Haitian Vodou rhythms and ambient electronic sounds come together in the music of Val Jeanty, a Haitian-born, New York-based musician, recording engineer and installation artist. As Val-Inc, she uses drum machines, samples and turntables to produce music with sculptural and spiritual dimensions.
Jeanty has collaborated with poets and visual artists, clocked time as a member of trip-hop group Wax Poetic and counts DJs QBert and Roc Raida of hip-hop turntabilist group X-Ecutioners as inspirations.
Given her broad spectrum of influences and experiences, she should add an interesting perspective to The New Black: Challenging Musical Tropes, a panel discussion that precedes Val-Inc’s concert. Bonjay’s Alanna Stuart moderates, and local rapper (and concert opener) Witch Prophet, Jazz FM host Garvia Bailey and CBC producer Amanda Parris are also on the panel.
At the Music Gallery (197 John) on Saturday (February 20), concert 8 pm. $15, adv $13. The New Black starts at 5 pm and is free. musicgallery.org.
INSULATOR w/ members of Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, Holy Fuck, Lido Pimienta, Doomsquad, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Not The Wind Not The Flag, Egyptrixx, JOOJ, Soupcans, Fucked Up Artscape Sandbox (301 Adelaide West), Thursday (February 18) Audio-virtual maze installation.
FONTO IN TORONTO w/ Loaf Muzik, Raz Fresco, Yasmine, DJ SunSun Double Double Land (209 Augusta), Thursday (February 18) Golden-era New York-inspired rap.
THE BESNARD LAKES, HEAT Horseshoe (370 Queen West), Thursday (February 18) Galactic shoegazers.
BLUE RODEO, THE STRUMBELLAS Massey Hall (178 Victoria), Thursday-Friday (February 18-19) Canadian country rockers.
ALMETA SPEAKS Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas West), Thursday (February 18) Beloved jazz/blues singer returns.
ENDLESS CITY FESTIVAL w/ Fresh Snow, Andrew Roy & Blue Light, Nailbiter Endless City (1161 Dundas West), Friday and Saturday (February 19-20) Experimental bands in pop-up gallery.
LONG WINTER w/ The Wooden Sky, For Esme, Pet Sun, DATU, Poster Boy, Dan Fortin, Walrus, Kyle Brenders and others Great Hall (1087 Queen West), Friday (February 19) Enter the Wild Social Jungle Gym.
BASIA BULAT Mod Club (722 College), Friday (February 19) See preview here.
DINAMO AZARI, ACTION, BOBBY LOVE, ECK & KATSU Velvet Underground (510 Queen West), Friday (February 19) Homegrown techno and house.
JENNYLEE Horseshoe (370 Queen West), Sunday (February 21) See preview here.
WAVVES, BEST COAST, CHERRY GLAZERR Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth), Monday (February 22) Cavalcade of indie rock stars.
ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER Drake Underground (1150 Queen West), Monday (February 22) See preview here.
GLASSJAW, SINGLE MOTHERS Opera House (735 Queen East), Wednesday (February 24) Long Island rockers end 13-year hiatus.
STEREO LIVE w/ Edwin Huizinga & Keith Hamm, Joseph Phillips, James Shields, Ben Plotnick, Adam Shier Campbell House (160 Queen West), Wednesday (February 24) Classical meets indie rock & bluegrass.
