On The Beat

Polaris Excels

POLARIS PRIZE: It's not a huge surprise that this recently-instituted Canadian music competition received plenty of press. After all, music critics from across the country chose the nominees, with a smaller group deciding upon the winner. The Polaris Prize honours artistic excellence, rather than just reflecting sales figures or major label priority acts a la The Junos. The quality of the ten finalists confirms that this really is a golden era for Canadian music, as the rest of the world now realizes. The Prize was presented at the end of an industry party at The Phoenix that featured strong performances from five of the nominees, K'NAAN, SARAH HARMER, CADENCE WEAPON, FINAL FANTASY, and MALAJUBE (the one real revelation of the night for On The Beat). Taking home the $20,000 prize (courtesy of Rogers) was Final Fantasy, aka adventurous Toronto violinist/composer OWEN PALLETT. This scribe's vote would have gone to METRIC, but their commercial success was likely held against them, given that critics love to support the underdog. It'd be nice to see the show televised in the future, and one change hoped for next year would be a different host, for the smug JIAN GHOMESHI irritated many. Polaris is a great concept, and congrats to founder STEVE JORDAN for bringing it to fruition.
FIAMMA FUMANA: The impressive SMALL WORLD festival of world music was launched at Lula Lounge by this talented young Italian quartet. The audience was on the small side, but proved appreciative. The group's singer explained that "we try to push traditional Italian music into 2006," and the use of pre-recorded beats would certainly not please the purists. The lineup of pipes, keyboards, accordion, guitar and vocals is an unusual one, and did allow for a sometimes effective fusion of old and new, as on the traditional north Italian tune "Angelina." At other times, however, the backing beats just detracted from the strong clear voices and melodic instrumentation.
GROOVY MONDAYS: Sustaining a regular live music club series in the city for five years is a serious feat, well worthy of celebration. Groovy Mondays is the brainchild of local singer/songwriter/music publicist JENNIFER CLAVEAU (LIKEWATER), and it has featured a rich array of both established and up and coming folk and roots artists. Notable performers showcased have included ARLENE BISHOP, JUSTIN RUTLEDGE, KYP HARNESS, LORI CULLEN, THE BROTHERS COSMOLINE, SERENA RYDER, IAN NORTH and THE SUPERS. Word is the recent fifth anniversary party at its current home, the NOW Lounge, was a fun-filled night. Hearty congrats to Jennifer.
GREAT AUNT IDA: Pianist/singer IDA NILSEN is a key figure on the Vancouver roots scene. Her Great Aunt Ida project has just released a superb second CD, How They Fly (on Northern Electric/Fontana North). Co-produced by TIM VESELY (RHEOSTATICS), with whom Ida collaborates in VIOLET ARCHERS, it features a fine musical supporting cast, but it is Nilsen's poetic skill that really captivates. One of her fans is WATERBOYS leader MIKE SCOTT, and Ida will be on his next record. She plays here at The Press Club (Oct. 4) and Cameron House (Oct. 10).
UPCOMING: Neither band is yet a big name, but an upcoming bill from two American rock bands promises to be a winner, judging from the quality of their new CDs. On Carnavas (Dangerbird/Fontana North), SILVERSUN PICKUPS display an aggressive and adventurous sound at times reminiscent of SMASHING PUMPKINS (same initials too). VIVA VOCE are a Portland-based husband-wife duo (she plays guitar, he drums) who've just released a brilliant third album, Get Yr Blood Sucked Out (on Barsuk). It's psychedelic, sometimes dark, and always challenging. The two play Lee's Palace, Oct. 17.
NEW RELEASES: Masterful pop-culture historian RON MANN is getting rave reviews for his new documentary, Tales Of The Rat Fink. Haven't been able to catch the movie yet, but can certainly recommend the cool soundtrack CD (on Outside) from THE SADIES. They wrote instrumental tunes for the film, and deliver them in typically entertaining and surf-inflected style. In a neat touch, they name the songs after their favourite clubs, including The Horseshoe and The Matador. On the soft pop/adult contemporary side of the strip is Love Is All There Is (on Poplar), from Ontario-based singer/songwriter KATE ASHBY-CRAFT. All the well (ahem) crafted songs explore that eternal theme, love, and there's a refreshing musical diversity here. If dub is your thing, check out Atomic Subsonic (7 Arts), the second album from DUBMATIX. This project is the creation of Toronto's JESSE KING, and he recruits reggae stars FREDDIE McGREGOR and HOWIE SMART to help complement his authentic dub riddims. Fine stuff.

Publication Date: 2006-10-01
Story Location: http://www.tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=6652