by Andrew Frisicano

Bell Orchestre @ BAM (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

Starting in April, Bell Orchestre (featuring members of Arcade Fire) will tour its native Canada, followed by US dates that include a NYC show at Le Poisson Rouge on April 30th with The Havels and Colin Stetson. Tickets are on sale now.

Bell Orchestre member Pietro Amato, touring North America now with three-piece instrumental project Torngat, will play with that band at the same venue on April 2nd. (Tickets are still on sale.)

Bell Orchestre just released its sophomore full-length, As Seen Through Windows, on March 10th on Arts & Crafts...

As on their previous album, Bell Orchestre's music is essentially cinematic. Though it has features of minimalism and occasionally seems completely rootless, the group's too impatient, too modern to spin meaning out of extended repetition. Their music's evocative and romantic, casually taking advantage of modern tools in the service of the creation of their potent soundscapes. So As Seen Through Windows will likely continue to solidify Bell Orchestre's reputation for making interesting and occasionally challenging instrumental music that not enough people have heard. It shouldn't be too hard to change the last part. [PopMatters]

Continue reading "Bell Orchestre - 2009 Tour Dates (LPR), LP out now "

by Andrew Frisicano

Montreal instrumental trio Torngat will play a Thursday, April 2nd, NYC date at (Le) Poisson Rouge (tix, $10) to promote its new record La Petite Nicole, out March 10 on Alien8 Recordings. The dreamy, keyboard-driven follow-up to 2007's You Could Be is described as "a grittier, propulsive sounding record that more closely resembles the band's live sound..."

La Petite Nicole offers forays into dub-heavy elements of post rock as well hints of kraut rock and the occasional miniature freak-outs....One gets the feeling that the band is creating music for yet-to-be-made films...

All Torngat tour dates, and a video from last year, below...

Continue reading "Torngat releasing an album, playing NYC, SXSW, other dates"

by Montreal's BrooklynVegan Mike

DOWNLOAD: The Luyas - Play Dead (MP3)

The Luyas are one of my favorite bands in Montreal. Their music, a collaboration of guitar, drums, melodica, and french horn, reminds me of that classic early 90's college rock sound, but turned on its head - an intoxicating combination of unsettling and comforting.

And what would a Montreal band be without other bands to take up their time? The members of the Luyas comprise some of the best and exciting music in this city, with Jessie Stein also pulling duty in Miracle Fortress and Adam and the Amethysts, and Stefan Schneider and Pietro Amato playing in Bell Orchestre with Pietro also pulling duty for Torngat.

We spoke with frontwoman Jessie Stein about the formation of the band, their sound, and skinny dipping.

Continue reading "a spotlight on The Luyas (from Montreal)"

by BrooklynVegan Mike

DOWNLOAD: Torngat - You Could Be (MP3)

Torngat was a real discovery highlight for me at this past Pop Montreal. The instrumental trio modestly refer to themselves as "French horn, keyboards, and drums" on their myspace, but their brilliant and unique songs weave compelling melodies that are all encompassing and welcoming, proving the axiom "the whole is greater then the sum of it's parts." The group features Pietro Amato who moonlights in Arcade Fire side project Bell Orchestre, sometimes plays with the Arcade Fire and Islands, and is in one of my favorite Montreal bands The Luyas. Patrick Watson is among those whom Torngat can call a collaborator.

You may have caught Torngat when they opened for Mum at the Wordless Music Series show in NYC on November 9th. If not, you can always listen to the whole show courtesy of WNYC. Torngat's next trip to the United States is for SXSW this March. Check out a video and more tour dates below...

Continue reading "Torngat - from Montreal, SXSW, MP3, video, WNYC stream"