Tinariwen at the Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH 11/22/2011

Frequent Two Sisters show going comrade, Renee, was in attendance at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights a few weeks back to witness the stage light up with passion and energy from the incredible northern Malian band, Tinariwen. It’s a show I was very disappointed to have missed (and that I would have attended had I not been out of town on another Two Sisters mission) but thankfully Renee has shared with us with some of her beautiful photographs and her impressions of the show.

Tinariwen, live at the Grog Shop
Photos and review by Renee

Tinariwen swept in to the Grog Shop promoting their fifth album, Tassili. On this leg of the tour Tinariwen had 6 musicians on stage: a percussionist with 2 hand drums, electric bass, 3 guitarists, and a backing vocalist who also provided hand claps and dancing (all musicians contribute to harmonies and call-and-response vocals). The definitive master of Tuareg guitar, Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, did not take the stage until the third song and humbly left the stage when Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni played gorgeous classical guitar, fitted with a pick-up. The classical solos were restfully moving yet equally rhythmic as when the four electrified guitars were surging into the crowd.

Because Tinariwen’s members are nomadic Berbers from North and West Africa, the verbal communication with the audience was minimal. Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni did call out “Ça Va?” and “It’s OK?” a few times, but Tinariwen does not rely on dialogue to communicate with their audiences. I stood (not still) directly in front of a founding member of the band, Alhassane Ag Touhami, who was not playing guitar that night, but was a key for physically engaging the audience. He was in constant movement, clapping, arms open, reaching out to the audience and coaxing the audience to reach back to him, and his scarf could not hide the smile on his face. Most of the band members were fairly stoic, but that could be a misperception created by being unable to read their faces. Ibrahim Ag Alhabib was calm, if not solemn, but his presence does seem to dissolve some when he pours his spirit into the desert blues. I have read many quotes by him stating that no matter what stage he is on, his mind is always in the dessert and with the Tamasheq people. Towards the end of the show, he called a translator to the stage to tell the crowd, “These songs flow free from my heart, even though my tongue is sharp.”

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All photos by Renee for Sisters Dissonance

Mr. Dream: part 2 – The Grog Shop, Cleveland, Ohio

It’s funny how the boundaries of time and space can sometimes become a blur (pun slightly intended) through music. It sounds odd, but it’s beginning to feel that way. Thanks to our collaboration here, when one of us attends a show without the other, the reality of who is where and when is becoming a little fuzzy anymore. Just under two weeks ago Ady had the pleasure of attending the Mr. Dream show in Philadelphia. She photographed the set and the band after the show, while I prepared an interview from afar (see previous post). I had a hand in her experience, as did she in mine, so it felt like there was a tiny thread that linked the one show to the other, from my sister to I, when I walked into The Grog Shop this past Tuesday.

So for part 2, I went to check out the Brooklyn trio in my neck of the woods along with my frequent show-going comrade, Renee. I don’t have a nice camera like Ady’s (who is now affectionately referred to as “Lensie Lombago” or LL), so I decided to take just a few photos and spend the rest of the time really enjoying the set. Mr. Dream—they of great voices and nice heavy bass lines—warmed up the audience nicely for the other misters, Mister Heavenly. We chatted with the guys for a bit after their set and spoke of such things as the beloved “circle time rug” at the First Unitarian Church in Philly, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, hoagies, and books (speaking of which, their Literature Tour updates, including the hilarious/insightful entry about Chemical Pink, is a must read!). I also learned that my interview was answered as the band was packing for this very tour.

A handful of dates remain as they work their way from Montreal to their home turf in New York City so if they’re coming near you, yes, yes, check em out! If you’re discovering them here for the first time, tell them the Sisters sent you (and keep that little space/time defying thread going)!

Mr. Dream – Grog Shop, a set on Flickr.

Mr. Dream – First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia PA

Photos, Article and Review in Haiku by Ady | Interview by Shan

Most of the time I seek out my music, but I am intrigued and delighted when it seeks me. Friday night at the Unitarian Church of Philadelphia Mr. Dream did just that. Between a myriad of personal and profession obligations I still found myself at the altar of some raw punk rock n roll at the end of my day.

The band’s name Mr. Dream, which lends itself to speculation and extrapolation for their listeners was something on the forefront of my thoughts while I was photographing the set.

The Adam was kind enough to answer a few questions and take a few photos for Two Sisters. If they come through your town check them out, you’ll be happy you did. ~ Ady

Shan: You recently finished a bunch of shows at the CMJ Music Fest. How was that, and what is one memorable event that stands out, either onstage or off?

Mr. Dream: CMJ was a blast, we felt like the Beatles in Hamburg. The one event that stuck out was meeting Matt Pinfield. He has this superhuman enthusiasm for music, it’s really disarming.

Shan: What are some things that influence your music writing and lyrics that are specifically non-music related?

Mr. Dream: We’re all really into books. In fact, we have a tour book club that you can follow on the website.

Shan: Your name, how did it originate? And on that topic…dreams…what are they?

Mr. Dream: There’s not a lot to the name’s origin, it just stuck out on a list of band names. We felt like there was a dearth of bands with “Mr.” in their name. Now, three years later, there are probably too many.

I think we liked “dream” in the sense of “American Dream” or “my dream is to one day own a cajun-themed restaurant chain” rather than the rapid eye movement stuff.

Shan: You’re currently touring with another Mister…Mister Heavenly, on what I’ve seen referred to as the Mr. Mister tour. That’s a whole lotta Misters! What about us girls? What female artists are you into? If you covered one song written by a female, what would it be? (and would you change the lyrics or sing them faithfully?)

Mr. Dream: Honestly, at the moment I think we’ve been listening to more female artists (or at least female singers) than male. We’re big fans of Siouxsie Sioux, Kim Deal, Karen O, PJ Harvey, Elizabeth Fraser (of Cocteau Twins), Bjork and countless others.

We are thinking of getting inexcusably drunk at some point during the tour and covering “Into the Light” by Siouxsie & the Banshees.

Shan: If you were a super hero, what would your super hero name be, and what super power would you have?

Mr. Dream: That’s easy. Our super hero name would be Mr. Dream and our power would be convincing indie fans that rock music is still awesome.
~

View the full photo set of Mr. Dream First Uni Church, Philly PA via Flickr.