Chris-A-Riffic

Vancouver's Chris-A-Riffic is a member of Kill Rock Stars band They Shoot Horses Don't They and a brilliant solo artist in his own right. Kristen Cudmore reports on a recent concert...

On what we know as Good Friday (March 21, 2008) I was a lucky audience member to witness some very great acts and some OK acts. So I guess ‘Good’ would be the word to average our very great and OK evening.

The signs of spring brought people out on the brisk but sunny evening to Little Mountain Studios in the diverse neighborhood of Main Street in Vancouver. Having read the poster online led me to believe I was late for the event. I hopped on my bike at 6PM in a rush to a show which didn’t actually start until it was nearing 9PM. But to their defense having a line up of 5 bands would only mean that it would be a lot of set up and organization.

The show was put on to fundraise for Simon Fraser University’s Art Students. While the long wait continued I managed to enjoy a cupcake from Greenbelt’s bake sale and the wonderful company of newly engaged Chris-a-riffic and Allison among many other friends, acquaintances and fellow musicians.

Little Mountain is an art community hub on Main Street which is Co-operatively run with amazing artists in residence and awful neighbors. The venue had just undergone some basic renovations to make the sound more collapsible, the room more open and hopefully the result has kept the neighbors from making more noise complaints.

While the supposed first act Nut Brown was awaiting a microphone set up, Chris-a-riffic took it upon himself to get the night started. People slowly began filtering in as he gathered chairs around the weathered piano against the side wall (usually he performs with his Rhodes). He sat on an extended bench and started to play from memory banks one of his catchiest songs. With his virtuosic upbeat bluesy piano playing skills, his slap seat drum beat and his chant like gospel vocals he was quickly coupled with Allison who sang harmonies from her chair in the audience. He continued the set with his tell-tale songs with an incomparably warm and fun personality. He then swung around and asked the audience if they wanted to know what the songs were about. To everyone’s excitement they cheered over and over wondering what his unbelievably honest words drew from and how he sculpted them in such a light hearted way. He then laughed as if to say shucks and finished with an amazing display of his piano skills, so humbly arranged like it was an entire orchestra. The imagination can hear what parts are what; bass, melody and harmonic textures. He then giggled in a way that seemed like he was trying to hold in his enthusiasm as everyone cheered for more. He then announced that Nut Brown was ready and the show must go-on, there were still 4 acts to follow.

Nut Brown came on regarding to Chris-a-riffic as if he were crazy to have played first because at this point the room was packed. He showed his gratitude by playing an astonishing set himself. He often called on Chris-a-riffic for another song. Nut Brown is a duo of Hammond Organ and synths, pre-recorded drums and amazing vocals. The organ player had a very indie-pop vibe to her rhythm and sound choices. While playing off of the ipod drums, she created a sound-scape that made heads bop. This would then pair with the vocals of Nut Brown, dressed in all brown, owned the microphone with his gruff and perfectly suited voice. He controlled the ipod drums while introducing the next song he would accidentally cue the one he just sang. This was a pretty funny moment for everyone watching, since it happened about 3 times in a row. When it was all sorted, he sang with such emotion that his happiest love songs left everyone captivated and also feeling overwhelmingly magnificent.

From Chris-a-riffic (pretty much a solo act at this show), to Nut Brown (a duo), left the stage to an organic trio piece called the Wind Whistles. Comprising of drums, acoustic bass guitar and acoustic guitar; the band created a shuffle feel, brining the energy to a new height and focus. Not to mention, it was something completely different, more of an indie folk twist to this group. With minor sound problems, it just didn’t do them justice but the point came across. Advocating lyrics paired with fun strumming patters, basic root patterns on the bass and a shuffle-like style on the drums made way for the group to deliver their message in a light and fun way. The drummer in particular had a very energetic stage presence and introduced new sounds to the songs with bells and harmonies. The leading couple (bass/ guitar) and what I would assume, the authors of the music, introduced 2 new songs. These songs made it obvious to me that they were trying to broaden their sound spectrum and it deemed to be successful.

By this point, people that were seated were now booted from their chairs as it was mandatory to dance to the next act, Apollo Ghost. This group was made up of SFU Art students. The group was a dorky fun experience with lead singer/ electric guitarist who had more shticks up his sleeve than you shake a snake at: fake money, a bad apple, bouncy balls… need I say more! He had his amusing back talking girlfriend drummer who would egg him on mid-set and their silent partner and probably third wheel on the bass. He played the role of the glue and pretty much performed expressionless, probably because there was so much energy coming from sarcastic front man and his back lady. The set made people laugh and each song would end out of nowhere and he’d finish by saying, “That’s it.” The first song, “No Money!” was introduced by him asking people if they had money and followed by him throwing photocopied money to the crowd. The indie pop punk song recited “NO MONEY” over and over again. Quite like their song, “She’s a Bad Apple.” That song started by him pulling a bad apple out of his pocket, identifying it as a bad apple and then him smashing it on the floor. People seemed to have fun, it’s a band that would be impossible to take seriously but that is also part of the shtick. By the end they made a couple remarks that could have been understood as racist and the audience didn’t really seem to know how to react. My suggestion was to quit while you’re ahead. We could have done without the last song/ remarks. Overall it was a memorable set and they probably got out of it what they wanted to, sans the last song.

By this point I was ready to put in my time card but stayed for a couple of tunes by Greenbelt. This group has put together loose criteria. There are a few main people that hold it together, do the bake sale and organize the shows but pretty much they have 12 members. The ones who want to play show up, sometimes they have 7, sometimes they have more. Their basic idea is, have fun with music. They have a very indie pop style and they write really fun and catchy songs. From what I have seen, they have a big following and a great attitude. I wouldn’t go out of my way to grant too much musical credibility but if they can construct a great song and manage that many people who may have had a few piano lessons when they were eight or played percussion in high school band, they have been successful. The core members though can hold it down and they can really create a party. These traits are some things most people can’t do and the more people you add the more confusing it can get but they make it work.

Little Mountain Studios was the perfect venue for the event. This is the type of Vancouver venue we want to keep a float. It’s intimate and you can always couple art forms here. If you haven’t been to Little Mountain it’s on the west side of Main St at East 26th Ave. If you’re viewing art, leave a little donation when you go. If you’re going to see an event there paying a little extra to Little Mountain would be a great way to say thank you.

Photo by David Look

www.myspace.com/chrisariffic

Kristen Cudmore