(Photo by Brandon Ross) 

There’s something to be said about a room full of 40+ people who squeeze together, Indian-style and cramped, and sit silently at the foot of musicians, waiting to breathe in a symposium of song. To music lovers, this is one of those life-affirming moments.

A select few in Toronto experienced exactly that this past Tuesday night. Diego Silva opened his home to music enthusiasts from around the area for yet another enchanting Sofar show, the 86^th to be exact. After small talk and mingling, the guests settled in and let the music begin.

(Photo by Brandon Ross) 

Danielle Duval (Facebook, Twitter) set the night in motion with her eclectic voice, pulling in the audience members with vocals that soar and slide in a fusion of grungy-folk. She started off with the more poppy beat of “Day Becomes Night” and segued into that raspy drawl with “We Got it Made.” In the meantime, she killed us ever-so-softly and sweetly not with song, but story between breaks, recalling through detailed words intimate moments from her life. Next, she pulled out a piece a bit on the bluesy side, “Imposter,” followed by a rowdy rendition of “Control,” an adamant and triumphant piece to finish her set.

Graydon James and the Young Novelists (Photo by Brandon Ross) 

Graydon Jamesand the Young Novelists, superhumans that they are, joined us next after their sound check for a gig later that night. The trio (although usually a six-piecer) blew the audience away with their ridiculously complex harmonies. They even threw in the ole’ glockenspiel and harpsichord to amplify the folklore ambiance. “What Kind of Man” was first up, with a gorgeous collective of ‘ooh’-ing that eventually climaxed at the end into a sort of calling out to the heavens. “For the Record” came next, a short tune with a quick, foot-stomping beat. The group followed with “Standing Still” and closed with “Long Long Long,” a lush melody, slowed by heavy guitar and yearning. (Click Here for their Facebook)

Alphabot! (Photo by Brandon Ross) 

Alphabot!, our 3^rd act for the night, transformed the scene into an enthused set of dreamy electronica. Feeling right at home, Jake Roels, aka Alphabot!, mesmerized the crowd with fierce beats and raucous vocals while dancing in wool socks. He began his set with “Drivers Drive Cars,” an electronically-fueled twinkle of a tune that showcased Roels’ more breezy style and got the crowd dancing in their floor-seats. Next up was “Kingdom Come,” an eerie track made of dark guitar chords and a crazed edge in Roels’ voice. During breaks between looping, singing, and guitar-strumming, Roels artfully explained the story behind the music – a wildly entertaining series of comics (which can be viewed here) that seem to be the side-stories to his soundtrack. “Life and Love” followed and “Deloris,” a beat-heavy and deranged tune, was the final song in the alluringly quirky set. (Here's his Facebook)

Hands and Teeth (Photo by Brandon Ross) 

Hands and Teeth shifted the show yet again into a cheerful array of pop color. All five members, amazingly enough, took turns sharing lead vocals. It was the epitome of a musical experience, watching them improvise melodies and tonal changes, using each other’s cues to take the next lead into another part of the song. They began with “Missing,” a beat-rich and multi-harmony piece. “Hunting Season” came next, followed by “Le Petit Voleur,” a sweetly textured ballad of whimsical poppiness and delight. Their easy-to-learn choruses proved to be quite a treat for the audience; the entire room of listeners was eventually belting all the “ooh’s” and “aah’s” of choruses to songs they were simultaneously hearing for the first time. Adam, H&T drummer, completely utilized the “songs from a room” concept by tapping out the songs’ rhythms on anything he could find in the room, like guitar cases and beer bottles. The group wrapped up with “Shine On,” a joyous rock anthem to get us in the mood for the holidays. (This is their Bandcamp)

The Coppertone brought closure to our night of song through smoky rock. Amanda has this uncanny ability to send shivers down your spine with her massively sultry voice. She and Morgan began with “Stranger Things,” a slow melody, but jam-packed with a brooding, electric guitar tone that amplified the thick and heavy soul theme. After the 2^nd song, “Backdown,” the duo played an elegant, bluesy piece, “Quicksand.” Quite the perfect amount of delicacy in a soulful tune to gently heavy the eyelids and seal the night’s bubble of magic. (A Quickie to their Facebook)   

Christmas lights still aglow, audience members and musicians stayed long into the night to discuss the magnitude of what they had just experienced. People relished on their new findings and the miraculous ability to whole-heartedly absorb these mind-blowing melodies in such a special environment. Well done, Sofar Toronto. And many thanks to Diego and James Brown. 

(Photo by Brandon Ross)