Kid Koala
Sunday, September 12 | 1:30 am
St. George’s Church (Mitchell Hall) | $20 general
Not only is Kid Koala one of the premier turntable artists in the world, but he is also a forward-thinking multi-disciplinary artist who, for one, has been an innovator in the combination of music with graphic arts and fiction.
His debut album, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, on the estimable Ninja Tunes label, garnered widespread acclaim for both his virtuoso musicianship and for the 32-page comic that was included in the packaging. The success of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome brought Kid Koala to significant international attention, particularly with his pairing in performance with Radiohead and Björk.
Then, the ever-ambitious artist followed up with a 350-page illustrated book called Nufonia Must Fall, complete with a soundtrack that he composed for piano. He has released two subsequent records on Ninja Tune, "Some of My Best Friends Are DJs" (with 50-page comic book and mini chess set) and "Your Mom's Favorite DJ."
Kid Koala's work - both on record and in performance - combines both a rare instrumental command and a careful rethinking of the role of the DJ as performer. Conventions dictate that flashy demonstrations of speed are the hallmark of turntable artistry; instead, Kid Koala uses his instrumental palette to weave stories through sound. In this way, he is one of a handful of key musical thinkers at work in Canada today.
Tickets available at the River Run Centre Box Office (35 Woolwich Street), call (519) 763-3000 or order on line.
co-presented with The Guelph Jazz Festival, Sept.8-12.
Alexisonfire
Sunday, September 12 | 7:30 pm doors | all ages
Peter Clark Hall | Univ. of Guelph | Door: $28 ug student | $35 campus community & signed in guests
"Alexisonfire is the product of five kids from the liberal, suburban paradise of Southern Ontario. The band started as an escape from the banalities of adolescence; basically, it was something to do on the weekend. All five of us were active in our local music scene, which consisted mostly of kid promoted shows at local union halls.
I think it is important to note, that we were hardly ambitious. Most of our success was a product of our own dumb luck. When the band started in 2001 there was no future in playing "screamo" music. No chance of getting our song on the radio. No chance of making a video or getting it played. But who cares about that stuff anyway. We were drunk on youth and invincible in our own minds. Times eventually would change in our favour." — George Pettit
Tickets available Saturday at the Brass Taps, Sunday at the door. $2 extra at door.
co-presented by the Central Student Association and University Centre Programming.