Michigan

My wife and I just got back form a trip to the roots of classic rock,
Detroit, where we saw a free show by The Romantics (that wasn’t the
reason we were there).  We were in the same hotel with these guys and I got a chance to
chat with Wally Palmer, the sometimes singer often bass player,  for about 1 minute on our ride up to the 50th floor at
the Renaissance Hotel.  I said, “thanks for the show” and he said:
“right on”.  What else could I say?  Something like:  “The way you guys
played ‘What I Like About You’ totally knocked me out.  There was a
true fire there–even the third time you played it.  Man, and ‘Talking in Your Sleep’ never sounded so good.”  Ok, I shouldn’t
be a prick.  He was actually a very nice guy and perhaps I’m just
jealous these guys have made a living off of two mediorcre tunes. 
Whatever.  Rock on!

After leaving Detroit we headed to Ann Arbor, home of the University of
Michigan and what seemed like the largest Art Fair I’ve ever come
across.  Some folks call this stuff art, but I witnessed very little
‘truth and beauty’.  It was more like a crafts fair of objects I
couldn’t imagine actually buying.  Do people actually make a living
from this stuff?  But what really excited us was the Ear Fair taking place at a brewery called Leopold Bros.  It was great to get a chance to witness a thriving indie/folk/pop scene alive and well in Ann Arbor.  We got to the show at 9PM after being told by the folks at Leopold’s that the show might sell out and that industry types might be coming.  I had no idea.  I was there to see Canada.  The line up consisted of about ten acts each with 30 minutes to play.  It was an amazing variety of music from quiet acoustic folk to blues to hard rocking pop.  The last act was Canada.  They went on at 1:00AM!  By far the most interesting music came from the top three headliners: The Silent Years, Mason Proper and Canada. 

The Silent Years had that indie look and sound down complete with animal portrait tee’s and a combined band member weight of 150lbs.  They mostly played an edgy pop, but at one point they did do some toned down, melodic stuff that went over quite nicely, but it was the rocking, off balance, hoppy rock that got the crowd to finally get the nerve to surround the stage and sway.  I heard a bit of ‘Shudder to Think’ in their sound.  Immediately following came Mason Proper out of Detroit with an equally reverent, indie pop ensemble, but displaying a harder drumming and louder guitar rock.  At times they played a quirky, Devo type pop, but overall retained a very unique, can I say it? I must say it! NEW sound that everybody in the place seemed to be very familiar with.  Listen below for samples….

Canada was a much different crew.  Unlike the text book indieness of the former bands, Canada displayed a more authentic and ‘lived in’ style and sound.  They describe themselves as Folk Pop which is a good description, but don’t assume that means boring or holistic.  They were a very large ensemble led by accoustic guitars as well as two cello players (one of which is Amy who I had heard about Canada from).   The music was very soulful and to my pleasure the lyrics referenced trees in almost every song.  Amy rocked so hard that she actually broke her bow!  Regardless, she continued to play after bandaging it with electrical tape. 

Canada : Beige Stationwagon
Canada : Hexenhaus
Canada : Hooray for Shipwreck
Mason Proper : The World is Smaller Than You Think
Mason Proper : A Chance Encounter
Mason Proper : Mr. Charm
The Silent Years : Make Up
The Silent Years : Smoke Signals