While it’s certainly unfortunate that visa issues forced Aereogramme to bow out of the first leg of their tour with The Twilight Sad and A Northern Chorus, it has to be said that based on Friday night’s show at the El Mocambo, the dynamic with just the two tourmates worked really well – I don’t know that I would have wanted another act to follow the de facto headliners in The Twilight Sad.

There were still three bands on the bill, as The Rest from Hamilton/Burlington (or somewhere thereabouts) were brought in at the last minute as pinch hit openers. They were an interesting outfit, seven members strong and each traveling with an arsenal of gear making the stage look like a musical instrument rummage sale (of really nice gear, mind you). And they used every piece of it in executing their rather expansive prog-pop pieces. The musicianship and song orchestrations were impressive – arranging four guitars such that no one is redundant is no mean feat – but Adam Bentley’s Alec Ounsworth-aping vocals planted them into the “not my thing” department. If he gets that under control I’d be interested to hear what else they can do.

A Northern Chorus’ latest album The Millions Too Many was a bit of a revelation in how good the band could sound with drier production and without the aural soft focus lens that had defined their sound till now. The same can also be said for their live show – there was a lean, upfront quality to the performance that I really enjoyed. Hearing them with both string players was also a treat (last time, two years ago, they were cello-less) – ANC are typically classed as dream-pop or shoegaze or what have you, but there’s an orchestral and even folk/country-ish angle to their sound that sounds new to me but I suspect has always been there. It’s always nice to have a band you thought you had pegged turn around and surprise you, and in the positive sense.

I couldn’t help comparing the stage setup for The Twilight Sad and that for The Rest – whereas the latter’s gear was practically falling off the stage, the headliners’ setup was as austere as a four-piece could get. One guitar, one bass, one amp for each, a few pedals, drum kit and a microphone for the singer. But even so, they were able to make one enormous sound – coming after A Northern Chorus’ glistening set, The Twilight Sad were like storm clouds gathering and then unleashing a steady, sustained thunderclap. Some bands excel at creating musical tension, The Twilight Sad are all about that moment where musical tension becomes release. You might think that could get repetitive over the course of a set, but just as their record Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters somehow remains engaging start to finish, so did their live show. Frontman James Graham has a curious but compelling onstage charisma as he communes with his microphone, seemingly oblivious to the audience and as I said before, his Scottish accent is simply marvelous and perfectly suited for their melancholic anthems. Everything sounds 50% more despairing in a Scottish brogue. The only misstep of the night was with the set closer of “I’m Taking The Train Home” – they were sadly out of synch and I’m convinced that the volume levels finally took their toll and the band were no longer capable of hearing each other. But on the plus side, they probably didn’t even know it and that made for a fittingly ragged finale to a wholly impressive show. If I were Aereogramme, I’d be very wary of having to follow this band.

Marathonpacks is all agog about The Twilight Sad and Hour talked briefly to the band, who have a few remaining tour dates out west. Catch them if you get a chance, and bring earplugs. Two pairs.

Photos: The Twilight Sad, A Northern Chorus, The Rest @ The El Mocambo – April 6, 2007
MP3: The Twilight Sad – “Cold Days from the Birdhouse”
MP3: The Twilight Sad – “That Summer, At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy”
MP3: The Twilight Sad – “And She Would Darken The Memory”
MP3: A Northern Chorus – “The Millions Too Many”
MP3: The Rest – “Memories Like Photographs (An Icelandiguese Fable)”
MP3: The Rest – “Innocent Fools”
MySpace: A Northern Chorus
MySpace: The Rest

The Scotsman profiles Scotswoman Tracyanne Campbell of Scotsband Camera Obscura.

Filter features Fields.

It’s probably the furthest thing from sensible to plan on seeing Loney, Dear at Lee’s Palace on June 3 the day after I get back from two weeks in Europe, but you know what? I’m planning on it anyways. Hook me up to a caffeine IV, I’m good to go. Check out all tour dates here and take my word for it – they’re marvelous live.

Fantastic news – Low has been chosen to open all the dates on Wilco’s upcoming North American tour including the June 30 finale at Massey Hall in Toronto.

