Friday saw Nova Scotian electronic mavericks, JOYFULTALK, perform at Toronto’s Array Space for Wavelength’s monthly music series.
After a pleasant walk through Trinity Bellwoods park, I headed up a sparkling silver ramp, followed by a flight of stairs which opened onto a small library of books. Turning right led me to what is a nicely sized, DIY event space. However, do be warned that after heading out of the loo, you might get lost in Array Space’s labyrinth of tunnels!
First support came in the form of Isla Den, a Toronto based electronic duo with a warm organic sound. Stacked TV sets provided a wash of glowing glitchiness as emerald tones rang from the speakers, wiggling before arriving in the ears of the audience like snakes trying to find their way home.
Ellie Manning’s heavily effected vocoder style approach cut through the mix nicely, as Isla Den created a cohesive world. The set also included a surprise cover of a classic dance track.
Next, roll up Mimico, who have been a name on the scene now for a number of years. The rabble, comprising of guitar/vocals, analogue synthesizers and drums, locked into the hypnotic arpeggiated sequences of Ben Ogniz and rocked them for all they were worth.
The percussion explored the rhythmic spaces in the loops with the band becoming almost krautrock at times, especially combined with some heavy, squealing guitar lines. Mimico recently released an EP via Sonic Boom, called, you guessed it… Mimico EP. That’s the Mimico EP by Mimico. Mimico.
The night closed with JOYFULTALK, who you probably noticed I already called ‘mavericks’ at the start of this piece. Funnily enough, I stumbled across them at The Garrison a few years back when they supported a great English artist called Micachu (coincidentally, my first ever Toronto Guardian review (how cute)).
Back then they were performing as a three-piece and literally blew me off of my perch. Spoiler alert, they didn’t let me down this time either.
Jay Crocker and Shawn Dicey manipulate and tweak a plethora of knobs and cables that I don’t quite understand. Despite its electronic nature, have no doubt that their setup is very much ‘alive’.
I would describe their sound as being both experimental and progressive, yet hooky, with plenty of elements for the audience’s ears to grab ahold of.
Winding in and out of different soundscapes, the beats pierced through the mix. JOYFULTALK would definitely fit in with the ravers (well, those with a slightly more progressive taste at least). Funnily enough they would also be just as at home behind glass in a museum, or performing, like they did, at this year’s Nuit Blanche festival.
There’s no point in me even trying to describe what they sound like with words – I’d just cut to the chase and go give their new record Plurarity Trip a listen. Alternatively, if my words on Isla Den has your interest peaked, head to their world, or for that previously mentioned Mimico EP… hazzah!
More of a voyeur? Check Wavelength Music’s website for details of more local programming. If you give it half a chance, there’s an awful lot of great stuff going on in this city that will pay you back ten times over in both worldly knowledge and good times.
