HOMESHAKE with MICHAEL RAULT at the Silver Dollar on April 9. Rating: NNNN
A couple of years ago, when Mac DeMarco pandemonium was really starting to set in, his touring guitarist Peter Sagar struck out on his own as Homeshake, a jazz-inflected groovy pop project. Most media coverage stressed Sagar’s connection to DeMarco – because SEO is a real thing that haunts us, guys. But if last night’s show was any indication, Sagar is well on his way to making us forget about his previous gig.
Backed by a four-piece band, the Montreal-based musician took the stage just after midnight to a packed crowd that erupted into a frenzy at the first beat of any of his better-known songs (Making A Fool Of You She Can’t Leave Me Here Alone Tonight) from last year’s LP, In The Shower. That album’s cool, sensual tones came across even stronger live, with Sagar’s lilting detached vocals floating above punctuated bass lines. (Homeshake are like the chill house band in the lounge we wish existed.) On the other hand, the live setting also emphasized the brevity of the band’s songs. Just as we were getting into a groove, the song would end abruptly and Sagar was onto the next.
Earlier, hometown fave Michael Rault warmed things up with a high-energy show, lush with the catchiest melodies of any local musician, soaring vocal harmonies and psychy guitar solos that were long-lasting but never indulgent. He played mostly songs from Living Daylight, which came out last year but is getting re-released later this month on Burger Records. Hopefully the re-release means more attention for Rault beyond Toronto – he certainly deserves it.
music@nowtoronto.com | @samedwardsTO
