Ottawa folk-rockers Winchester Warm put on an intimate show for Bluesfest-goers in the Canadian War Museum’s Barney Danson Theatre on Wednesday, July 15th.
I have actually been meaning to review the band for a year now. I’ve been unlucky— whenever they have a show booked, something always seems to come up that I can’t duck out of. I was glad to finally see them. Although the band was new to me a year ago, I’ve been listening to them casually since.
Although Winchester Warm began as two-piece—singer/songwriter Jonathan Pearce and drummer Matt Godin—it later expanded to include a bassist and a second guitar player (Michael Zorn and Matthew Corbiere, respectfully). The group then got down to business recording sophomore effort Belle Attente, a catchy indie-folk record that is reminiscent of Pearce and Godin’s earlier work in Poorfolk—another band I’ve come to enjoy in the past year.
Although Winchester Warm lacks some of Poorfolk’s spunk, they make up for it with mature, defined accuracy—and a hint of 90’s Canadiana. Pearce seems to have a much more refined vision for his band, and the set list was fine-tuned with a good balance of old and new songs. Zorn and Corbiere’s parts are cleverly devised, and you would never know from hearing them now that they were added later.
Music aside, it was also a nice diversion to enjoy the War Museum’s air conditioning and ambient lighting. And word to the wise—they have a cheaper, better selection of beer. If you get the chance to see a band in there in the remaining days of the festival, go for it—it’s a nice little venue.
Winchester Warm plays quite often in Ottawa, just check in with their website for up-to-date listings. Check them out the next time you’re looking for an interesting local band to spend an evening with.