All killer, no filler

All sorts of super sounds at the 10th
Suoni per il Popolo festival

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

If you’re a fan of underground and experimental music, the Suoni per il Popolo festival continues to be one of our city’s greatest gifts. Celebrating its 10th year of the best of noise, free jazz, ambient, psychedelic and other challenging forms of music, the fest’s 18 nights of shows at Casa del Popolo, la Sala Rossa and Il Motore (and in the case of the closing Isis/Cave In show, Club Soda) boasts its best line-up yet. The festival runs June 6–23, and the choices are pretty stacked.

Fans of electro-acoustic ambient soundscapes with heavily effected pop vocals are definitely going to want to catch the solo project of Liz Harris, Grouper, with local dronester Eric Quach’s thisquietarmy opening, on Tuesday, June 8. On Wednesday, June 9, don’t miss the return of local faves AIDS Wolf, who will obliterate Casa. Now slimmed down to a trio, AIDS Wolf have only gotten harsher and more intense. They’re preceded by the psychedelic dub jams of Pocahaunted, who aren’t afraid to let their funk fly.

Ambient and drone music are definitely making their presence known at this year’s Suoni, and one of the best bands in the field is Cleveland’s improv-oriented Emeralds. If the recent reaction to them at New York City’s No Fun Fest is any indication, their gig at Casa del Popolo on Thursday, June 10, could prove to be a festival highlight. On Friday, June 11, check out the straight-up fuckery of New York City legends No Neck Blues Band with the synth-driven psychedelic sounds of Stellar Om Source opening.

One of the most anticipated bands of the festival would have to be Oneida (Saturday, June 12 at Casa). Their last, epic record, Rated O, was one of the most impressive releases last year, but live, they prove to be a hulking beast. Competing across the street at la Sala Rossa on the same night is the mind-altering noise of Wolf Eyes members Hair Police with the amazing ambient soundscapes of Noveller.

Suoni also proves its diversity with the inclusion of some serious hip-swaying rock ’n’ roll, including the super-solid bill of Memphis garage legends Reigning Sound with fellow “real” rock ’n’ roll legends the A-Bones from New York City and Montreal’s own Bloodshot Bill taking up the sweat-act slot. This is a guaranteed rager, so don’t be a putz and show up early at la Sala Rossa on Thursday, June 17. On Friday, June 18, Sala should be packed to the gills when the raw synth sounds of Los Angeles’s Health make their Suoni debut. With all of the hoopla attached to Health’s last release, Get Color, you better not gamble and get tickets now.

Capping off the fest on Wednesday, June 23, is the post-metal of Isis and Cave In. This won’t just be the very last time Isis will ever perform in Montreal, as they are finally calling it a day. This Montreal date will also be their last show—ever! This one will be truly bittersweet and is guaranteed to be as intense and enthralling as it will be historic and heartbreaking.

FOR MORE, GO TO
SUONIPERILPOPOLO.ORG