The power of good music never ceases to amaze me. On a Wednesday night when the entire city was glued to screens watching the Montreal Canadians in the NHL playoffs, Bar Le Ritz was packed, from the very tip of the stage to the very back wall.
We weren’t there for cool rocker dudes shredding electric guitars or hot young girls dancing in their underwear. The stage was covered in violins, cellos, mandolins, and banjos. We were there for that feeling. The one you can’t exactly describe, but it can cause the hairs on your neck to rise or maybe a lump is formed in your throat. And sometimes you can feel your whole body tingle, so you close your eyes and allow the warmth to gently rush over you. Angelic voices harmonizing, the delicate plucking of a banjo, the poignant piercing of the violin and words that sit heavy on your chest. Songs that seem ancient yet timeless, carrying the emotional trauma of generations, past and present.
I mean, the name of the duo is Mama’s Broke, and they’re not singing about sunshine and lollypops. Hailing from Halifax, Amy Lou Keeler (lead vocals, guitar, banjo and fiddlesticks) and Lisa Marie (fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and vocals) celebrated the release of their latest album, Reunion, on May 27th. (the official launch will be on August 28, but the vinyl was available for purchase for the first time at the show.) And I can’t stop listening to it, especially the song Heaven.
“I don’t wanna go to heaven I just wanna get up off the ground”
They also played songs from their previous albums, which I appreciated because I’ve never seen them perform before.
They both had such a natural and warm stage presence that, although most of the songs were dark and depressing, they somehow conveyed humour and a lightness that created such an intimate and trusting mood in the tightly packed venue. There were anecdotes and a little warning about their imperfect French before singing a Cajun tune. The crowd went wild when they sang Dirty Mattresses (Count The Wicked). I wish I knew the names of all the songs and saw a set list, but unfortunately, I didn’t. I did, however, feel the energy of the crowd responding to the harsh lyrics and honest delivery of of some very haunting songs that were unforgettable. The Nameless, which is on the new album, is about how the lives of women and girls are often violently minimized and erased.
And the way they both effortlessly switched from banjos to guitars to fiddles and mandolins while their vocal harmonies never wavered was quite extraordinary. Sometimes the strongest words come from the softest voices.
Opening the show was Creekbed Carter who did a very short but entertaining set. They started off by holding a mirror and makeup pencil and asking us if we preferred a thin or thick mustache, and then proceeded to draw one on. The trans folk singer explained that even though they were taking testosterone, they still couldn’t grow a full mustache. And also let us know that their voice has changed somewhat s since they recorded their album Peasant’s Revolt which will be out on July 24. I enjoyed their guitar playing and sense of humour.
At around 10:45, much to my surprise, I found out that it would be a third band performing. Montreal’s very own El Balcon stepped onto the stage and began to set up their instruments. Upright bass, violins, acoustic guitars and an even an oud. This bevy of eclectic and dynamic musicians with their Mexican/Eastern European sound were quite a contrast to the previous artists. Lead vocalist Valeria stood front and centre on a wooden board, stomping, her feet flamenco-style as her voice quivered with passion. They came to party and got the crowd dancing in no time. I absolutely love their sound. Sadly, it was after 11 now and I’d been there for over three hours so I did not stay for the entire performance. I will, however, go see them again for sure, and I will bring my dancing shoes.
I can’t get this song out of my head.
Review and photos – Annette Aghazarian
