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Quiet Violence / No More Sleep

 When I saw that Spencer Jo was touring central Canada I made a note of it...so just over a month ago I went to a show in Winnipeg with my wife. Spencer Jo, Grotoko and Borrowed Standards put on an amazing show. 

Borrowed Standards opened up (this was my first time hearing his music) with a set of aggressive acoustic folk. If you told me Borrowed Standards put out an album on Plan-It-X I would believe you. Folk that sounds like it's about to go off the rails, but stays on track the whole time. 

Next up was the draw for me, Spencer Jo. Before their set I had mentioned that Quit It! hadn't played Guts & Glory and asked if they were going to play it that night. Long story short, they explained why Quit It! took Guts & Glory out of the set and asked if that was a request. Well, I didn't intend it to be a request, but if they wanted to play it who was I to stand in their way, haha. Spencer Jo plays more straight forward folk with a hint of punk and has a presence on stage that is quite fantastic. They intro the songs and talk a bit of politics (when applicable), but in no way was there preaching. I really dug the insight that they provided. There's a beauty to the way  Spencer Jo writes music/lyrics (and as my wife pointed out they have a fantastic voice). Guts & Glory did not disappoint one bit, there's something about that song that makes one take flight. There were also a few lines that I hadn't noticed listening to the album prior to seeing them live, for example the gnarly line in Guns at the Border, "So if you march with the enemy, carry seeds wherever you go. So that when you're dead in the dirt, something beautiful might grow". If you haven't checked out Spencer Jo's most recent solo album The Water, do  yourself a favour and go check it out now.

Last up was Grotoko. I think this was my third time seeing them solo (they also opened up for Spencer Jo's other band Quit It! in Winnipeg last year). Grotoko/Blue McLeod plays somewhat quirky folk with a myriad of instruments (when recorded) or, when live, an acoustic guitar and a kazoo. Their stage presence is somewhat reserved with dry wit sprinkled throughout which I find really charming. Grotoko has a pop element to their music that when it hits can have you bopping right along. If you get the chance to see them you should, you'll leave with a smile on your face.

Not only was the music at this show amazing...but the show started and ended on time. That was tight. Also the weird electronic music between sets by Freakingsnap was weird and awesome.

This is a salty snack blog, I guess I should also write some words about that. My wife brought me home these bags of Kurkure "Flavours from India" rice/corn twists. 

Masala Munch: smells like curry (I think). They look like, and have the crunch of, cheetos. Weeyow, these have a bit of a bite to em. The aftertaste is a mix of corn and chili pepper spice. The seasoning is curry (I believe) it's familiar, decent amount of chili powder in the mix. Tasty. If you get heartburn you should probably have some tums on hand.

Chilli Chatka: (same base corn snack as Masala Munch) smell like chili powder. oh, wow, that's an interesting flavour. It's like a mix of chili powder, garlic powder and something green. If these were a dish I could picture some sort of green/black leaves in there, but I don't know what those green/black leaves are. There's a bit of a bite, but not quite as aggressive as Masala Munch. 

Well, that's it for this month.

Stay hydrated,

Marc

  

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