Rosie’s pick: Austra
Since 2009, Austra’s brand of electro-pop has been generating buzz on the Canadian indie scene. The Toronto-based band has released two albums, Feel it Break and Olympia, the first of which was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize in 2011. The four-piece is fronted by Katie Stelmanis, whose vocals are both haunting and endearing.
Opening is Petra Glynt, a solo artist who veers more toward experimental electronic. Her demo “Propaganda” came out this summer, and is an eerie soundscape carried forth by her urgent vocals that ask, “Do you like the sound of a modern-day enchanter?”
For a performance that will get you grooving and leave you with chills, head to the SAT this Saturday.
Niyousha’s pick: Bazaar of the Bizarre
The Bazaar of the Bizarre is a travelling, alternative marketplace that’s taking over Katacombes this Sunday. Presented by Plastic Wrap, a fashion company of the cyber industrial variety, the Bazaar travels throughout the year and is your peculiar one-stop-shop for “all things exotic, whimsical and macabre,” crafted by local artists and artisans. The independent vendors at this special Halloween Extravaganza in Montreal will be selling unusual art pieces, crafts, clothing, accessories, and even home decor. Even if ghoulish doesn’t exactly suit your daily fashion, it can’t hurt to get in the Halloween spirit early by picking up a morbid accessory or two.
Austra is playing on Friday, October 17 at 8 p.m. at SociÈtÈ des Arts Technologiques (1201 St. Laurent).
The Bazaar of the Bizarre will be open Sunday, October 19 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., at Katacombs (1635 St. Laurent).