Laura Peek and Brent Randall and his Pinecones at Raw Sugar Cafe, 16/04/10

Took myself out on a whim to what I thought might have been some sort of Just Friends Records party, knowing nothing about the bands playing (every time I'm at the radio station I look up at a poster of theirs and think that all the bands look like such fun. That's effective advertising for you!). It was totes cute but I seemed to be one of about 4 paying punters which is a bit unfortunate, although Raw Sugar was the perfect spot for it, tea and crochet flowers (handmade by Ms. Peek, I bought one, it's loverly) and spectacles and books (and books falling off shelves as literature jokes were cracked. How's that for timing) and fun magnet words in the bathrooms that make you want to stay in there for 6 minutes coming up with several witty and/or twee sentences. 'Cos that's the kind of place Raw Sugar Cafe is and that's the kind of music that you feel like when you go there to stick your nose in a book. These photos are kind of shitty, but y'know. They're here anyway.






http://www.myspace.com/laurapeek
http://www.myspace.com/brentrandall

The Silver Birch Society, Flotilla and Boats at Raw Sugar Cafe, 14/03/10

Or 03/14/10 so it makes more sense as π [Pi] day (!) and as I am in North America...
The Silver Birch Society were absolutely charming and for me, the best of the evening even though I think they're a relatively new outfit. If my memory isn't to fail me (I was severely underslept), at the best of times they ventured into eerie folk-ish territory, all empty landscapes and branches rustling in the wind. I enjoyed it the most when they were both on guitar, subtle loving glances thrown to each other. Go see them next time they play! Wasn't interested by sounds being made by Flotilla at all, they are without a doubt all very talented (except maybe the drummer. Goodness I am awful.) but I felt like it should have been hushed and intimate and then it would have worked, instead it was all too loud and over the top (for my tastes anyway). They call themselves Indie/Classical/IDM though so I guess they're going for something else entirely and I missed it. I did enjoy Boats somewhat though, even though I'd never listen to them at home because the guy's voice is really grating. It was sit-around-a-campfire-and-sing music, (which worked well to pull me out of my half-slumber state at least), they seemed to be really enjoying it too which is always nice to see. I don't really have much of an opinion on them. End.












http://www.myspace.com/thesilverbirchsociety
http://www.myspace.com/flotillamontreal
http://www.myspace.com/boatthemusicband