AN ELECTRIC SOUND
A Tribe Called Red’s traditional powwow rhythm and heavy electronic music among concerts to watch for this week,
Live music highlights Dec. 8 to 14:
A Tribe Called Red “R.E.D.” In 2008, three First Nations DJs started a popular Ottawa club night, underpinning their mixes with traditional powwow rhythm and vocal samples. That created the foundation for today’s heavy electronic collective pumping up the polemics on third slab We Are the Halluci Nation, with the powerful poetry of late native American activist John Trudell and guest rappers Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) and Narcy riding a soundscape of throat singing and thundering drum group recordings from luminaries such as Black Bear Singers. Like Public Enemy before them, their style draws you in and the message bowls you over. Alt-hip hop vet Saul Williams guests. Note: this pick of the week has been moved from the Phoenix to the recently renovated spot formerly known as the Sound Academy. (Friday, Rebel, doors 9 p.m.) Future Peers “Time We Went Away” The Toronto outfit has been around as Boys Who Say No, but on their “debut” LP as Future Peers something Phoenix-style emerges (not just the myth; that band is an obvious influence, along with Wolf Parade) and it’s evident this rebrand is both revision and recharge. “The time it went away from us/it lost us,” Luke Correia-Damude auto-coos while the foursome pours on brainy, melodic dance rock of sharp hooks, left-turn effects and thumping beats. Though sometimes their reach exceeds their grasp, the highs are up in the clouds and the bottom runs to viscous; hardly the work of rookie debutants. They’re worth keeping a sharp eye on. Hamilton garage band Billy Moon sets ’em up. (Friday, Baby G, doors 9 p.m.) James Chance and the Contortions “Melt Yourself Down” Under a variety of banners, Chance was the most manic and funny frontman New York’s post-punk no-wave era produced, crisply turned out and wailing and honking through originals and thrice-baked covers. He’s never really gone away, but the question now for greying fans is how much of that old black magic remains. New LP The Flesh is Weak makes a return to the circa 1980 Contortions form and formula. Longtime wing man/producer Tomas Doncker is among the pedigreed band that joins Chance at a spot that goes back to that same era. (Saturday, Rivoli, doors 9 p.m. ) Secret Keeper “In Time You Yell” When superb chord improviser Mary Halvorson (a twisted version of master guitarist George Van Eps) teamed up with Grammy-nominated post-Bop bassist and composer Stephan Crump, New York’s Secret Keeper was born. With critical recognition (“gripping, edge-of-your-seat soundscapes”) came second album Emerge and this fall tour. While their angular music demands undivided listener attention, what shouldn’t be overlooked is the sense of fun and studied zaniness emanating from their pointed and scrappy left-field jazz. And Halvorson can shred, too. T.O.’s beautiful dream-pop weirdos Bernice open. (Saturday, Ratio, doors 9 p.m.) Steve Hauschildt “Horizon of Appearances” The Cleveland synth man’s techno has always forgone thump in favour of subtler shape-shifting, so it should come as no surprise that latest Strands, his fourth record since the disbanding of his Emeralds group three years ago, shimmers and twinkles like a northern sky. These are soundscapes that you want to lie underneath and chill to, though as Hauschildt points out in his release notes, it ain’t all starlit nights and fluffy towels: “I wanted to try and capture that moment in nature and society where life slowly re-emerges through desolation, so it has a layer of optimism looming underneath.” That sounds perfect for this cramped upstairs space in Kensington. Locals Memorex and Castle If will be along, making for a triple shot of trippy. (Sunday, Double Double Land, 9 p.m., tickets at the door) The Struts “Kiss This” Luke Spiller lays on the glitter, eyeliner and an r-rolling sneer as the frontman for “England’s newest glam-rock heroes,” as Rolling Stone puts it. It’s not really novel, but they wear the frippery well. And they picked up some local fans at WayHome over the summer and Adelaide Hall last winter, part of a heavy touring schedule off 2014 debut LP Everybody Wants. Given their no-nonsense riffage, party-hearty ethos and Spiller leading the singalongs they should own this sold-out place. (Tuesday, Opera House, doors 7 p.m.)