Fill Bill

Sometimes performers need the right venue to fit their music. Wednesday night, 3 acts played excellent sets at the Burdock. This new-ish venue is fast becoming one of my favourite. It not only has great sound-mix but also a respectful audience. So much so that opener Ian Kehoe kept exclaiming how thrilled he was at the crowd reception.

He was right. His solo act as Marine Dreams benefited from the close listen. Unlike the noisy stint at The Silver Dollar, his songs with their meandering melodies and stream-of-consciousness lyrics had a bigger impact here. I thought the two closing number: a new song about "time doesn't stop" and Slowly were nicely balanced lyrical pop.

There was also audience silence for Isla Craig, but only because her set was gorgeous. I was slightly disappointed with her show at the Great Hall for Bry Webb. Back at this intimate venue and augmented to a full band with guest vocals from Ivy Mairi and Tamara Lindeman (The Weather Station), we were wrapped in beautiful harmonies on numbers like Bird of Paradise. But this wasn't dreamy music to drift off to because the funky bass and drums, as well as the synth vibes, kept your head and feet moving. I want this music to be recorded and issued asap into my eager hands.

Head-liner Luka also played soft, quiet music. By his set, backroom chatter was creeping in, but not quite to the same level as a typical bar. At first, he seemed to be in the mold of the sad-sack singer with songs like Cover Me. But as I listened to this full band set, I think his musical lineage is actually 50s teen idol. Songs like Love Is The Eternal Way and O, My Heart Is Full may have modern lyrics but at their core (as well as some elements in the arrangement), these were pure starry-eyed pop.