MASTERFULLY MELANCHOLY
Mo Kenney makes darkness shine
MO KENNEY When: Jan. 18
Where: Amigos
What: “We have a cat, the cat is our kid. When we break up, we’ll have to split him in half.” The 35-second opening to Mo Kenney’s album The Details is both funny and, if you’re a pet lover like me, a little heartbreaking. Such is the general vibe of her awesome 14-track collection. She’s explosive and personal in the work, which combines “elements of bruising rock ’n’ roll, vivid psychedelia, and haunting, left-of-the-dial pop.” The album, her third, marks a difficult time for Kenney, who is travelling down to rock bottom: “Depressed with dark blues and drinking like a fish, unable to hold herself or her relationships together, alienating the people she loves, and living hell-bent on oblivion.” While I wish none of those things on a person, I’m impressed she was able to channel that dark time into such a fantastic piece of work. Kenney’s show is part of the third-annual Winterruption. Another one of my favourites, the brilliant and weird Chad VanGaalen, plays Amigos two nights later.
KILLJOY AND MORE
When: Jan. 20
Where: Capitol Music Club What: I’m into combining passions. For example, I am passionate about both potato chips and sandwiches. Have you ever put the two together? Oh, yeah! This show combines another two of my passions, live music and puppies. Groups like Killjoy, Mostly Wanted and The Key of J are banding (please don’t stop reading after that horrible pun) together to support the Humboldt SPCA. If that doesn’t get you out of the house, there may be no hope for you. Also on the bill are Gargyles, Silver Hound and Regina’s Hearts&Knives.
DANIEL CHAMPAGNE
When: Jan. 24
Where: The Bassment
What: Daniel Champagne followed in the footsteps of his musical father, first picking up a guitar at age five. If I had followed in my father’s footsteps I’d be a poultry scientist. I did pick up a chick at age five, but I quickly put it down when it pooped in my hand. How different things could have been. Champagne is an Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist. His latest album is called Fault Lines, which coincidentally is what I call the wrinkles etching ever deeper between my eyebrows. Champagne’s been on the road since age 18 and is touring Canada coast to coast for the next two months with his soothing acoustic tunes.