Show Review: Austra @ The Phoenix

Austra Entrances The Phoenix

(Photo Credit- Dylan Leeder, BlogTO)

Dec 1, 2011

In one short year, Toronto’s Austra has gone from headlining at the Bovine Sex Club to nearly selling out the Phoenix Concert Theatre. Of course, having a Polaris Short List nomination probably had something to do with it. And though supporting acts, Tasseomancy and Young Galaxy deserved equal attention, they were likely missed by a large portion of the audience due to the venue’s complete inability to move a lineup, even hours after doors open.
 
At ten minutes to midnight, lead singer Katie Stelmanis unceremoniously appears with drummer Maya Postepski. The two launch into the piano-driven ‘The Beast’; its quiet, brooding beauty reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails. The tempo increases dramatically as Dorian Wolf, Ryan Wonsiak and backup singers Sari and Romy Lightman of Tasseomancy filter in.
 
Katie is an anomaly, she’s like a gypsy Lady Gaga, an opera singer turned electronic goddess and she makes lyrics like “I came so hard in your mouth” sound classy. Her natural vocal talent allows her to focus on creating an overall performance. When she’s not standing rigid at the front of the stage, conducting herself like a proper opera star might, she’s pulsating to the beat with Sari and Romi, who double as backup dancers. The three of them flail arms, sway, bounce and dance earthily to the beat, as one might do alone in their bedroom. Their nearly flawless harmonies make it difficult to believe that it’s actually a live performance.
 
Despite the appreciative cheering between songs, it’s hard to tell if the packed room is into the show or not. After all, it’s not exactly sing-along music. And though there’s obvious loosening-up as the night goes on, Katie remarks on the lack of dancing in the “sober section” up front. ‘The Beat and the Pulse’ proves to be the fan favourite; the room (temporarily) exploding with movement.
 
The set, culminated by ‘The Future’ encompassed almost the entirety of Feel It Break, with the exception of ‘Shoot the Water’. The addition of B-Sides ‘Young and Gay’ and ‘Identity’ rounded out the barely one-hour show. Though there’s only so much material a one-album band can pull off, the night felt truncated. But luckily, if Austra continues on their upward trajectory, we can expect a longer set and even better venue the next time they come home.
 

Polaris 2011

Get To Know Your Short List

Austra- Feel It Break

If we’re only as good as the company we keep, then Austra was a guaranteed Polaris nominee from the start. Having already worked alongside Polaris alums Owen Pallett and Fucked Up, Katie Stelmanis- aka Austra, enters the 2011 short list on her own with Feel It Break.

A Toronto native, Katie joined the Canadian Children’s Opera at the age of 10.  She pursued an opera career until she saw her first punk show and decided to join a band.  After her stint in the riot-grrl group, Galaxy, Katie founded Austra (a Latvian goddess of light) with former bandmate Maya Postepski and ex-Spiral Beach bassist Dorian Wolf. On May 11 2011, they released their “electro-goth” debut, Feel It Break.

This album is as dark as it is ambient, drawing many comparisons to The Knife.  Katie’s voice is entrancing, with the intensity and vibrato of Florence + the Machine and the ghostliness of Portishead. Layers upon layers of percussion and chiming synths create the perfect reverb-soaked background.

Austra’s greatest competition this year is likely Braids, both of them bringing a different flavour of wailing-trance to the table. Who do you prefer? Take a listen.