Pat Blythe – Indie Week wrap-up Part I…..and music

It’s been a whirlwind week with so many events happening. The big one and closing out music festival “season”…..Indie Week. Heralding five days of entertainment from all over the world, the launch bash was held at Revival this past Wednesday, Nov. 13. The following days and nights were filled with the sounds of music, cheers and stomping feet, all leading up to the wrap-up party at the Mod Club on Sunday, Nov. 17. With a 4am last call, thousands of ears were filled with international sounds emanating from the participating Toronto clubs salted all over the city

So……let’s begin.

It’s hump day. A cold, snowy, rather miserable day….an evening to spend by the first fire of the season with a mug of hot chocolate and a good book. Absolutely NOT!!! Revival was packed, top and bottom. Lots of schmoozing, non-stop music and picture-taking and catching up with folks you don’t see often enough. I attended with friend and business partner photographer/drummer Karl Anderson, who, knowing my love of driving in miserable weather at night (she says dripping with sarcasm) chauffeured us around that evening.

Johnny Shay

Johnny Shay opened the evening with a lovely acoustic set followed by rock trio Ellefante from Brazil. Columbian singer Camila Andrew, who won Best Emerging (International) Artist, shared her lovely voice with the audience while Indigenous, electro-pop artist Kelly Fraser from Nunavut (whom I also saw at Indie Week’s pre-launch party) performed a number of songs including her latest single Rebound Girl. Rock band Bobby Pins from South Korea were up next followed by one of the craziest and wildest acts of the night, Italian rock band Piqued Jacks. These guys put on a show and had the audience going nuts.

….that was just upstairs….

Revival downstairs had a slew of acts including Icelandic singer/songwriter Valborg Ólafs who just released her new self-titled debut EP.  Ólafs was followed by Toronto-based singer Ventresca, hip-artist Luxe, Japenese “goth” duo Free But Sharp Pain and Ships Have Sailed.

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces in the crowd…..there’s nothing like a good hug and a catch-up, albeit brief, conversation. Singer/songwriter Audra Santa (that’s twice in two weeks!), Kirk and Chris Reed from The Reed Effect, J.C Sandoval and Del Orso from The Crooked, owner of See Rock Live Magazine and Canada Rocks Media Hartley Pickens, of course the man himself Darryl Hurs, photographer and “everywhere man” Dylan Weller and so so many more. A great start for Indie Week and all the artists who performed over the following four days. It is indeed the “little festival that could”.

Kudos goes out to all the fantastic volunteers who turn those wheels and put it all motion. To Hurs whose vision has grown into a wonderful stage for all those Indie artists following their passion and to all of the attendees who go out of their way to support our music future. Thank you!

…..and now for a few pics….

A view from the balcony….Bobby Pins

Camila Andrew

Ellefante – bassist Andriano Pasqua & guitarist Fernando Vaz

Kelly Fraser

Piqued Jacks’ bassist littleladle and guitarist Majic-o

Piqued Jacks’ vocalist E-King

Shenanigans at Revival w/Del Orso, J.C. Sandoval and Sean MacLean from Waves That Stray

A view from above….I spot J.C. Sandoval & Dylan Hennessey….

Wow!!! Short column but rushing off to a walk-through of the Meridian Centre (formerly the Sony Centre) to check out photographic positions….in other words, where I can and cannot shoot from and where all my entrances and exits are. ONES is performing here on December 7. The grand finale to a year of busyness and performances. In The Big Smoke for the first time, producer/writer/guitarist Frank Zirone is bringing his dream project home after taking his team on the road around Ontario for the past four years.

The magic comes alive with creative genius of Jain Mcmillan and the multi-media presentation she has created and is constantly refining. The musicianship is superb! The note-for-note performance is a fantastic tribute TO The Beatles and their number one hits from 1964 to 1969. A bit of a history lesson narrated by Al Joynes (Q107) and a lot of dancing in the aisles….by the audience.

Eternal Ride of a Heartful Mind – Piqued Jacks

Loner vs Lover – Piqued Jacks

In The Wild – Johnny Shay

Fragile – Camila Andrew

Reconcilliar – Ellefante

Rebound Girl – Kelly Fraser

Valborg Ólafs – Golden Sky

Empathy – The Crooked

Identity Crisis – Waves That Stray

I’m off and running…..

Cheers!

All photographs ©2019 Pat Blythe A Girl With A Camera

=PB=

Pat’s column appears every Wednesday.

Contact us at: dbawis@rogers.com

In “real” life Pat Blythe has spent the past 32 years as a consultant and design specialist in the telecommunications industry. After an extended absence Pat is now heading back to the GTA clubs, immersing herself in the local music scene, tasting what’s on offer, talking to people and writing once again — sharing her passions and her deep love of music. Together for 34 years, Pat also worked alongside her late husband Christopher Blythe, The PictureTaker©, who shot much  of the local talent (think Goddo, Frank Soda and the Imps, Plateau, Buzzsaw, Hellfield….) as well as national and international acts,  Currently making her way through 40 years of Chris’s archives, Pat is currently compiling a photographic history of the local GTA music scene from 1975 to 1985. It continues to be a work in progress. Oh…..and she LOVES  to dance!