one in ten words: ellevator

Showing posts with label ellevator. Show all posts

September 6, 2021

Ellevator at The Phoenix Concert Theatre - Concert Photos

Ellevator at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on August 26, 2021 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer

It was March 11 of 2020 the last time I photographed a live band or saw a live band in an actual venue. March 2020 seems like a lifetime ago. Another world. So much has changed outside of the pandemic; but that’s a story for another time and place. What stayed the same is my love of music and especially of live music.

An Ellevator show was the perfect event to bring me out of hiding and back into a venue with a camera. The Hamilton quartet quickly became one of my favourite bands after the very first time I saw them perform back at Riverfest Elora in 2016.

For this show, Indie 88's Back at It show number one, they opened with a quiet version of "St. Cecilia". They cranked things up for a powerful set that included "Hounds", a new song, their excellent cover of "Running Up That Hill", "Struggle/Lost" and more. I found the last song cathartic with singer Nabi Sue Bersche sat on the front edge of the stage singing her heart out. Such great intensity with an intimate feel to end the set.

It was definitely a different vibe with a small, seated audience; but I’m not complaining. I felt like I was new again. It was so good to be back in a live music venue seeing a band again. And I’m happy it could be one of my favourites.

Behind the camera, I felt a little different. Rusty. I felt that my muscle memory was badly faded. I felt a little out of sorts. That will sort itself out pretty quickly.

If you want to check out my other pics of Ellevator from past shows, click on these links to them at Hillside 2019, at Longboat Hall, at The Danforth Music Hall, at Riverfest Elora 2018, at Field Trip 2018, and at Riverfest Elora 2016.

Please check out some of Ellevator's music:

"Easy"

"St. Cecilia"

"Hounds"

"Running Up That Hill"

August 31, 2019

Hillside 2019: Day 1: Ellevator - Concert Photos

Ellevator at Hillside Festival on Friday, July 12, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer

Ellevator at Hillside Festival on Friday, July 12, 2019 Photo by Sarah Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer

Since first seeing them at Riverfest Elora 2016, I've been enthralled with Ellevator's music. The first listening of "St. Cecilia" grabbed my ears and dragged me in. Seeing the name Ellevator on a concert listing or on a festival bill always lifts my mood because I know I’m going to get a passionate and engaging show filled with amazing music.

I don’t have to tell you that this Hillside Festival show met and exceeded my expectations. A festival set always leaves one wanting for more due to their more abbreviated length. This set managed to cram in familiar tunes, new tunes and a great cover of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill", all with the passion, energy and presence that Ellevator keeps amping up with each show I witness.

If you’re not familiar with them, please check out some tunes below, and if you see their name on the concert listings near you, I wholeheartedly recommend seeing them.

All my Hillside 2019 coverage can be accessed through this main post here. My other photos of Ellevator can be found by clicking on the venue names: Longboat Hall, The Danforth Music Hall, Riverfest Elora 2018, Field Trip and Riverfest Elora 2016. This post features photos made by Sarah Ordean. Check out more of her work on Instagram.

"New Survival"

"Running Up That Hill"

"Voices"

"St. Cecilia"

May 7, 2019

Ellevator at Longboat Hall at The Great Hall - Concert Photos

Ellevator at Longboat Hall at The Great Hall on April 5, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer

I've expressed my love for Hamilton Ontario indie rock band Ellevator's music and live performances many times now. I've seen them a bunch of times, and will pretty much see them any time I can.

This was a very cool show where they headlined Toronto's Longboat Hall at The Great Hall on West Queen West. They overcame some technical issues to put on a fantastic show featuring the songs we know and love along with a bunch of great-sounding new tracks. Can't wait to hear those tunes when they're released.

For this show, they were preceded by great sets from fellow Hamilton-based bands Ellis and Basement Revolver. Please click through and check out those bands, too.

If you haven't seen my previous coverage of Ellevator shows, check out my photos from their performances at The Danforth Music Hall, Riverfest Elora, Field Trip and the first time I saw them at Riverfest Elora. I'm looking forward to seeing them next time, which looks like it will be at Hillside.

And give Ellevator's music a listen:

"New Survival"

"Running Up that Hill"

"Hounds"

"St. Ceclia"

January 20, 2019

Best of: Top 50 of 2018: My favourite songs of 2018

I had a great time in 2018, in spite of the negativity that was flowing so heavily from so many sources. The music and the bands and the friends that surround them were my salvation. The positive energy and empowering messages coming from stage and speakers did a lot to help me from spiralling into the despair that politics, and the ugliness it emboldened, encouraged.

Please check out my other "best of" posts. My 20 Favourite Albums of 2018 list is here and I'll link my Favourite Concert Photos of 2018 when I have that finalized.

The hyperlinks in the song titles will take you to the tune itself if you want to check it out, the hyperlinks below each song link to my coverage of the artists, including my photos from those particular performances.

As always, thanks so much to the promoters, publicists, bands, management, festivals and venues that allow me to do this thing that I love to do.

All the best as we sail into 2019, whatever it happens to hold for us. Let's be positive, encouraging, empowering and above all, kind and understanding. It will go a long way to making the world a better place.

50. Calpurnia "City Boy"

The Phoenix Concert Theatre

Royal Mountain Records Festival

49. The Beaches "T-Shirt"

Riverfest Elora

The Phoenix Concert Theatre

48. King Tuff "Psycho Star"