update - winter is ruining my life and I find it hard to get out when I want to - the red wine and pajamas are just way too enticing. But I will try to update this shit as much as possible.
I am also working on my first full length novel! It should be finis in the next few months and hopefully someone will want to publish it. We shall see.
Please, if you got the winter blues, take a few minutes and read my poetry, which is categorized by the links on your left!
Any and all feedback is so very appreciated.
I love you all!
PS - good mood caused by Vitamin D tablets and general life contentment
-Les :)

A Jesse Walker Experience - Feb 4/11

So for those of you who missed Jesse's latest artistic performance/ installation at Victoria Park, I feel very sorrowful for you. Jesse had managed to light fire inside of cylindrical, star and globe shaped ice formations. Using various chemicals he created a spectacular fire show. There was a collective hush as we all watched the elements both work with and against each other. It was truly an amazing moment for me, Im sure everyone who was lucky enough to see it came away with something. I myself spent the night contemplating human nature and making some big extreme art ideas of my own. I feel very lucky that I was in attendance.
I first met Jesse a few months ago when I moved to St John's after a music tour that took me to Ontario and back. He is a great cat that I am always happy to run in to and say hi. Jesse is one of those rare people that is a genuinely good person and easy to get along with. Being energy oriented as I am a good vibe is important to me.
I had the opportunity to discuss the installation with Jesse over a bowl of soup afterwards. Jesse had been worked with the Lantern Festival in Victioria Park from 2001-2004, and his idea stemmed from some work he did with a fire artist./ pyrotechnic or whatever the fuck you call it, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He had been planning to complete this project last year, but it was of course weather dependant as the ice needed adequate temperatue to freeze, and it just worked out for this time of year.
He is a wicked artist on the rise and I would definitly keep my eye on this guy. He recently had a painting hung at Bar None in St John's (previously The Spur alley) so if you enjoy cheap drinks and a good time in a chilled place please spend at least twenty minutes viewing the piece and simultaneously contemplating what it means to you. That is your job after all - not the artists. And I am sure whether or not the intention of the installation was understood, everyone came away with something different, and that of course is the beauty of his art.
I am not going to repost the pictures as my fiance added a slideshow on his site! Here yah go.
http://nwf.tumblr.com/
And of course, check out Jesse`s site.
http://www.jwalkersite.com/
Well I am chilling tonight at Coffee and Co, the whole thing made me pretty speechless the whole night. It was a moment of great beauty. However for right now I drank too much coffee and am starting too many sentences with prespositions, so I am going to stop writing.
If the universe loves me at all it will bring me a glass of red wine sometime this evening.
Man, that was fucking sweeeeeeet.
It takes alot to impress me.
I am damn impressed.
Ok, well I am out for now. I missed The Idlers last night and I sure hope you didn`t.
Have a great night, and when in doubt, just look at some art. Preferably some J Walker FuckTrees.
Such an artists name...I wonder if he changed it or he was born that way. Either way, sick as a slick dick.
Ok peace and love, before I say anything innapropriate.
Laterrr!

Always a fan of Distortion Thursdays

Yes, even if I only usually happen to go if I am playing, however as I said before I damn love that place. Good lineup as well, a good friend of mine, Mike Cake hooked me up with my very first show (and we all know how well that had been going since) and is contiunally doing me favors, so thank him for my presence!
Mike Cake
http://www.myspace.com/mikecake
Great acoustic rythym, deep poetic lyrics and a pretty Nirvanaesque but more upbeat throaty and raspy singing style (while also maintaining a perfect pitch.) You haven't lived until you have seen his cover of White Wedding. After about a year of being a big fan of his I know pretty much all his lyrics. Be sure to check out Black Xmas - one of my favorite songs ever.
Thom Coombs - Also an old buddy from the high school days, no doubt a sick mucisian. Thom is the kind of guy that had a sitar when he was sixteen - just amazing at all aspects of music, instruments, singing, among many other things. Unfortuantely I missed his set, I was late getting ready that night, but I think everyone can collectively agree that Thom deserves much praise for his work. The glasses and nice hair also helps.
http://www.myspace.com/thomandthetomcats
Blaine West, always plays with such heart and fucking raw attitude, pulling off some intense solo shit on acoustic. When you are really loving that stage, it is so easy to tell. Some people just bore the hell out of me. And Blaine is one of the nicest and coolest people I have met in recent months, and props to the guy for taking photos and videos for everyone! Karma is coming his way for sure, and make sure to check out his copius YouTube channel as well.

