We are Wolves @ Lee's Palace
By: Peter Bremner
Music is changing. Whether you find that a comfortable thought or not is immaterial; the fact remains that the music landscape is shifting, right down to the core, and this is a trend that will undoubtedly continue. On Friday March 9th, the just-about-capacity crowd at Lee's Palace was shown just how far music has traveled, with a truly abstract performance by the Montreal-based three-piece, We Are Wolves.
Take a dash of Ladytron; substitute in a male vocal; add a side of Whirlwind Heat; a large video screen; a synth; a guitar; a drummer that doesn't sit down; a band that sings in both national languages; mix 'em together and you have the raw, electric and supremely arty We Are Wolves.
Accompagnied by images of all descriptions flashing behind them, We Are Wolves slashed through their hour at Lee's. Coupled with the sounds from the stage — symphonic fuzz and shouting lyrics — these images could have been or meant anything. Added to that, for much of the performance, these gentlemen were singing bilingually. Under other circumstances, this might have been considered odd or difficult to approach, yet, on this night, it worked. The raspy and throaty male vocals were an added bonus and they brought an extremely cohesive vibe to the show.
Looking at straight talent and ability, WAW has got its share. Despite the potential conflict between the flurry of activity from all sides of the stage, the videos and the crowd, the band was able to play through and maintain the vibe the entire evening. Add elements such as the sound one is able to achieve while playing a drum kit standing up, as opposed to sitting down, and the fact that the trio were switching instruments the whole night, and you're left with a very off-beat, yet satisfying affair.
We Are Wolves bring something very distinct to their music, something that is highly experimental but by the same token, is wildly interesting and approachable. Fortunately for the Friday night CMW crowd at Lee's, the band brought that something on stage with them and it totally worked.
Click here for more of Soundproof's CMW 2007 Festival coverage.
