Toronto based singer-songwriter Jason Collett returned to Victoria for a midweek show at Lucky Bar in support of his latest studio effort, Song & Dance Man.
If there’s one thing I really enjoy about seeing Ottawa’s Kalle Mattson live, it’s his hilarious banter. Well, that and I’m a big fan of his music. That’s why it was a shame that Victoria couldn’t get off their duff and get to Lucky Bar early that night to see Kalle’s set.
The dance floor that held 10 people. Three of them photographers. One of those photographers knew most of Kalle’s songs (give me a break, he played some new music that hasn’t been released yet). Between songs and guitar swaps he noted the acoustics of the empty bar and how people should come forward to enjoy his songs. Several times throughout his set a smirk would creep across his face as the air-dryer from the bathroom would get used completely drowning out his set. It was an annoying joke that no one seemed to get as it happened over and over again.
During Kalle’s set I noticed he had photographs taped to his guitar after the show I had a chance to ask him what they were. He told me one was of his mom and the other of his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie. I never got the meaning behind either, because we were interrupted by a drunk guy, but I thought it was neat.
Jason Collett always seems to play Victoria in the middle of the week. I don’t know if that’s just how his tour schedule always works out, but it kind of sucks. Both times I’ve seen him play in Victoria, it’s been to a half-filled Lucky Bar. That half is filled with Arts & Crafts nerds, CBC Radio 3 geeks, and aging hipsters. I’m sure there are a few who converge in the centre of that Venn diagram.
Lately, Jason Collett has been touring with Zeus (a fellow Arts & Crafts label mate) as his backing band. Unfortunately, Zeus didn’t get to shine as brightly as they should that night, as Jason Collett’s new crooner persona took over the stage. Think a less hairy version of Father John Misty, but just as faux-suave. His sly vocals painted life into his songs like Singing American, Love You Babe, and I Wanna Rob a Bank.
Strangely, the most energetic song of the night was also their last: a cover of the Hall & Oates’ She’s Gone. It seemed like the Jason Collett and Zeus’ excuse to have fun and break out of their mould for the evening. It just seemed like too little too late and the crowd was ready to call it a night.
