Tonight (September 17),
Hey Ocean! played at the
Telus Studio Theatre at University of British Columbia's Chan Centre. The show was phenomenal as per usual.
More polished than the 3-4 previous times I've seen them... as the set was being recorded by
CBC Radio 2; The beautiful albeit somewhat formal setting of the theatre must've helped as well.
The mood was somewhat subdued compared to
other shows of theirs. The amount of dancing was about 87.43% less (approximately) and the cat-calls as well. Except for of course, me, who should really be carted around from show to show to make loud noises when it is lacking.
David Beckingham, the guitarist, even mentioned that it was a huge change from playing bars on their tour, to a quiet (but really appreciative) audience in their hometown.
Ashleigh Ball was in top form tonight, lilting her playful voice high and low, spitting rhymes interspersed in their West Coast-inspired set harder, better, faster, stronger. (thought I'd use
a more positive Kanye reference.) Her family was in the audience cheering her along, as well as at least one member of local band
Said The Whale, whom can be expected to be at any given show in Vancouver.
Hey Ocean! played hits from both their debut
Stop Looking Like Music and their sophomore album
It's Easier To Be Somebody Else. Their set was also interspersed with new material for their upcoming album, which is still in the process of being written.
Particular favourites from the set for myself included
Uh Oh, a new song which I've heard live a couple of times, which is a catchy tune that references hipsters and the infamous
Adbusters article about them (or us?).
15 Words is great when Beckingham is sober enough to get the riff right, which was the case tonight.
Bicycle is a stripped down little ditty about love and love lost.
Beatboxer is always fun and infectious, and
Jolene had fantastic harmonies. (Is this the same Jolene who
also haunts Jeremy Fisher?)
Another point of note is the new drummer. They've got one, at least temporarily. The last time I spoke with bassist
Dave Vertesi (also of local band
Topless Gay Love Tekno Party) he had mentioned that this one has promise, and is currently their touring drummer. Unfortunately, I didn't catch his name, but he seemed quite in sync with the rest of the members. After showing off his chops in an extended drum solo, he also proved that he can match the rest of the formidable band in terms of musical skill. This is important, as the biggest draw to
Hey Ocean!, besides
Ashleigh Ball's captivating presence and singular voice, is the driving and diverse rhythms that compels shoulders to sway and feet to dance. Here's hoping the band will find that percussive match soon, if they have not already found it in this current drummer.
Hey Ocean! is coming to a city near you! Below are some upcoming tour dates, including a stint in the United States.
(Playing with Joel Plaskett in Pop Montreal?! Nicely done! Stacked show.)
| The Gateway
| Calgary, AB
|
| Louis’ Pub
| Saskatoon, SK
|
| WCMA Awards
| Brandon, MB
|
| Phog Lounge
| Windsor, ON
|
| Call the Office (All Ages)
| London, ON
|
| The Bombshelter Pub - U of W
| Waterloo, ON
|
| Paddy Flaherty’s
| Sarnia, ON
|
| Algonquin College
| Ottawa, ON
|
| The Ale House w/ Joel Plaskett
| Kingston, ON
|
| Club Soda w/ Joel Plaskett (Pop Montreal)
| Montreal, QC
|
| Blacksheep Inn
| Wakefield, QC
|
| Montreal House
| Peterborough, ON
|
| M Room (Manhattan Room)
| Philadelphia, PA
|
| Piano’s (10 PM)
| New York, NY
|
| M Room
| Philadelphia, PA
|
| Piano’s
| New York, NY
|
| The Rivoli
| Toronto, ON
|
| M Room
| Philadelphia, PA
|
| Uptown Bar
| Minneapolis, MN
|
| NACA West
| Portland, OR
|
