Categories: Live PreviewMusic

Frequent Arcade Fire collaborator and Oscar-nominee Owen Pallett plays Sala Rossa Friday

Owen Pallett is a renaissance man. Formally known as Final Fantasy, he is an Oscar-nominated composer, award-winning songwriter, conductor, violinist, keyboardist and vocalist. It seems there is little this Canadian auteur isn’t capable of.

2014 has seen some pretty impressive output from Pallett. Earlier this year, he was nominated for an Academy Award (alongside William Butler of Arcade Fire) for Best Original Score for their contribution to Spike Jonze’s Her soundtrack, and on May 27 he will release his 4th solo album via Domino / Secret City Records.

Titled In Conflict, Pallett took a more autobiographical route on this album, replacing his recognizable video game and sci-fi inspired subject matter with themes that hit closer to home.

The two singles released, “On a Path” and “The Riverbed” stay true to Pallett’s style: moody art-pop interwoven with dreamy samples, lively looped harmonies and Pallett’s powerfully distinctive vocals that seem to flutter effervescently alongside his melodies. Pallett knows how to captivate; his arrangements are cinematic in their detail and motion. His lyrics are soulful, sly and self-depreciating. His music is rich, warm and accessible.

His live performances transcend his music.  Once you’ve seen him on stage, solo with nothing but a violin and a loop pedal, it will become clear just how ambitious and poignant Pallett is as an artist.

Opening for Pallett is fellow Ontarian Airick Woodhead, known as Doldrums. His whimsical, percussive electro-pop is reminiscent of an edgier Animal Collective.  His heavily textured high-falsetto vocals cut through the tribal thumping drums and modulated subterranean harmonies. Stringing together the story of a dystopian sci-fi dream realm, his album Lesser Evil is recounted through his haunting lyrics, his murky and emotional samples, and his playful loops.

Pallett is a long time supporter of Doldrums, and both now call Montreal their home.

Hoping to be whisked away to a labyrinth of dreams this Friday? This show will definitely deliver a trip.

Owen Pallett
Doldrums
La Sala Rossa
Friday, May 9th
20:00 PM

$20 / $23
Tickets available at http://blueskiesturnblack.com/

 

Amanda Harvey

Share
Published by
Amanda Harvey

Recent Posts

image+nation LGBT2SQUEER Film Festival Brings 150 Films to Montreal This Month

image+nation -- Canada's longest-running queer film festival -- returns with 150 films this November. Check…

1 day ago

Making Waves Montreal Offers Free Hong Kong Film Screenings This Month

The Making Waves film festival offers free screenings of recent Hong Kong films in Montreal…

1 month ago

Jinjer Packed Montreal’s MTelus With Hanabie and Born of Osiris [Photos]

Ukrainian metal band Jinjer packed out Montreal's MTelus with support from Japan's Hanabie and metalcore…

2 months ago

Lorna Shore Kicked Off the Pain Remains Tour at a Sold-Out MTelus in Montreal [Photos]

Lorna Shore topped a stacked bill including Whitechapel, Kublai Khan TX, and Sanguisugabogg.

2 months ago

Idles Brought the Tangk Tour to Montreal’s MTelus For Two Sold-Out Shows [Photos]

UK punk band Idles played two explosive sets this weekend at Montreal's MTelus with support…

2 months ago

NOFX Played Their Last-Ever Shows in Montreal (Photos)

NOFX played their largest-ever show on Saturday before 20,000 fans in Montreal.

3 months ago