Whistle While You Twerk

Craft brewery Steam Whistle hosts a concert series called "Steam Whistle Unsigned" to profile local bands. I went on Friday to its small plant located near the Rogers Centre (Skydome). An old building next to a small park with a heritage, but non-functional train (sitting on a short section of track), the site was picturesque if you ignore the condos, highway, and surface parking that surround it.

The work areas were obviously down and silent for the night, but you could peer through the glass windows at the machinery. I was impressed with the stage, which was better than most local (bar) venues. Not only were there plenty of lighting rig and a video screen backdrop, they had array speakers mounted above, large ones on either side, and even a front speaker up at the front of the stage. Along with the unexpectedly large sound board, this meant that tonight's show was nicely mixed even if the warehouse-like area was not acoustically great.

The opener was Paradise Animals, a new endeavour from Green Go drummer Mark Andrade. This trio, which also had another drummer, played beat-heavy dance-pop. All three musicians swapped places often, moving between synth, drums, guitar and drum machines. They sounded technically good but a little rough in concept. Andrade's laconic voice seemed at odds with the punchy and layered looping music.

Maylee Todd was up next and she delivered her usual high-energy set. Although after one particularly vigorous song, she lamented jokingly while panting that perhaps the crazy antics were getting too hard for "this old goat". Don't worry about it, just look to James Brown and Tina Turner for inspiration. There were some fans up at the front, but it was mostly a new audience. They warmed up to her retro-soul style and powerful voice soon enough. By the time the Soul Train set-up was laid down by Todd on the last number, there were plenty of eager participants.