Molly and Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother perform for a sold-out crowd at Algonquin College, November 20, 2014.
Photos: Meg O’Connell
Hyping up a crowd isn’t a difficult feat for either Mother Mother or opening act, Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS); but that didn’t stop either band from bringing their A-game to Algonquin College on November 20, where they had the entire sold-out, 800-strong crowd (both floor and seated) on their feet the entire night.
Ashley Buchholz (aka Ash Boo-Schultz) of Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS) on guitar, Algonquin College, November 20, 2014.
This still may not seem like something too impressive, until you take into account that the incredibly diverse crowd included people between the ages of 19-60+ and that it was a cold, blustery Thursday night at a relatively small venue.
Despite this, the energy that night in Algonquin College Theatre before show time was palpable. The audience, young and old, eagerly awaiting for the show to begin were all in band shirts (either purchased previously, on site that night, or a home-made version of their own), and almost all were excitedly singing a capella versions of the songs they hoped the band would play with a new friend—an interesting and typical bonding experience strangers often find themselves sharing during what can only really be described as a “pre-show-high”.
It didn’t take long for that energy to reach even bigger heights as USS took the stage and immediately brought down the house.
The alternative dance duo from Toronto is comprised of Ash Buchholz and Jason “Human Kebab” Parsons, with Parsons manning the turntables and mic, and Buchholz on guitar. Even with the two members and accompanying drummer, while they are a smaller act, it needs to be noted that their sound is huge, and they don’t stop for a single second.
Ashley Buchholz (aka Ash Boo-Schultz) of Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS) on guitar, Algonquin College, November 20, 2014.
Their electrifying performance (complete with an impressive-for-the-venue light show) melded a solid blend of electro, dance, grunge-like guitar and bass that had everyone in attendance alternating from dancing, to head banging, without skipping a single beat. Parsons, in the past, has described USS’s sound as “a campfire after-party; like you’re at Nirvana unplugged, but there’s a drum and bass party and glow sticks all around you.” and there could not be a more accurate description.
If their music wasn’t enough to get the people going, the energy USS brought to their set certainly rose to the challenge. Neither band member stood still once; bouncing and dancing, head banging themselves, and utilizing the entirety of their stage space. At one point, Parsons was seen behind his computer and turntable set up in a perfect headstand, clapping along to the beat with his feet for a full thirty seconds.
Following their set and a short break (for the entirety of which Parsons spent in the lobby of the student’s centre, taking pictures with and meeting fans) Mother Mother took the stage.
Molly and Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother perform for a sold-out crowd at Algonquin College, November 20, 2014.
In a smoky, blue-purple haze, lead singer and guitarist Ryan Guldemond took the stage and performed an eerie-but sensual intro, showcasing his powerful vocal range fans are used to hearing as a three-part harmony with band mates Ali Guldemond and Jasmin Parkin, both on keys and vocals. The lights stayed down for the entirety of Guldemond’s performance, and as he finished, unabashedly threw down his mic.
Immediately, the rest of the band, also made up of Jeremy Page on bass and Ali Siadet on drums, launched into Reaper Man; already crowd favourite off of the band’s newest album, Very Good Bad Thing released November 4, this year.
The rest of the Vancouver indie-pop-rockers’s set was filled with favourites from each of their five albums, including: I Go Hungry and Get Out The Way from Very Good Bad Thing; Getaway from Eureka; Tic Toc from Touch Up; Infinitesimal from the Sticks; and Ghosting, Wrecking Ball, O My Heart, and Hayloft from O My Heart.
Molly Guldemond of Mother Mother on vocals and keys at Algonquin College, November 20, 2014.
In addition to playing their most notable songs fans have come to love for their loud, in your face, catchy melodies, mid-set, Parkin left her keyboard to surprise the audience with a cover of Lana Del Ray’s Video Games—and killed it.
Throughout their time on stage, Guldemond, Guldemond and Parkin danced as they played, with Guldemond often leaving his mic and getting right down close to the crowd, encouraging them to sing and dance along—which came with no objections. Although a different kind of energy than USS, Mother Mother played with such infectious enthusiasm and genuinely appeared to be having the time of their lives.
All in all, Mother Mother- along with USS- put on a hell of a show. They’re a band that seemingly has something to offer everyone; a unique sound, performances that keep you moving, songs that are unapologetic earworms, and an unrivaled determination from all five bad members to have a great time, it’s no mystery why Mother Mother has quickly gone from cult favourite to mainstream success.
Jason Parsons (aka Ash Boo-Schultz) of Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS) on turntables, Algonquin College, November 20, 2014.
Ashley Buchholz (aka Ash Boo-Schultz) and Jason Parson of Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS) get the crowd going, Algonquin College, November 20, 2014.
Ashley Buchholz (aka Ash Boo-Schultz) of Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS) on guitar, Algonquin College, November 20, 2014.
Mother Mother perform for a sold-out crowd at Algonquin College, November 20, 2014.
Jasmin Parkin of Mother Mother on vocals and keys at Algonquin College, November 20, 2014.
Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother on vocals and guitar at Algonquin College, November 20, 2014.