Monday 28 June 2010



Local boys in the photograph:
S.C.E.N.E. Music Festival 2010

The Roxwells @ S.C.E.N.E. 2010 (photo: J. Di Gioia)

What I learned at the S.C.E.N.E. Music Festival yesterday:  a) I’m a shit photographer; b) I’m a delicate flower who wilts in the heat and humidity.  Okay, honestly?  I already knew both of those facts, but basking in the busking and hustle and bustle of St. Catharines Market Square on Sunday, I pretty much confirmed my previous suspicions.  Though the day started out on the muggy and humid side, like all good Canadians, the crowd complained about the weather but didn’t let that stop the fun.  I’ll admit, most of the bands on this year’s bill aren’t necessarily my cup of tea, and if S.C.E.N.E. hadn’t been happening in my backyard I probably wouldn’t have gone out of my way to attend, but I’m glad I did.  That leads me to the third thing I learned at S.C.E.N.E., and again it’s something that I always suspected, but now have confirmed:  Niagara rocks.  For real.

I get the impression from my fellow countrymen that Hamilton and all points south get dismissed as being working class, industrial wasteland, or fruit farms.  That may be so, but the soil down here is also ripe for growing a host of young artists struggling to make sense of their situation, fighting to be heard by the powers that be in the bigger centres, and damn proud of the supportive community around them.  If Toronto is the Canadian equivalent of New York City, then the Niagara region is our very own New Jersey, nurturing our own Springsteens and Yo La Tengos, and yeah, probably our Jon Bon Jovis, too.

Case in point:  The Roxwells, who call Niagara Falls home.  Last month, this three piece claimed the Rocksearch Championships, sponsored by local radio station 97.7 HTZFM, and as the first act of the day to take to the D-TOX.com/ExploreMusic Main Stage in Market Square, they easily proved why.  The crowd may have been sparse, but spirits were high as these guys played their own brand of bluesy, barroom/indie rock.  Just listen to the scorching vocals from James Gizzie on “No More Cigarettes”–no 20 year old should sound this weathered and ragged:

MP3: The Roxwells “No More Cigarettes”
Myspace: The Roxwells
Facebook: The Roxwells

Yeah, there were some familiar names at S.C.E.N.E., too.  Shad tore up the Main Stage, proving that he’s one of Canadian hip-hop’s brightest lights, and Arkells (who played a secret show with The Roxwells the night before) showed the crowd at Barracuda Pretty that they are a band to keep an eye on, but the whole purpose of S.C.E.N.E. has always been to celebrate great new music being made in and around Niagara.  That’s why it was so great to see so many local artists coming higher up the roster than some of the bigger names.  I had a very short chat with Shane Turner of St. Catharines’ Waterbodies over at the merchandise table, and we talked about how great it is having a vehicle for local talent to play to local music fans, alongside some of the bigger names who don’t usually stop in Niagara on a regular tour schedule.  There is a market between Buffalo and Toronto, and it’s hungry for music.

Stream: Waterbodies “Crickets (Are Loud Little Creatures)”
Myspace: Waterbodies

For years, Joe Lapinski and his Yummy Recordings roster of artists have been turning out great records and gigging non-stop in town, building the scene that’s given way to S.C.E.N.E.  Lapinski and his pals in Bronx Cheerleader, the last band to take the stage at the Merchant Ale House last night, were recently featured on CBC Radio’s Definitely Not The Opera with Sook-Yin Lee, and listening to that interview made me well up with some pride.  I’ve been talking about them on QBiM for awhile now, and it’s about time the rest of Canada took notice.

MP3: Bronx Cheerleader “Camelot”
MP3: Bronx Cheerleader “Hollywood Ending”
Myspace: Bronx Cheerleader
Facebook: Bronx Cheerleader
Twitter: Bronx Cheerleader

The great thing about festivals like S.C.EN.E. is that, regardless of your own musical tastes or the kinds of bands on the bill, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll come away having discovered an artist that you didn’t know or appreciate before.  Even better if said artists also happen to be your neighbours.  I kept checking tweets about S.C.E.N.E. all day, and it was great to hear that someone had run into the guys in Attack In Black, hometown heroes and S.C.E.N.E. alumni.  It’s awesome to know that they came out to support their own, and I’m glad I did too, even if I took shitty pictures and got a little dehydrated in the process.





by J. Di Gioia | Comments Off

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