Sad news – The Drive-By Truckers have confirmed that Jason Isbell has officially left the band to pursue his solo career. Isbell followed up a terse post on his MySpace blog with a more diplomatic one, saying that the post from Patterson Hood on the DBT MySpace blog says everything that needs to be said, though it certainly sounds more like a push than a jump from Isbell’s POV. Disappointing for sure, especially since his songs have been my favourites on the last couple Truckers records. But in hindsight, it’s amazing that three such strong songwriting talents were able to co-exist for as long as they did. Interesting to see how the next Truckers record, being recorded this Summer with original guitarist John Neff back in the fold, sounds without Isbell’s contributions. For his part, he’s living the solo artist life on the road with Son Volt and stopping at the Mod Club on Thursday. I wonder how he’ll manage to do press to promote the tour and his solo record Sirens Of The Ditch, out July 10, while maintaining his pledge to “not answer questions about” the split?

The Chicago Sun-Times talks to Jay Farrar about the new Son Volt record and also his other project, Gob Iron while The Telegram discusses the making of The Search.

Chart reports on forthcoming records from both Centro-Matic and South San Gabriel, hopefully both this year. C-M’s Operation Motorcide EP is out on Tuesday.

Billboard talks to Bill Janovitz about Three Easy Pieces, the first new album from Buffalo Tom in nine years. It’s in stores July 10.

Preview a few songs from Golden Smog’s new EP Blood On The Slacks, out April 24, on their MySpace.

Another holiday weekend token post! Yay!

If yesterday’s Son Volt contest isn’t your speed, I’ve got another option for you to fill out your itinerary for next Thursday night. Austin drone merchants The Black Angels will be at the Horseshoe on April 12 with New York’s VietNam, and courtesy of Against The Grain, I’ve got two pairs of passes to give away for the show.

To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see The Black Angels” in the subject line, your full name and the answer me this – “Where did The Black Angels draw inspiration for their name?” This is easy – maybe easier than, “Where did VietNam get their name?”. Maybe. And speaking of VietNam, check out their Daytrotter session, if you’re curious.

Also note that even if you’ve entered the Son Volt contest and win, you’re not necessarily ineligible for this one – SV is an early show and it’s entirely reasonable to say that you’d be able to hoof it from the Mod Club to the ‘Shoe in time to see The Black Angels. But if, perchance, you do win both and don’t want to schedule a doubleheader, let me know. Of course, this could have been sorted out by email after the fact and not in the post. But I’ve already typed it and can’t be bothered to erase it. Anyway. Contest closes April 9 at midnight.

MP3: The Black Angels – “The First Vietnamese War”
MP3: VietNam – “Welcome To My Room”
Video: Black Angels – “Black Grease” (YouTube)
Video: VietNam – “Too Tired” (YouTube)
MySpace: The Black Angels
MySpace: VietNam

Son Volt are currently on the road in support of their new record The Search, a jaunt which brings them to Toronto next Thursday, April 12, for an early show at the Mod Club.

I always find it interesting, as the comments in this post last month demonstrate, how riled up some people get when discussing the pros and cons of Jay Farrar – especially considering he’s pretty much the epitome of “keep on doing what I’m doing”, regardless of what others think. But I think it comes down to this: if, after all these years, you’re still interested in what Jay’s doing, you’ll find something to enjoy in all his work, The Search included. And if you’re not, you’d have turned your attention elsewhere long ago. Metromix has some fun with a surprisingly game Farrar while The Press-Enterprise, The Herald and The Colorado Springs Independent also have chats with him about the new record.

And accompanying Son Volt on this leg of the tour is Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell. As More Cowbell reports, his long-awaited solo record Sirens Of The Ditch will be out July 10 and I’m definitely looking forward to hearing him preview it next week. The Times Daily talks to Isbell about striking out on his own while The News Times talks to bandmate Pattersoon Hood about the current state of the DBT nation.

I guess I should get to the contest portion of this post, eh? Okay – courtesy of Against The Grain, I’ve got two pairs of passes to give away to the Son Volt/Jason Isbell show next week. I’ve ALSO got a copy of The Search on CD to give away. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want me some Son Volt” in the subject line and in the body, your full name if you’re angling for the passes and your full mailing address if you’d rather score the CD. Naturally, if you want the passes please live in Toronto or surrounding areas but if you want the CD, that’s open to whoever. If you’re a local and want a shot at the passes AND the CD, include your mailing address and mention that you’ll take either. We’ll see how this shakes out. Clear as mud? Good. Contest closes at midnight, Monday April 9.

