You know how you have those few bands that just seem to be "cursed"? By which I mean, you just always seem to miss out when it comes to seeing them live. I am a fan of Spencer Krug in all incarnations, but have always had bad luck seeing his live shows. I saw Sunset Rubdown back in '09, but didn't see him again until last year's solo piano Moonface show at the Lido
Which is just a long way of saying the anticipation was high to see not only Moonface, but Siinai along with him as well. Having just released their second collaborative album, My Best Human Face, it was the first time in Canada for Finnish Siinai as they came to Fortune Sound Club in Vancouver.

Opening the night was Krug's Wolf Parade compatriot Dante Decaro, but unfortunately I got there just at the tail end of this set. He was on stage with a guitar, joined by a keyboardist, playing some slow burning songs.

It wasn't long after that Moonface and Siinai took to a dimly lit stage, the five members shrouded in shadows, only occasionally lit by passing spotlights in soft blues and yellows, adding to the mood of the music.
Starting off with "Quickfire, I Tried", Spencer Krug's distinct vocals filling the room, before kicking into the frantic "Teary Eyes and Bloody Lips". They played from both collaborative albums, including explosive songs like "I'm Not The Phoenix Yet" and the simmering intensity of "They Call Themselves Old Punks", to the more mellow "The Nightclub Artiste".
Near the end of the set a girl from the crowd shouted "Play Yesterday's Fire!" and Krug quickly replied "you got it" and without hesitation or missing a beat, the band immediately launched into the song. It was either ridiculously fortuitous timing, or the quickest & best request fulfilment I've ever seen. (It was probably the former, but I like to think the latter) .
After that, he fielded another request for "City Wrecker", the haunting song finishing off the main set. But of course, they were back -- not without Krug pointing out what an absurd tradition the whole encore thing is -- with one last "slow and loud" song, "Lay Your Cheek On Down" finishing the night.

Spencer Krug is great at pouring emotion into his songs, and Siinai more than kept up with him, keeping the audience rapt the entire time. Krug even pointing out how 'quiet' the crowd was, but not necessarily in a bad way. There was still wild applause and cheering between songs, but little to no chit chat, which is always nice, meaning the bad had the room's full attention. And I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Sunday evening.

setlist
Quickfire, I Tried
Teary Eyes and Bloody Lips.
The Nightclub Artiste
I'm Not The Phoenix Yet
Faraway Lightning
Prairie Boy
They Call Themselves Old Punks
Ugly Flower Pretty Vase
Yesterday's Fire.
City Wrecker
(encore)
Lay Your Cheek On Down