I wonder on this night (though I wasn't actually clever enough to ask anybody) if the opening band tonight actually played. I didn't think I arrived too late into the evening, but Memphis was just hitting the stage when I got there, so either the show was bumped up earlier than it was listed, or we were missing a band. Anyhow... Memphis. The newest project involving the omnipresent Torquil Campbell of Stars fame (and Law & Order, among other things, for those who follow forensic dramas... I know I was surprised the day I saw that episode.. hah!) is more of what we've come to expect from him, albeit with a different bent. I mean, we're certainly never going to see this guy foray into metal or anything, but Memphis is somehow earthy and real and ever so slightly vicious. The band plays calmly and there's a saxophone... sweet!







Campbell has an understated sense of humour. He's actually quite stitch-inducing, but everything he says is in the same gentle, polite and quiet tone, if you're not listening intently to what he has to say, you absolutely would have no idea that he's saying such endearingly funny stuff. Everything from his odd song dedications ("I dedicate this song... to me.") to telling us Apostle of Hustle is going to come out and "Rock your face off" is said with a sweet serenity that sounds more like he's instructing a yoga class than anything else. "Be nice to Andrew [Whiteman of Apostle...]. He has a burning sensation in his face. He's too hot," we were told. At one point, we were all told to relax and sit down on the floor, the lights in the room were turned off, and Memphis played us "A Ghost Story." Cute effect. We were heralded for being such a wonderful and co-operative audience. Near the set end, as the band descended into a chorus of oohs and na-na's, Campbell spun to look at his band and stage-whispered to them, "let's finesse this." And that they did. I was left feeling that I enjoy Memphis far more than I ever enjoyed Stars.









While standing about waiting for Apostle of Hustle to set up - painfully long set change over by the way - Campbell quietly appeared from out of nowhere to hang out with friends in the audience. For the most part he was left be but a couple of excited chirps from people around me showed that he was discreetly noted.. a few ventured forth for photos and words, and one girl near me nervously went over to show him something on her cel phone, to which he engaged her in an animated conversation for a good five minutes. I thought this was wonderful. He didn't put her aside to hang with his friends or anything - he very clearly and honestly spoke with her for a while, something that definitely made her day. As he accepted her accolades graciously, I overheard him say to her, "thank you, but you know, it's not me. It's the wind that moves through me." He also mentioned something about wanting to do under-18 shows, where you have to bring ID to prove you're under 18. Interesting.









The Arts & Crafts label bands break like billiards. They're flung hither and thither all over the place, comingling and creating and doing their best to confuse everyone as to exactly who's in charge of what and came up with the idea for this or that, who has a country side project or a singer songwriter solo album or an emo band - I mean, they just keep us guessing. Apostle of Hustle, as Memphis, has done presicely this. Comprised of folks picked over from the A&C roster and some of their buds, they've offered up a deliciously palatable and colourful set of songs that sometimes roll like a country breeze, and sometimes jig like a drunken pirate. And they also continue the humourous aspect of the evening, most prominently with a blurb before "Fast Pony for Victor Hara" about what we can imagine while we listen to the lengthy instrumental opening so that we don't get bored. I can't remember every detail of this, but it involved a mountie riding his trusty moose, and the moose doing spins on the top of a hill, the young, fresh-faced hero of a mountie holding up the severed head of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in one hand, and the severed head of American President George W. Bush in the other. Damn the man. Musically, the band is indelibly interesting. A separate percussionist besides the drummer put together reams of random noises. The band members look like they come from all walks of life (something that works to a delightful advantage in the video for their single "National Anthem of Nowhere") and just a few songs in, everyone clambered stagefront for a big crazy bolero-like rollicking tune. Good times. Crafty. How appropriate.









I left a bit early, because I'm a dork, but I saw most of AoH's set and was thoroughly engaged by it. So there you have it - not exactly a common New Music West wrap party, but it's all we were offered this year - at least it was a good'un! Ta ta New Music West 2007. We'll see you next year.

Elsewhere

By Andy Scheffler
Photos : Andy Scheffler
Published : June, 2007.