Astronautalis @ Sneaky Dee’s 

I had originally planned to attend the Real Estate show at the Horseshoe, but I arrived at the venue only to find that despite the fact that the place was not at all packed, they were only allowing people with tickets into the venue.  Fair enough, if they are expecting plenty of people with tickets to show up, it makes sense to cap the wrist band capacity even if the place isn’t packed.  The sketchy part is that they were however allowing people to enter as long as they were willing to shell out $15 cash.   I could see this move pissing someone off who paid good money for a supposedly all-inclusive wrist band.

That being said, not being allowed entry into the Horseshoe once again proved fortuitous as I was able to catch a chunk of the REMG showcase at Sneaky Dee’s which included one of my top two performances of the festival.

 I got in just in time to catch the tail-end of the Astronautalis set.  Andy Bothwell, the solo act from Seattle puts on one hell of a charismatic show, but unfortunately for people who demand picture-book reviews, he is too popular to allow me to get anywhere close to the stage for photos.  I would describe the sound of Astronautalis as a blend between white boy rap and Tom Waits minus the alcoholism, punctuated by lengthy interludes of talk delivered with an ice dark radio voice worthy of Joe Frank.  His set featured rapping to at times Dylanesque back-beats and a funny and damn talented free-style rap session prominently featuring “Jean Christian” based on audience suggestions.

Dessa @ Sneaky Dee’s 

The set that followed is really the performance that capped my night.  Dessa features Dessa Darling (née Margret Wander) from the Minneapolis collective, Doomtree.

Dessa @ Sneaky Dee’s - March 14, 2010

What struck me instantly about Dessa was the obvious intellectual sharpness of the lyrics and Dessa’s impressive vocal range.  Her performance shifted from vicious spitfire delivery, to soothing trip-hop-jazzy vocals highly reminiscent of Lamb’s Lou Rhodes, to a haunting delivery of Cohen’s Hallelujah at the end of the set.  Dessa’s poetry-slam roots are clearly evident as is her obvious intelligence as echoed in the witty narratives of her lyrics.  She delivers pieces with strong emotional imagery which straddle the fine line between meaningful personal engagement and the overly saccharine, without falling into the pit.

Dessa @ Sneaky Dee’s - March 14, 2010 

I purchased their album on the way out, and rest-assured I will do a follow-up post about A Badly Broken Code ( released January 2010) once I’ve had an opportunity to fully absorb what I’ve heard.

Papier  Tigre @ Rancho Relaxo

I ended my night and my CMF experience by returning to familiar territory for the Papier Tigre (not to be mistaken with Doomstree collective member, Paper Tiger). 

Paper Tigre @ Rancho Relaxo - March 14, 2010 

Though they hail from Nantes, France, you’d never be the wiser given their highly anglicized accent.  

The band featured mostly instrumental high energy rock with an engaging performance.  Not at all a bad end to the CMF, but I’ve got to say that I was frankly exhausted and ready to go home at the end of the set. Definitely not the band’s fault, it’s just been a long five days.

Papier Tigre @ Rancho Relaxo - March 14, 2010

Highlights

That closes things off for me in terms of CMF 2010.  If as I expect, no one actually read any of my posts, I hope that someone at least checked out some of the shots along the way. 

 If anyone is actually reading these posts, I would have to say that the Ketch Harbour Wolves set at Neutral and Dessa’s set at Sneaky Dee’s stole the festival for me.  Ignore all my other recommendations if you must, but do yourself a favour and get your hands on their albums.