Catmanduah - Sick! Wicked rythmn, they brought a good crowd, however I was nice and drunk by the time they placed so I had a few Indie dances (went well with my India beer.) With leading man Danny Keating, they incorporated a sick as fuck drumming style with what I recall as being very put together and not quite screaming not quite singing vocals. Well the whole thing just worked. They have a large fan base, but check them the fuck out! The bass player seemed like a dandy cat as well...I honestly dont know that much about music, I really just write these things for something to do. I am unemployed and I dont have a lot of friends.
http://www.myspace.com/catmanduah

RN Wagner - well I am marrying the damn man on August sixth, I am not really going to say anything bad about him.

http://myspace.com/anorphansinventorynl

http://anorphansinventory.blogspot.com/

And I played too (by then everyone had left). I drank many beer and had a wicked time. I was just kidding about everyone leaving. I just use self deprication as a humor tactic.

Well, I must catch up on my reviews, I seen so much shit the last few days and forgot to take notes if I dont compile it within the next few hours my brain will forget.

PS I am almost done writing my frist novel.

Peace and love

as always

Les.

Leslie Butt @ Distortion 1/27

Here is a video of my peformance. Thanks to the seven people that showed up. I had a great time ! You bys missed out. Well I am always telling you what I think of your shit so here is mine.\
Got some reviews coming up in the next few days for all the awesome performances I have seen over the last few days so keep checking back!
This is an original song called Mon Kilo!

The Rolling Kings Jan 21/10 F yeah!

Man what a fucking time I had tonight! I know I usually say those words...but really, if I am in bar and feel like I am hanging out in one of the by's shed, you know it was goddamn wicked.
They pumped out all the solid Newfie and Irish tunes. With much conviction and energy, and a good fucking vibe. I just love when you can feel like you can hang out with the band members and have a dandy ol time. They did all the classics and a few originals and I found myself dancing...by myself sadly enough. However I feel the four glasses of red wine I consumed justified being able to dance partnerless.
With an acoustic guitar, madolin, bass, tin whistle and bodhran I was just in Newfie heaven. And for someone who spent a sad and depressing time living in BC this was just siiiiiiiiick to the ick.
When I requested "Days Gone By" by the Navigators and continued to explain the chord progression I actually ended up singing the song for the band while they played a song they apprently didn't previously know. Wow....can't believe I did that. Must have been the drinks...video to follow, I promise. Anything to embarrass myself in public! I just suggest NOT missing this band the next time they play. Self proclaimed to be more enjoyable after consuming whiskey. Dies for The Rolling Kings. They got a solid fan on the go now!
Back to my roots now...just wish I had an India to follow up on the awesome night :)
Drunken blogging, all the better.
Here are some links!
http://therollingkings.com/

And please, if you read my blog on a somewhat regular basis, come out to support my music at Distortion on Thursday January 27th. I am playing an hour set you don't wanna miss! I have been sticking to all originals lately, and I am really hoping to gain some good solid fans. I will appreciate your appearance!
But I got nothing on these Newfie homebys!
Sweeeeeet.
Peace and love,
Les.

Smokestack Lightning @ The Rose Jan 15th !

Well I had an amazing time...theres just something about middle aged musicians rocking out that does it for me. They did mostly covers, but as any good critic will say, if you make it your own than it can be wicked wicked -  and that they did and more. My only concern was the show started a bit late, not until 12, however these things happen and it was well worth the wait.
They opened the night with Gotta Serve Somebody - anyone who can do Dylan that good has my instant respect. Solid musicians, good solos, reminicinse of Pink Floyd for the guitar style, and awesome vocalist. Always on key, but with wicked projection and raspiness. Such a good energy and just a generally enjoyable night. Very talented drummer who had some cool tricks up his sleeve with an extra open snare.
The crowds started to turn up once they were being projected on to Water Street. I would actually book them for my wedding.
Once Terry Stone (Rio Samaya, 2nd asst direction on Republic of Doyle) showed up with his sax and larnyx things took on a whole different level of amazingness. Such fucking wicked unity, this band causes those moments in life where everything is fleetingly perfect in life. That squealing sax takes some mad technique to sound that fucking A. At one point Terry was climing the poles, standing dangerously on high sufaces while still singing and/or playing, he really just brought things to a whole new level of intensity.
The band had that rare ability to be both enjoyable yet still could poke fun of themselves if they fucked up and interact with the audience.
Great Great time.Wish I had some better adjectives today but I am very tired and preparing for an event I helping to throw down tonight for The War Resisters Support Campaign. I may just go out again later so there will probably be a new review tomorrow.
Check out this sick link I found ... http://thetequilarockingbirds.com/nfbandpage.htm
Well until next time, much love.
I need fucking caffeine.
Bye!