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.

The Winnipeg music scene

It's no secret that I love local music.

Here are just a few of the bands that I will drop everything to go see (and about whom my mom has frequently said "Didn't you just see them?") :

TELE: This band's live show will floor you. If it doesn't, then your ears might be broken. The first time I saw them play was when I walked in halfway through their JunoFest set at the Pyramid waaaay back in 2005. Even squashed at the back of the room where I couldn't see anything, I was awed. I only heard two and a half songs, but it was enough for me to file away a note-to-self to check these guys out again ASAP. Matt Worobec is one of the best singers I've ever heard. TELE is currently hard at work on their next album, so there aren't any upcoming shows, but I'm sure they will be making special appearances at Quinzmas or the JP Hoe Hoe Hoe Holiday show.

Quinzy: Another fantastic live band, Quinzy writes catchy tunes that will make you dance or cry, and sometimes both. They just released their third EP, "Self-Defense", November 7. The gig was a "show-cial"; four acts opened with maybe ten minutes between them for tear-down and set-up (the "show" part) and there was a silent auction (the "social" part). Catch them next at the aforementioned Quinzmas, December 11 & 12 at the West End Cultural Centre.

JP Hoe: Always a good time, JP knows how to entertain a crowd. Whether it's bringing in Fred Penner to read the audience The True Story of Harry & the Hendersons, or throwing them a prom, it's impossible not to have fun. This year's JP Hoe Hoe Hoe Holiday show is going to be awesome.

Sons of York: These guys released their CD "Black and White Summer" November 13 to a crowd ready to dance and clap along with every song. SoY write catchy '60s-inspired ditties that are impossible not to enjoy.

Enjoy Your Pumas: I've only been able to catch these guys once, but they were very, very good. They just re-released their EP on Halloween. I'm sure they'll be announcing more shows soon.