PHOTOS: Johnny 99, Elliott BROOD @ The Hollywood Theatre - June 03, 2022

Johnny 99, Elliott BROOD
The Hollywood Theatre
June 03, 2022

>Read Kirk’s recap here<

Christine McAvoy Photography

Elliott BROOD @ Hollywood Theatre -- June 03, 2022

It’s been a minute since the last time Toronto’s Elliott BROOD were in Vancouver, but after they released Keeper in 2020 — their first new album in three years — they were hitting the road with their “Out and About” tour, with a stop at the Hollywood Theatre.

Opening the show was Johnny 99, which was kind of fitting, as John Sponarski’s first live show as a solo performer was opening for Elliott BROOD in 2013! Joined by Scott Smith on pedal steel and Kendel Carson on guitar & violin, and also backing vocals, Johnny joked he would “soft-rock us to sleep” with a collection of country-tinged love songs. Playing off his recently released album, Words Left Unsaid, he did just that, pouring his heart out over his twangy guitar, with highlights including the incredibly catchy “I Wanna Go With My Boots On”.

It wasn’t long before the three members of Elliott BROOD hit the stage, the voices & guitars of Mark Sasso and Casey Laforet blending together perfectly, with Stephen Pitkin’s drumming holding everything up.

Their set of dark-folk-rock started on the calmer side — for them, anyway — with songs like “Dig a Little Hole” and the rollicking “Out Walkin’”, as well as some newer tunes. But as they went on, they slowly grew and built the intensity. Favourites like “Without Again” and the soaring “Northern Air” ramped up the energy before breaking with the boot-stomping “Oh, Alberta” and going non-stop to the end.

They got the crowd joining in, first with “This Valley Town” and then the ultimate singalong “Write It All Down For You”, shouts of “hey! hey! hey!” filling the room, before they ended off the main set with “The Banjo Song”.

But as you would expect, they were back moments later for a few more; first a cover that they put out last year, yet another big singalong, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” originally by Gary Portnoy — and best known as the theme for Cheers. And finally, they capped off the night and sent everyone home with “The Bridge” off their debut full length Ambassador.

I always love a live set that feels like it has a “flow” or sense of progression, and this show was a great example of that. As they took their leave, they promised they would be back sooner than the last time, and I certainly hope that’s the case.

Railtown Sessions Finale @ Fox Cabaret -- 12/09/16

A few months ago, local musician Andy Bishop (who you may know from Twin River or White Ash Falls) put together a project with Light Organ Records called the Railtown Sessions. They brought together four Vancouver singer-songwriters to each record a 4 song EP, and then also play the EP live from Light Organ HQ, streaming online. Last night the project culminated with the big finale, and all four artist playing at the Fox Cabaret. 

I think one of the most interesting parts about the lineup is the diversity. From old school country to alt-country; roots to soulful rock, no two of the four artists were really alike. And each of them performed short sets of the songs off the EPs. 

Starting off the night was the country twang of Johnny 99, the alias of John Sponarski, former Portage & Main co-frontman and ace guitar-slinger for people like Aaron Pritchett and Ben Rogers. He was backed by a group of Vancouver all-stars, who were acting as the band for the entire night; Cody Hiles on drums, Colin Cowan on upright & sideways bass, and the Matt Kelly on guitar, keys, and slide. John was also joined by Erik Nielsen on backing vocals, and started with one of the first songs he wrote after going solo, the incredibly catchy "I Wanna Go With my Boots On". He sang with a very country twang to his voice (which, to be honest, took me a second to get past) about love and "That Mean Old Girl" to round out the set.

There was a quick turnaround before Joseph Blood (Bend Sinister member who was also involved in the project) introduced Rob Butterfield next, joined by some backup singers including Debra-Jean Creelman. His set brought the energy up a notch with more of a roots-rocking set. Songs like "Good People" had toes tapping, and the mathematical "One and Two Halves" ended off the first half of the evening. 

After an intermission, it was time for the second half, Sarah Jane Scouten taking the stage, and the backing band joined by Andy Bishop himself. With more of an alt-country bent, her lovely voice drawing you in to "Red Rocking Chair" before turning both the 'honky' and 'tonk' dials up for a fun, up-tempo song called "Bang Bang". She ended off the set with a slower and absolutely heartbreaking "Mount Royal Cemetery", one of my favourites in the whole series. 

And finally, ending out the night was Debra-Jean Creelman. She was also joined by a pair of backup singers, whose names I unfortunately didn't catch, with a set that was the most intense of the night, with touches of Motown soul on songs like "Midnight Sun" and her powerful voice haunting on the darker "Up In Smoke" and soaring for "Maybe They Were Right". It was the perfect set of the four to close out the night. 

I was sure they were going to do some sort of collaborative song or cover to end off the night (my money was on The Band), but the show ran right up til curfew. Even without that it was a nice spotlight of some of Vancouver's talent. Here's to hoping the Railtown Sessions continue on next year.