Photo credit: Cole Wilson
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cole-Wilson-Photography-Digital-Art/373481716013073?ref=hl
The first music show by Oliver Live rocked out Saturday Jan 26 2013 at the Elks Hall in Oliver BC! Performances by Great White North, Jack Rabbit & the Beetles, Intents, and TC Creek provided a wide variety of sounds all fitting under the event’s theme: “Folk Rock Night”. Thanks to the bands & local volunteers, it went smoothly, and we are stoked to keep it on comin’!
TC Creek bravely warmed up the stage on his lonesome with a road-rash-raw folk solo set. He bashfully encouraged the crowd to go outside for a smoke while he played through his songs, which only caused everyone to chuckle and stick around in front of the stage to let this boundary-blooded musician bring smiles to our faces and taps to our toes.
Intents took the stage next, a duet composed of a pretty Québecoise trumpeter/vocalist and a shaggy acoustic guitarist/vocalist, the latter of which is currently typing this very review. Their performance was a phenomenal manifestation of superhuman grace, talent & wisdom. From the perspective of an unbiased review writer, they could be described as a cute brew of Québec folk and unplugged ska punk, reminiscent of campfire songs that spin out of control as the rations of grog diminish.
Jack Rabbit & the Beetles (formerly known as Jack Rabbit & the Field Mice, hereon to be known as Jack Rabbit & the Field Mice) metaphorically took our folky river boat, added equal parts black ale and rocket fuel to the coal engine, and sparked the lot with a charge of electric distortion, sending the whole vessel into orbit. In other words, “garage psych folk”. Trippy organ, airborne drumming, & the allure of Jack Rabbit‘s mysterious guitar and vocals pulled everyone into the riptide of folk music’s newest generation.
The night ended with the vast sweep of musical territory known as Great White North. An alternative folk rock group, with frontman/singer/song-writer Mike Szalay leading a troupe of musician friends, spurred an expedition through a set of heartfelt tunes, inspired by the times past. The banjo player held a striking resemblance with the enigmatic Jack Rabbit of the set prior, strangley. The likeness between the bassist and the masculine half of the Intents duet (2nd set) was also striking, but not as uncanny as the semblance between the lead guitarist and Mr. TC Creek himself of the opening set.
The event sold enough tickets to pay for expenses and the outrageous SOCAN fee, but unfortunately the musicians could only be compensated for their talents with post-gig ale sponsored by Oliver’s Firehall Brewery. Everyone gathered at Murphy’s Irish Sports Bar & Grill aftewards for a relaxing pint or two. Until the next show… CHEERS! – Oliver Live