Stream: Son Volt – “The Picutre” (QT)
Stream: Son Volt – “Circadian Rhythm” (QT)
Stream: Son Volt – “The Search” (QT)
MySpace: Son Volt

There’s been a lot of Scotland covered this week so let’s jump across the Irish Sea for a moment and meet Dublin’s The Butterfly Explosion, though this weekend we don’t really need to make the trek since they’re right here in Toronto for a show at Neutral on Saturday as part of Kensington Station, one of the myriad indie/Britpop/dance nights here in Hogtown, and also on Tuesday for a free show at the Horseshoe.

Though Irish they may be, they draw their influences from the UK and in particular, the era in the early to mid 1990s affectionately called “the shoegaze years”. Their first EP Vision, available to download in its entirety from their website, balances a couple of rather unremarkable rock tunes alongside an atmospheric instrumental piece that’s also a bit aimless but does foreshadow the direction of their new EP, Turn The Sky. The new record is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor, with more assured songwriting that runs from spaced-out ambience to fuzzed-out dream-pop. It’s still not much of a challenge to play “spot the influence” but it’s shimmering and lovely in all the right places, and there’s no reason to think it won’t make an excellent soundtrack for an evening out. Or two.

And if you needed another reason to head to Neutral on Saturday night, consider the other band on the bill – The Airfields. I’ve declared my affection for the band many times before and considering it’s been over a year since I’ve seen them perform, it’ll be a treat to see them back in action. They’ve been largely in park over the last eight or nine months – hopefully this and a couple of upcoming shows (April 19 at Sneaky Dee’s, May 18 at Rancho Relaxo) will signal a permanent return to action for one of Toronto’s finest indie-pop outfits.

MP3: The Butterfly Explosion – “Sophia”
MP3: The Butterfly Explosion – “Chemistry”
MP3: The Butterfly Explosion – “The Great Game”
MP3: The Airfields – “Nowhere Left To Go”
MySpace: The Buttefly Explosion

More generosity from Tanya Donelly – after posting a slew of demos from both the Belly days and her solo records, she’s now posted a bunch of tracks from the live shows that made up her last record This Hungry Life but didn’t make the album. Tanya = the best.

Stylus interviews Dean & Britta. NPR also has a session they did for World Cafe.

Spinner asks five questions of Feist. Inanity levels are in the orange but Leslie is game. eye also reports from the set of Feist’s next video, shot at Pearson airport. The Reminder is out May 1.

Remember what I said yesterday about Idlewild not being able to catch a break? Well the streak continues – Billboard reports that their US label Sanctuary is pulling a V2 and going catalog-only after they work their current release lineup (including Make Another World).

Another artist affected by their slow shuttering is ex-Cranberry singer Dolores O’Riordan who will be releasing her solo debut Are You Listening? on May 15 and kicking off her north American tour at the Phoenix in Toronto on July 7.

The London Paper talks to Fields. They’ve also got a video interview alongside it.

Pitchfork talks to Nick Cave and Jim Sclavunos about Grinderman.

Filter has posted online their recent cover story on TV On The Radio.

Some more acts announced for Virgin Festival Toronto – day one will now also feature The Arctic Monkeys, MIA and Mute Math while day two is bolstered by Metric, Peter Bjorn & John and Honeycut. Now this is obviously all subject to personal taste, but taken together with the previously announced headliners, it seems to me that day one is stomping all over day two in a big way. Just sayin’.

Carl Newman talks to Pitchfork about the next New Pornographers album, almost certainly out in August and to be called Challengers.

Stereogum talks to members of The National about their day jobs, literature and touring. The sublime Boxer is out May 22 and they’re at the Opera House on June 5.

Chart talks to Stuart Livingstone about life in A Northern Chorus. Note that their new record The Millions Too Many just got a 4-N review from NOW and also that I’m still giving away passes to their show on Friday at the El Mocambo with The Twilight Sad. If you were to enter right now, your odds would be very very very good. Just so you know.