Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Quinzy: A little bit taller

WARNING: This post is full of unabashed love.


I remember the first time I saw Quinzy: It was Quinzmas in the old West End Cultural Centre, before they even had to prop up one of the walls. I sat with a friend at stage left to watch the show. My strongest mental image is of the boys sitting on the floor whilst House of Doc covered "Mike! Your House is on Fire!". When Quinzy took to the stage, I was swept up in their catchy songs, great harmonies, and (mostly) witty (sometimes awkward) stage banter. I've been to most Quinzy shows since.

I've been to every Quinzmas since 2006, except last year's *sob*.

I've seen them play a bunch of Elton John covers.

I showed up at someone's birthday party at the Academy once (I thought it was a regular show, honest! They let me in, so I didn't think anything of it until there were speeches! lol).

I even spent an afternoon at the mall.

It's safe to say, without hesitation, that I love Quinzy.

Most recently, they played at Festival du Voyageur, where they performed new songs from "The Flats", their latest EP. All I could think about during their set was how much they've grown as a band since the first time I saw them. I don't have children, but I have a niece and three nephews, and I'm always telling them they've gotten taller since the last time I saw them (a total auntie cliche, I know). Well, watching Quinzy this time made me feel like they'd gotten taller. In the years since "Please baby please baby baby baby please", the lyrics have gotten a little darker and more introspective. The melodies and arrangements have become lusher and more complex. The stage banter's gotten better, too. I wasn't watching a different band; I was watching a more mature band. I cried a little bit. And then I bought a CD and a mug.



Never stop growing, Quinzy. And yes, I did just make a reference to a milk commercial.