Things We Do

Opened with artist Mat Savard, who reminded me of a one-man Dirty Heads-esque band. One of the things that made me remember him the most was his forward personality and the facial expressions he made while he sang.

Just before the Collective West made their ..."official" appearance (Erin Faught, lead female vocalist, was working the door, stamping away and taking tix, while the rest of the band was hanging around, mingling, and cheering on the opening acts), the band was able to have another good friend of theirs, Jeff Morris, play a set. Collective West has previously opened for the sweet, slow and intelligent singer-songwriter. The folk singer has crafted his songs and voice to what seems like a "T". I really don't like reading about comparisons of artists, since each artist is unique, by leaps and bounds. However, I'm about to shame myself by comparing Morris' songs to the slower songs by Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (who, if you've read previous blogs, you'll know as one of my true loves). It's not really because their voices sound similar, but more so because they're both fellas (obviously) who know how to make hearts swell with emotion*, and no doubt put the effort into each of their verses, choruses and bridges. 
*Even though Morris is more of a heart-achey feeling, and MBF is more of a falling-in-love feeling.

And without much wait up came The Collective West. Now you know how I've been talking (and talking, and talking...) about these people for quite. To be honest, I was more worreid about hearing their new album (since this was their debut album release show). I had only ever heard the band on live recordings on Youtube. But, to jump ahead a bit, once I listened to the first song on the album I knew that I'd definitely struck gold in the West. It was really refreshing to hear a band that needed no extras or fillers in their musics or with honing their "sound".

It was a totally different kind of show than I've ever been to before. Really, it felt more like sitting in on a live impromptu band practice. The crowd seemed like they were mostly friends/family of band members, and every one felt completely comfortable, which made the music sound that much sweeter for some reason; it was a very laid back show, with heaps of banter between the audience and band. It's easy to see that the members are all friends behind-the-scenes too. They connect so well with each other DURING songs, and often commicate with eye contact and glances during their set.
To me, one of the best things about the Collective West is that they don't use completely "traditional instruments" i.e one set of drums, one/two electric guitars, or one acoustic and one bass. Erin Faught, female vocalist, switches between an acoustic guitar, and the nicest looking banjo I've ever seen. Lead male vocalist, Alex Klassen (formerly known as Alexander Chemist) plays electric guitar and tends to tape a tambourine to his foot (yeah, you definitely read that right). And according to the bands Facebook page, the remaining (yet I really don't like to use that word since they contribute so so much to the sound of the band) two members play just as hard on their "Bass/Eggshaker/Fisher Price Xylophone...", which is played by mustachioed Alex Charleton, and the "Guitar/Cajón/Glockenspiel/Dulcimer/.../Kazoo/Bells/Vocals..." played by the EXTREMELY talented and fully-demin-outfitted, Dave Sustrik.
The set included most, if not all (I did lose count due to lost-in-awe brain) songs from their new album, "Things We Do". Not only did they play orginals but they also included three great covers: I Want You Back - The Jackson 5, Gold Digga - Kanye West, and Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins. That last one was voted into place on their Facebook page! It was great to see a band who can do a cover, but do it well. Performing a cover is not only about making the original proud, but also bringing something of your own to the music! And brought it, they sure did. Erin Faught's vocals on Gold Digga (during the Jamie Foxx part), was actually one of the best  acapella vocals I've ever heard.

To sum up a great musical night, the band in no possible way dissapointed, and somehow even made themselves better with their excellent, intimate live show!


Interested in some extra reading, boys and girls? Look no further than my views on the ARTery. It's located on Jasper Ave, just east of the Shaw Conference Centre. If it's ever your first time going there, please, do yourself a favour and memorize the GoogleMap of it first. Trust me, I know this city, and I knew the address, yet it still took me at least 15 minutes of driving around the area to find the "hole-in-the-wall" venue. It actually was reaching the point of frustration when it was spotted. However, another problem soon arose: how do we get in the building? The front door was locked, with a cage/grate over the door. No signs were posted anywhere and, wince the ARTery is part of a bigger building, we went next door to a convienitet stoore to invetigate. That wasn't any help since the store clerk had no clue what I was trying to ask. We decided to go on a short adventure (in one of the sketchier areas of the city), and found out way in finally through a door in the back alley. Once getting inside my frustrating and near anger was cured. The ARTery is such a great location for any band or concert-goer wanting an intimate show. It doesn't fit many people, I'd say 100 or less? However it was perfect for the local artists and folk music that we had gone to see. The stage isn't very big, just enough to fit four members of the Collective West, but also extends on the left hand side if it's needed (this time that part was just used as extra seating). There's also quite a few tables, a set of stairs and a couch where the audience can sit (even though a lot of them ended up sitting on the floor close to the stage...like I said, it was like being with a bunch of friends!). I hope that more bands plan on having shows so that many more people are able to discover the magic of the ARTery like I was!