The Cadre -

6 October 1998

Arts and Entertainment 15

Mad about Halifax On Music Ill

(in a good way)

By KAREN RAWLINES

The third installment of the venerable Halifax On Music festival, presented by Proper Productions, survived a handful of big name fallouts in fine style by thriving on the spirit that underscores one of the strongest independent mu- sic scenes on the map.

Three headlining acts booked to the three day festi- val, which ran from Septem- ber, balked at their show cases. Will Oldham (Palace Music, etc.) was a -no-show. Mary Lou Lord cancelled. The Brian Jonestown Massacre was ab- sent.

Despite the odds against them, Halifax On Music pre- fers the glass half full, and opted to amplify what was left of their still savourable roster. Organizers and the bevy of bands on site rallied to over- come the streak of bad luck.

The high profile absen- teeism was perhaps the best thing thatcould happen to many bands, as the onus was put on show goers to look beyond the names, stylish habits and repu- tations of famed ones, and to appreciate the strengths of the next wave of popular.

The pace of a festival of this calibre does notallow even the most skilled’ of club-hop- pers to soak in all of the sonic condensed into one weekend. Still, stand-outs got their just desserts with appreciation untainted by brooding ticket

holders who still mourned the artists that were playing hooky. Especially Impressive status goes uncontestedly to The Mooney Suzuki of big, bad New York City. Maxi- mum rock posturing, clean and 0-so-very loud sound made this white-turtle-necked/black- jeaned four piece a most memorable act. They played a table-crushing set with bad PA at the Bike Shop; an ironi- cally hard, after hours set at the divine Dio Mio Gelato; then ended the weekend by louding their way into the hearts of festival organizers to win a replacement top-billing at the "Grand Finalee" [a typo that makes sense]. They played their mad ("in a good way”) hearts out every show, and took Brian Jonestown Massa- cre’s place free of charge. ond shiniest show honours go to Cinnamon Toast records and their fifth annual Cinnamon Toast Brunch at Rye’s Deli and Pub. The ever inimitable Piggy offered their ebullient Maritime calypso to the throngs of dancing admir- ers who were not immune to their striking choreography. The Brunch event continues to bea festival favourite. Fes- tival publicist, Melissa Buote, captures the essence of this pure moment: “Dancing...eating...wicked.” Other notable notables

1:45 Pm

were featured in CBC’s Brave New Waves sponsored show case, including Halifax's art- drenched Soaking Up Jagged, surprise impressionados, Do Make Say Think, and the haunt- ingly atmospheric, Godspeed You Black Emperor.

The above bands added to one of the most conspicuous aspects of HoM III: the very visibly evolved independent scene, which has branched considerably from the days of yore.

“It's moved away from BOP. Buote explained. “There's a branching-off... there are more experimental and art rock bands. A greater diversity.”

The diversity was obvi- ous, with bands ranging from Teen Wolf's rock to Five Foot Nine’s folk, and from Joel Plaskett’s country-inspired narratives to the realm of Hali- fax hip hop or North of Ameri- ca's atonal melodies, and be-

As the sound of the indie scene changes, so does the sound featured in the festival. This was evident particularly in the representation of the Halifax bands.

“This is the first year the festival hasn’t had the com- mercially popular and nation- ally affluent bands like Sloan, the Super Friendz, and the Inbreds,” Buote said, noting that the latter two have broken

Your throat’s constricting.

=> Medic Alert

1-800-668-1507

up. “Pop hasn't disappeared, however,” Buote is quick to add. “It’s just left the forefront.”

Oth phi sf a and Liked at The On Ciao Bella B’Ehl Wheat 4 Star Movie Joe! Plaskett Thrush Hermit Piggy's shirts Marc Bell's comics

Dio Mio Gelatto

Halifax

Sepa 2”, 1998

the Atlantic Film Festival

The Word On The Street

book festival

featuring a reading by UPEI English Department's charming Lesley-Anne Bourne .

Her new novel, The Bubble Star, is available at the UPEI Bookstore.

The Coast preper

PRODUCTIONS

MEDIA