words & photos by Dominick Mastrangelo

A few songs into Land Of Talk's set at Mercury Lounge on Saturday night the sold out audience began asking for more vocals. "I think all of your bodies are absorbing my vocals," said frontwoman, Elizabeth Powell.

Things are different than when last Powell played New York. It's been a rough year since her voice gave out and forced the band off tour from support of last year's excellent Some Are Lakes (which included dates with Broken Social Scene). Powell, who was singing with BSS in addition to her own band, had surgery to correct damage to her vocal chords, she took voice lessons, wrote several songs which make up their new Fun and Laughter EP as well as the forthcoming album which the band began recording last month. She wears an in-ear monitor in concert now and everything is clearly in place to protect her distinctive voice that used to go head-to-head with her razor-sharp guitar playing. Now her voice has acquiesced, it's a bit softer though she did let it go a few times, especially during "All My Friends" and the line "Hustling leaves me white hot / blue in the face / eyes blood shot." But despite her subdued vocals the packed crowd was still riveted; her guitar playing, the drumming of Andrew Barr and multi-insturmental duties of Joe Yarmush all outstanding through a set that didn't end until half past 1am.

The show was one of a few dates with Surprise Me Mr. Davis (Marco Benevento & members of The Slip). More pictures from the NYC show below...

Continue reading "Land of Talk played Mercury Lounge in NYC w/ Surprise Me Mr Davis & North Highlands - pics & setlist"

Land of Talk opening for Decemberists @ Summerstage

Mercury Lounge isn't the only upcoming NYC Land of Talk show. It has just been officially announced that Land of Talk will be supoorting (their new Saddle Creek record and) Broken Social Scene on BSS's fall tour including at the show in Brooklyn that went on sale earlier today. But most of exciting of all...

Land Of Talk front person, Elizabeth Powell, will join Broken Social Scene each night on the tour as guest vocalist on various songs throughout their set in addition to Land of Talk's opening performance. Elizabeth can be heard contributing vocals on the acclaimed Broken Social Scene Presents: Brendan Canning Something For All Of Us.... album as well as the soundtrack to the Broken Social Scene scored film The Tracey Fragments, starring Ellen Page.

Land of All also added a whole bunch of Canadian headlining shows of their own. All dates below...

Continue reading "Land of Talk - 2008 Tour Dates (in & w/ Broken Social Scene) "

Land of Talk @ Citysol, NYC - July 14, 2007

Old news, but never explicitly pointed out by me, Liz Powell from Land of Talk can be heard on Broken Social Scene's new Brendan Canning album. It's the second time Liz and Brendan worked together. Land of Talk also have a new album of their own coming out soon - October 7th to be exact. And even sooner they'll play a show at Mercury Lounge in NYC - September 11th to be exact. Tickets are now on sale.

Ellen Page film to open in New York on May 9

ThinkFilm has picked up the U.S. distribution rights to pre-"Juno" Ellen Page starrer "The Tracey Fragments," set to open May 9 in Gotham with a wider release to follow.

Canuck drama will debut in Gotham on March 14 at the Museum of Modern Art's fifth anniversary film series celebrating Canadian cinema. [Variety]

"The score is composed by and features music from Canadian indie rock group Broken Social Scene. The soundtrack also features Peaches, The FemBots and a cover version of Patti Smith's 'Horses' by Land of Talk's Elizabeth Powell." [Wikipedia]

Listen to the BSS/Lizzie version of 'Horses' at this random MySpace. You'll also hear it in the background of the trailer. Watch that below....

Continue reading "The Tracey Fragments (movie) = Juno (Ellen Page) + Broken Social Scene + Land of Talk (Liz Powell) -- coming to NYC"