FRINGE 2015: Fringe Tunes – Hua Li x Seoul

Aside from theatre shows, galleries, late-night parties and the like, the Montreal Fringe Festival showcased some of the best talent within Montreal’s indie music scene. Here’s what one of our correspondents – Joana Cumo from Je Suis TBA & Charts and Crafts, took note of from the set of concerts that recently happened at the Fringe Park during the festival.

HUA LI – A force to be reckoned with.

On that late afternoon, indie hip-hop artist and female emcee Hua Li performed selected pieces from her upcoming work to the Fringe crowd, all of which will be released to the public in the coming weeks. Hailing from what she calls “beautiful British Columbia”, the Montreal-bound artist brought her voracious sexual, kinky lyrics layered on R&B and heavy based instrumentals. With her keyboard and DJ/producer by her side, Hua Li spat fire through the microphone.

However, her flow was not as strong as I had expected. There is indeed a noticeable difference between her recorded material and what she performed through the crowd. Experiencing it live, the sound was chopped, and most of the time it was difficult to properly hear what she was rhyming about, but it was mainly  because of the delay effect on her mic. Reverb perhaps?

Hopefully, these inconveniences were related to the outdoors stage performances, because she in person was full of energy, owned the stage and popped some shiny dance moves.

Until then you can catch her album launch happening Thursday night June 25th (that’s tonight)! I’m sure she’s going to deliver a solid performance.

And if you can’t be there tonight, like she said during the performance – follow her online and see for yourself! The future is looking prosperous for MC Hua Li!

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The album Launch is tonight, June 25 at 9pm at La Vitrola, 4602 St-Laurent. Tickets cost $10 plus free hugs from Hua Li with entry. Learn more about the event, and her music!

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Seoul – Capturing your heart from within.

Our four protagonists were set in a charming Montreal park, where the sky was grey, the humidity was palpable, and the public walking around were ready to cover themselves in the event of a downpour.

Ready to face the awkward Montreal summer heat, Julian Flavin (on keyboard), Dexter Garcia (on bass), Nigel Ward (on guitar) and Evan Tighe (on drums) jumped on stage to perform their latest material from their debut album I Become a Shade.

Seoul – Montreal’s own superstar dream pop band and not to be confused with the capital of South Korea – played what they do best: indie ambient pop with tints of absolute azure mist and soft violet. To be fair, the atmosphere was a breath of fresh air that parted through gentle sound waves.

The end product was an audio experience that enchanted the audiences’ ears and lured the people that were walking by. In terms of composition, the band had achieved a more mature sound, with complex musical structures and well-rounded notes, while at the same time keeping a cushion for a bit of craziness.

Making a significant leap from their previous material, and besides a few small sound skirmishes that can always be blamed to outdoor stage performances, our dream pop sweethearts aced their first performance post-album release.

For these kids, they have their eyes on the prize.

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Seoul’s album launch happens on Friday, June 26 at 9 pm at 185 Van Horne. Tickets can be bought for $10 online at Blue Skies Turn Black, or for $12 at the door. To learn more about Seoul, check out their Soundcloud Page!

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Joana Cumo is part of CJLO’s Official Fringe Team covering the sights and sounds from the 2015 St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival. Joana hosts Charts and Crafts every second Friday from noon – 2pm; ocassionally co-hosts Champions of The Local Scene every Wednesday from 6 – 7pm, and is the host of her signature radio show Je Suis TBA.

You can contact Joana via email: joanacumo@gmail.com.

Credits: Photos provided by the author.