Hello, Handsome

Over the past decade, the thriving Canadian alternative music scene has excited both fans and critics alike. There definitely has been a renaissance in Canadian independent music with bands like Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene and Wolf Parade amongst others being credited with spearheading the revolution. Together, they are in the process of making Canada one of the major capitals in the music world today.

Handsome Furs consists of a husband-wife duo with the husband, Dan Boeckner (who handles vocals and guitar) being none other than Wolf Parade’s frontman, whilst his other half Alexei Perry adds synths, beats and noise to what critics describe as a fusion of indie rock and synth punk. Handsome Furs are known for their ferocious sets, combining muscular drum machine assaults, shards of guitar noise and exuding a palpably strong emotional connection that shimmers down into the audience. Anyway you cut it; this band makes for an adrenalin rush of a live show.
 
Signed to one of the most prestigious US record labels’ Sub Pop’ (the very same label that launched the careers of Nirvana and Soundgarden and presently includes hot music properties like Fleet Foxes and Beach House under their banner) Handsome Furs have so far released two albums: 2007’s ‘Plague Park’ and 2009’s ‘Face Control’, both of which were widely celebrated by the music press.

Their music has been described as underlining “the confusion you feel as your best friends are conveyed to you via a series of ones and zeros passing through lines and cables and microwaves; the same confusion felt witnessing the pure, wholesome thrill of a band of musicians pouring their hearts out on stage, through someone’s cell phone as pixelated streaming video; the profound and bitter frustration of your long-distance relationship with the world up against a burning, alcohol-soaked sunrise as you admit some things you never thought you would; your constant feelings of inadequacy intertwined with the omnipotence modern technology grants us all.”

Sub Pop Records won’t be solely represented by Handsome Furs on the night however. Kentucky (US) singer-songwriter Daniel Martin-Moore will be kicking off the night with an acoustic set starting at 21:00 sharp. Certainly not an act to be missed, Martin-Moore has just released his second album called Dear Companion, and will arrive on the island having just completed a UK tour supporting Billy Bragg. Martin-Moore’s producer Jim James’ belief in the singer-songwriter is evident in his description of his latest record In The Cool of the Day: “God spoke to Moore that day through the ancient piano’s reverberant tones, and expanded upon an idea that had already planted itself in the young singer/songwriter’s head some time before: to make a “spiritual” album of time-tested, family gospel favorites remembered from growing up, but to also add a few new tunes of his own in the same vein.”

Local support comes in the form of Bark Bark Disco – “a bedroom pop band that will make you sing.” Still relatively unknown on the island but a huge hit on YouTube where their video for ‘Song for the Lovers’ has had over 350,000 views, Bark Bark Disco are sure to complete a fantastically eclectic line-up on a night which should easily hit the early hours of Sunday morning when alternative music guru DJ Bob will close off the show in typical aplomb. Dancing and partying assured.

Tickets at €15 are available online from www.maltaticket.com or from any Agenda, Exotique or Vodafone outlets. Tickets will sell at €18 at the door. For further enquires call 99846382.

Daniel Martin Moore comes in conjunction with Stagedive.