Passion Pit @ the Phoenix

Heading to the Passion Pit / Ruby Coast / The Grates show at the Phoenix tonight.
The hype surrounding this show has been pretty staggering. Complete with Sneeky Dee's after party DJ set with Real Talk & Huggs, tonight should prove to be an electromagnetic evening. I'll update this post in the following days with a reflection on the performances. I've seen the Ruby Coast numerous times, hung out with them in Ottawa when they were still co-managed by friends and since then they've recieved a lot of acclaim and comparisions to their Northern Toronto breathen Tokyo Police Club & Born Ruffians.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Kool Haus

I've been crazy busy working on my application package for Ryerson (I'm applying for a MA in Media Production) and pushed my updates to the side. But now that I've dropped off my manila envelope of portfolio, statement of intent and various other personal information pages, I'm back to report on the amazingness of Karen O.

Yeah Yeah Yeah's played the Kool Haus on Aug. 4th, supported by Amanda Blank. I skipped Blank's set because I feel there's enough Madonna wannabe's in this world. Dinner on a patio with friends and beer superceed Blank's set 8 out of 7 days a week.
I arrived at the show just in time to run into a couple excited friends, grab a beer and struggle my way through the typical screw-face audience for a prime position about 12 people away from the front of the stage.

The moment Karen O came on stage covered in Middle Eastern-inspired garb, the crowd swelled and I didn't stop moving until about 45mins into the set. I gave up my prime real estate to a younger, shorter audience and hit the back half of the club for a beer and come-down.

The National Post ran a half-decent review here.

Old Tyme Jazz

I filmed Elise LeGrow do two sets of jazz classics at the Bread & Circus in Kensington, Toronto back in June. Only now have I had the chance to slightly edit and post what was captured.
Elise performed two sets; the first accompanied by master jazz guitarist Reg Schwager, and the second featuring a full backing band. The "Good Girl - Bad Girl" performance was absolutely fantastic and I'm glad I had a chance to take it in and share some of it. A second video is coming...stay tuned.