Listen Locally

Arkells

A couple months ago I wrote this article on the "ARKELLS" for the paper:
http://www.thehamiltonspectator.com/Entertainment/article/363036

Since then, local gentlemen the Arkells have been hard at work. New album coming out, hopefully in the fall. The reason I'm writing about them again is because I'm listening to them on the Toronto based radio station EDGE 102.1 FM. They just finished up an interview, and now they're performing live. The broadcast is live from the pre-Edgefest party. Tomorrow they're opening up the main stage at the station's mega music festival, EDGEFEST. Hearing them on the radio giving an interview and performing instills a local pride within. Knowing that a little band we've watched grow from the "Charlemagne" days  had what it takes to become even just a little bit bigger, proves that talent and lots of hard work eventually pay off.  Next week they're heading out west to open for the Black Crowes.

At the risk of repeating myself, I'll let you read the original article to get the details.

Congrats Arkells!

The Millions Too Many

It was a moment. And it happened. And we were there. A Northern Chorus played their last chords.

"I'm a bit verklempt" joked Stu Livingstone, co-founding member of the band. It may have been Pete Hall, the other half of the founding members, who knows. Other than voices, distinguishing anything onstage was tricky. The room was so full, the stage was hard to see.

They were one of those bands. All about atmosphere. It was a combination of layered voices, cellos, guitars, drums and a violin that set a breathtaking stage. It's a shame it took their demise to bring fans, friends and family together to share the night.

The band began their set with the title track from The Millions Too Many. In a recent conversation with Pete Hall, he explained the motivation behind the label. "The Millions too many is basically a comment on just how huge the music world is now," says Hall, "There are so many bands touring and putting out records that it's very difficult to find your own place."

From that point on there was no turning back. Attempting to remember specifically what songs were played is next to impossible. A good chunk of every A Northern Chorus release was performed. After a solid hour of music, the crowd was still going strong as was the the band. Few, if any, audience members had left their spot on the floor. The night was almost over, as the clock struck 1:30 a.m. This was the moment of the first "break". You knew they'd come back, but you still cheered them on. After a few sips the band collected themselves again and played four more songs or so. Quarter to two, they're done for good this time, right? Right? Tears were shed. Eight years of solid music and touring about to come to an end.
One more song. Skeleton Keys.
"You know this kind of thing has never happened before. You know this kind of thing will never happen again."

And it was over.