Synthcake | | photo by Audrey Alexandrescu
Synthcake launched their new EP Molding Through Seasons to an enthusiastic crowd at the Interurban Art Gallery on May 11. They turned the night into a full experience too, incorporating an exhibit of modern—maybe post modern—art by the duo Jorden Blue and David James Doody. The art complemented Synthcake’s own sense of style, but by the time they actually took the stage you had pretty much forgotten it was there. There was also stage lighting from an overhead projector shining through coloured transparencies and liquids onto the band and the wall behind them. The sheets and liquids were shuffled around and tuned in and out of focus; an interesting idea, but in practice the effect ranged from distracting to headache inducing.
After an hour and a half of art, openers Thee Ahs played, and were clearly excited to be there. They played with a lot of energy and everyone was having a lot of fun, but their noisy pop/punk didn’t click with the audience. Still, they have a lot of talent and aside from a screeching (literally) saxophone segment, they showed a lot promise. Thee Ahs will do great things when they find their groove.
Wintermitts | | photo by Audrey Alexandrescu
The popular and talented Wintermitts were up next, and it’s only when you see them in person can you appreciate how much skill and hard work goes into the music. Plus, they appeal directly to my love of horn sections in rock music. Evidently, everyone was enthralled by and singing along to “Birds,” and “Sharks” really showed off their ability to layer together their instruments to stunning effect.
Synthcake | | photo by Audrey Alexandrescu
Finally we came to the main act, and from open to close, they crushed it. Synthcake’s music is weird and atmospheric on the album, but when you hear it live it has a darker edge and the carnival-esque quality stands out to the point that their songs will make you afraid of clowns all over again. Lana Pitre’s synth loops along with Kristy-Lee Audette’s trumpet and glock come together to produce a positively deranged sound on new track “Molding Through Seasons,” while older “Dancing Rain” took on a whole new life when performed live. It was a visceral performance, and they topped it all off by serving a synth-shaped cake made by Pitre’s parents. It was a bizarrely fitting end to a crazy show.
21 Comments
Thee Ahs are already doing great and found their groove a long time ago! Screeching saxophones only make them groovier and more interesting, but I suppose the reviewer only likes things that are palatable and designed for the masses to swallow (Synthcake and Wintermitts). Hell, even Thee Ahs make sugary, danceable pop for the masses! What am I saying?
What I’m saying is: the reviewer obviously needs their hearing checked, as Thee Ahs were the best, least pretentious, most enthusiastic, and most original-sounding band of the night.
Never give anything but the highest praise to Thee Ahs because their fans and the band themselves won’t digest anything other. If you’re lucky you might even get called “sexist”.
Thee Ahs!
oh fuck off Nathan pike.
(first time a member of thee ahs posts)
Dude, Nathan Pike, NO ONE from Thee AHs commented on your stupid review, none of Thee AHs called you sexist. Maybe it was a fan, we don’t control people- GET OVER IT. WE DON’T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOU, you creep!
everyone’s being ridiculous.
music journalism itself is ridiculous.
ahs, don’t worry so much about what others think–make music you like.
reviewer, thicker skin please. people are going to take issue with things you write for forever. also, if you are accused of being a sexist and truly feel you aren’t, maybe be more careful with your language that leads others to assume this.
i’m going to bed now.
Seconding a lot of JES’s comment. That WAS a great set by Thee AHs–but also playing a lot of the least poppy stuff in their repertoire–and even if it’s patronizing, the reviewer has some nice things to say. I sympathize with any musician’s sensitivity to criticism, but, as JES says, you can’t get this upset about it. By attacking Nathan Pike like this you’re not only proving his point (criticize Thee AHs at your peril), you’ve turned this into something ugly.
First off, not a member of Thee Ahs. Just tired of Pike weaseling his way out of being called sexist (and it has happened on many other online occasions).
So, here’s a fact: Pike will use his fake facebook account (which I am guessing he will have deactivated by the time you try to check it out)to pretend to be an incensed [pseudo-feminist] woman who visits all the groups that Nathan trolls and always defends Nathan against all the actual women who [rightfully] call him sexist. Just putting that out there as a strange little fact about the man who takes offense when called on his sexism.
Now, as for the article; Obviously Synthcake is fantastic. Obviously they chose wonderful bands to play with.
Unfortunately, due to Pike’s Canada-given right to free speech we may be subjected to further articles by this “writer”, and the best we can all do (including myself) is try to hold down our cybervomit, and hold our tempers. That last bit about the tempers includes you, Nathan Pike – don’t think fake facebook accounts and passive aggressive comments / reviews are going to fool anyone, silly
You people are disgusting. What a bunch of petty children! Go drink another Pabst and do the awkward aloof head bob to the next shitty 20 something band instead of slagging each other on a fucking comment thread. Jesus, grow up!
^you just slagged everyone off lol
seriously, we all look like jerks now. I have no problem with this review, people! This review was not written by Nathan Pike. I have a problem with Nathan Pike!
I seriously didn’t even have a problem with Nathan Pike’s review itself, but he decided to attack us because someone else got offended by his review of us
Here’s betting Renee is Pike incognito…
Aw c’mon, I though Pikey’s online ladyperson was kinda cute. Dumb, but cute.
LOL @ 38 year old alkie railing against PBL-drinkers and “20-something” bands”. You could not make this shit up.
everyone sucks forever
While it’s so very cool to chat crap and make baseless accusations about someone you’ve never met or know anything about, i find the idea of having to defend myself or hold an abusive dialogue with a couple of teenagers about as fruitful as trying to kick water uphill. Though I do greatly admire your efforts at being shitty people. Good job.
That aside, to Thee Ahs i owe and apology. The comment that started this thread was petty and unnecessary. Through the many things I’ve learned in life, holding my tongue when i ought to is still something that needs work. And in the comment section of a review that has nothing to do with me, this is especially so.
@Thee Ahs:
When commenting on a review of your own show it is IMPERATIVE that you use pseudonyms!
LOL. Gotta love the person accusing others of using a false identity, meanwhile hiding behind a false identity of their own. Coward.
The one thing that is clear to me is that “THEE AHS” and their fans/friends (all one in the same!) are total assholes. I will never support this band. Not that they’ll “make it” or last any more than a couple of years anyway.
although no one cares about this anymore, it seems some people were misunderstood in this comment thread and a lot of people were seeing what they wanted to see and not truly reading some of these comments.