Date: August 19, 2008
Venue: The Boat

I’d been looking forward to seeing Olivier Jarda live since I got a hold of his excellent debut album, Diagrams, earlier this year. Thankfully for me I got that chance a few weeks ago at the Boat.

Getting there in plenty of time despite circling the block to find a good spot to lock up my bike, I grabbed a beer and sat down as opener Ian Nabil took the stage.  I’d never heard of Nabil before, but his amicable demeanor and enjoyable set definitely made me take notice.

As for Jarda himself, I was not disappointed.  Starting solo, as one of the bands didn’t show, he opened things up with a few softer tracks, including a cover of Wilco’s “Jesus, Etc.” The rest of his traveling band (Yukon Haircut) then joined him for a rousing set that began with my favourite track, “Victorian Faces”. As for the rest of the set, highlights included repeated pleas to get the accordion player, who professed that this was his last show, to join them on the tour’s western leg, as well as a spirited Joel Plaskett cover (with Nabil) to close out the evening.

Here’s a clip of the band performing “Victorian Faces”:

Olivier Jarda - Victorian Faces

Olivier Jarda - Don’t Wake the Baby

Hear more at his Myspace page or grab a digital copy of Diagrams here.