Concert Review: Mike Trask and the Precious Memories

I don't often do concert reviews, but I recently saw a show that I felt needed to be immortalized via the pages of the internet.

On April 5th some friends and I ventured into Halifax to see Mike Trask and the Precious Memories perform. They were doing their special three day album release tour for 'Album'. Album is a concept album if I have ever heard of one. Mike informed the audience that he and artist Benjamin Allain had decided to collaborate on a project back in December when Trask wanted Allain to paint for his website. Their collaboration started when they purchased a photo album from a thrift store for $1.25. Allain then created a collage from the photo album, and Trask then created a song inspired by the collage. Allain then painted a painting inspired by Trask's song, and Trask created another song. They continued this back and forth until there were 5 pieces of art and 5 songs. The finished product, aptly called Album was released at the Company House in Halifax on April 5th, Wilsers Room in Fredericton on April 6th and Plan B in Moncton April 7th.

I could go on about the premise of the project and Allain's fantastic contributions (including a live painting session), but I'd like to instead focus on the musical component of the evening. Mike Trask was joined by the Precious Memories, which included Becky Siamon, Owen Steel, David R. Elliott, and Adam Mowery, all of whom contributed to Album (with the exception of Owen). Trask and the members of the Precious Memories took turns singing the five tunes on Album, and closed the night with two cover tunes, Honky Tonk Blues by Hank Williams and Money (Thats What I Want) by Barrett Strong (made famous by The Beatles). I've seen Trask perform a handful of times, but never have I seen him perform like he did on Friday night. At the end of his set Trask explained that Allain had been a significant inspiration to him because Allain created art for the sake of creating art, not to please anyone else but himself, because "he really didn't give a fuck" about what anyone else thought of his work. Trask continued to say that for the first time since he singing out of tune accompanied by a couple of chords at the age of 13, he decided to do the same. For this, I applaud Allain. Seeing Trask come into his own on stage was a sublime experience.

The freedom in Trask's work on Album hits you even more so when he is on stage. Trask and the Precious Memories were incredibly tight, yet incredibly loose and fluid. Trask's stage presence was riveting and contagious. Between his banter and his groovin' you could tell he was in his element and presenting the audience with a project that he was truly proud of. The confidence that was exuded on that stage, all the while admitting to feeling very uncomfortable, was awesome. Not to mention all the talent that was backing him. The five piece created a show that was positively one of a kind. They all showed great passion towards 'Album' and all it has to offer.

 I would highly recommend checking out the album, and making sure to see Mike Trask and the Precious Memories if the opportunity ever presents itself to you. Trask said the group had plans to tour in the summer, so stay tuned to his facebook page for more details here.


You can listen to and purchase 'Album' here.

Tracklisting for April 4th

Hello listeners!

Here are the tunes I played on April 4th,

Japandroids- The House That Heaven Built
Grimes- Oblivion
Dan Mangan- Et Les Mots Croisés
Cold Specks- Hector
Brasstronaut- Slow Knots
Born Ruffians- What To Say
Basia Bulat- Heart of My Own
Bahamas- Till The Morning
Cousins- Khyber
Arkells- Where U Goin'
Mike Trask- Judy Moon
Sam Roberts Band- Let It In
The Dudes- Pretty Lies

Thanks for listening and much love.

Tracklisting for March 28th

Here are the songs I played on March 28th!

The Sheepdogs- The Way It Is
You Say Party!- There is XXXX(Within My Heart)
First Rate People- You Won't Get This Joke At All
Elliott BROOD- Graveyard
The Rural Alberta Advantage- Starman
Buck 65 feat. Jenn Grant- Who By Fire
Matt Mays- Queen of Portland Street
Said the Whale- Hope and Peace
Soho Ghetto- Anchor Tattoo
The Wooden Sky- Angelina
INO- Troubled Waters
Patrick Watson- Into Giants
Gianna Lauren- Anchor Down

Thanks for listening!

Tracklisting for March 21st

Hello Canadian music fanatics,

Here is the list of tracks I played on tonight's show! Most of the show was devoted to CBC Music's Searchlight competition. If you want to vote for some of your faves, go here! Voting for this round ends March 24th at midnight ET.

i.No- Mon Cheri
Close Talker- By The Lake
Motel Raphael- Ghosts
Poor Angus- Something I Can't See
Elton Adams- Gunslinger
Randi Boulton- Coffee Song
Sarah Smith- Shine Bright
Ambre McLean- So Over
The Good Ol' Goats- The Train
Rosie June- Figure 8
The Zolas- Knot In My Heart
Hey Ocean!- Big Blue Wave
Hannah Georgas- Somebody
Half Moon Run- Drug You

Thank you oh so much for listening. Only about 2 months left of shows for me, I'm pretty devastated!

Much love.

Tracklisting for March 14th- SXSW Special pt 2

Hey guys,

Here is the tracklisting for the show on March 14th. More SXSW bands for you all.

In-Flight Safety- Model Homes
The Trews- Hope & Ruin
The Wilderness of Manitoba- Echoes
The Tom Fun Orchestra- Animal Mask
Shout Out Out Out Out- Never The Same Way Twice
Paper Lions- Ghostwriters
Kestrels- There All The Time Without You
The Elwins- Stuck in the Middle
Hayden- Rainy Saturday
The Darcys- Shaking  Down The Old Bones
Buck 65- Fairytales
Humans- Possession
The Belle Game- Wait Up For You

Thank you so much for listening and for supporting campus/community radio!

Keep on keeping on (or creep on creeping on)

Much love.

p.s. a couple of SXSW samplers for y'all in case you missed them last week
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2013/03/hgtv-and-paste-announce-release-of.html 
http://www.npr.org/2013/03/01/173275533/the-mix-the-austin-100
http://www.sxswtorrent.com/

Tracklisting for March 7th- SXSW special

Hello listeners and Canadian music fanatics alike,

 Here are the tunes I played on my show! I hope you enjoyed 'em.

Chic Gamine- Days and Days
Elephant Stone- Heavy Moon
Caveman- In The City
Two Hours Traffic- Amour Than Amis
Imaginary Cities- Chasing The Sunset
Quiet Parade- Edge of The Ocean
Hannah Georgas- Ode To Mom
Said the Whale- Loveless
Dusted- Property Lines
City and Colour- Fragile Bird
Brendan Bensan- Swimming
Ron Sexsmith- She Does My Heart Good
Billy Bragg- Handyman Blues
Mac DeMarco- My Kind of Woman

As promised, here are a couple of links to some amazing SXSW samplers (where most of my tunes came from tonight).

http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2013/03/hgtv-and-paste-announce-release-of.html 
http://www.npr.org/2013/03/01/173275533/the-mix-the-austin-100
http://www.sxswtorrent.com/

Thanks for tuning in!

Much love,

Tracklisting for Feb. 28th

Hello listeners!

After my month long hiatus I'm back on the airwaves to bring you the finest tunes Canada has to offer. Here are the tracks I played on Feb. 28th

Heather Green- Salvation
Danielle Bailey- Whiskey and Women
Arkells- No Champagne Socialist
K-OS- BLondes
Jean-Paul Maurice- Kids
Trevor Stanley- At The Orpheum
Shad- Rose Garden
D-Sisive- When We Die We Die Together
Go Easy feat. Amelia Curran- Andrew James O'Brien
Morgan MacDonald- More Than Jus the Stars
JP Hoe- Learn To Let You Go
Latenite Automatic- Living Proof

Emphasis was put on artists that played at In The Dead of Winter music fest in Halifax.

Thanks for listening and much love,