Get your dancing shoes on and get ready for something a little different. Juno-nominated, Toronto-based band, Mr. Something Something is bringing its unique strain of sound to the Metropolis (formerly Karma).
Its high energy world-beat-jazzy-pop is inspired by the rhythmic music of west Africa, where percussionist Larry Graves spent many years studying music.
“I’ve spent lots and lots of time traveling and listening, playing music with people over there. It’s not my only point of reference, but for 15 years it’s hugely shaped who I am as an artist,” he says.
“Innovation is one of the mandates of our music. You can make interesting and creative music and it can still reach a huge demographic of people. We don’t have any age limitations or cultural limitations to our audience, at all.
“Innovation is definitely what we’re pushing for.”
Mr. Something Something is making its return to Victoria almost exactly one year after its performance at Hermann’s that Graves calls “one of the most memorable concerts of last year.”
“It was a packed house. The audience was not only plentiful, but it was also enthusiastic, and that’s the number one thing,” he says.
The performance is also listed on the band’s website as number three in frontman Johan (pronounced Yoo-wan) Hultqvist’s Top 5 tour memories from 2010.
“The stage at Hermann’s is small, but the crowd was big and warm and wonderful, as always. Gotta love those crazy West Coast dancers.”
And those dancers can look forward to hearing some new material, for the first and last time, before the band takes a touring hiatus for 2012. But fear not, the band will be looking to record another album, hopefully in the fall, says Graves.
“This is probably the last chance for a while for people to hear the band live … we decided that after almost 9 years of hard-hitting touring and music making to take a break with a new album on the horizon.”
Graves says the band performs best when the crowd participates in the show, getting up on the floor, dancing, singing or clapping along.
“It’s party music, but there’s another side to it. Not so much an agenda, but we want people to get excited about something.” M
live
Mr. Something Something at Metropolis (603 Douglas), Wed., July 27. Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m.
Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Available at Ditch Records and Lyle's Place.