4TheRcrd Mag.

I had the good fortune of growing up in Guelph, Ontario. While there were drawbacks to an existence based in the depths of Southwestern Ontario, these were all but out shone by Guelph’s vibrant music scene.

Now planted firmly three time zones away, I find myself listening to Craig Norris on Radio3, trying to maintain some connection to the artists who shaped my adolescent foray into culture. Like a trip down memory lane, a motley troupe of musicians from the GTA is rolling into Vancouver throughout the week.

Unfortunately for me, I am detailing this list of shows from a couch in San Francisco. It seems that my academic pursuits have led me to conduct a series of research interviews in the Bay Area… during the week where some of my favourite folks from Ontario are descending on the venues of Vancouver. So, good people of the North, take note! Better yet, get some tickets, grab a pint, and strap in for some good old-fashioned rock- just like mom used to make.

Starting off the invasion from the East are two shows on Wednesday night. Hawksley Workman is sure to delight the crowd at St. Andrew’s Wesley with his esoteric brand of music. A few streets over, my dear friend Angie Nussey will be celebrating the release of her new cd, Little Tragedies, at the Railway Club. Nussey is a veteran performer whose penchant for storytelling, combined with her soulful voice makes her a pleasure to watch.

Leaving the audiences of Vancouver little time to rest, Matt & Jill Barber are performing at the Media Club on March 20. The Sibling Rivalry tour brings the Barbers to BC fresh from South by Southwest. Matt will be playing from his new cd, Ghost Notes, while Jill (I suspect) will still be glowing from receiving two Juno nominations. As far as double billings go, I don’t think you could ask for a more satisfying combo than the Barber kids.

When you are surrounded by musical brilliance, it is easy to become over-stimulated and burnout. For this reason, I recommend some heavy bed rest on March 21. After a hearty meal and some light stretching, put on your best slacks and head down to the Plaza Club on the 22nd for the musical stylings of Jason Collett. Following a decade in the Toronto Indy scene- including ongoing contributions to Broken Social Scene- Collett’s newest album, Here’s to Being Here, shows off the skills that come with a well-developed career. Collett’s lyrical narratives are richly engaging. All in all, this is not a show to miss.

To round out the Ontarian invasion is fellow Guelphite, Stephen Fearing (that’s right, we’re called Guelphites). An active member of the Guelph music scene, Fearing’s eclectic style contributed much to the music that I remember so fondly. While Fearing’s music continues to develop a great diversity of sound, his repertoire is bound together by a gritty honesty. It is this honesty, mixed with technical mastery that makes Fearing’s shows an enduring treat. Stephen Fearing will be at St. James Hall on March 23rd.

If ever there was an apt cross-section of the Ontario Indy scene, it is truly being represented on the stages of Vancouver this week. From the land of chicken-fried steak, I wish you all a week full of delightful performances from the East.