Under the Green Desk Lamp…

On Dec. 15^th, Lutra Lutra will host the release party for their new album, ‘Psychopath and the Philosopher’, at the Polar Park Brewing Co.

This is their first full length LP, following their eponymous debut EP, which has maintained regular play at my house since I gave it a glowing review two years ago. As such, this album comes with no small measure of anticipation.

I’ve got my hands on an advance copy, and will be reviewing ‘Psychopath and the Philosopher’ right here next week, but in preparation for the big release on Dec. 15^th, I decided to drop in on the band on Oct. 26^th to remind myself what to expect, and to share that with all of you.

The Have Mercy Southern Table and Bar is a neon-lit, upstairs venue just off Whyte Ave. With a fine menu and even finer selection of whiskies, my attendance did not come grudgingly.

Nonetheless, it was my first time there—that I recall—so I cozied up to the bar and took in the surroundings. The stage was tucked away in the far corner, with long bench-tables set up in front of it. One of these was eventually cleared out to make room for dancers.

There were no dancers yet though—most people were parked happily at the long family-style tables. Plenty were eating, and I couldn’t be certain how many were there for the concert, and how many would be its unwitting witnesses—having set out for tacos alone.

As the show started, a few heads turned. I switched to whiskey—the beers here were all tinged with strange chamomiles and hibiscuses, and I was never much of a botanist.

The whiskey is good. Leave it to the Irish.

Lead signer and guitarist Garreth picked away an extended lead into their first song, ‘Glass Eye’. He smiles and gesticulates to familiar faces in the crowd, and gives off an energetic, joyful presence. Additionally, his hair and beard combine into the appearance of a lion’s mane.

Lutra Lutra played every song from their upcoming album that night save one, and all those songs will be reviewed in greater depth in my review next week, so we’ll save that for then. The point here is this—as I’d stated earlier, there was an entire bar full of people who were happily munching on tacos and imbibing their favourite drinks, who may or may not have known they were about to be at a Lutra Lutra concert.

I looked around now as I tossed a bit of whiskey down my throat. They certainly knew at this point. All eyes were bent towards the stage, if not on it directly. The cramped space in front of the bench seats now harboured a decent crew of dancers and keeners alike, which only increased as the night drew on.

Garreth continued to engage the eager crowd, as drummer Denis Frigon and bassist Will Smith held the fantastic rhythms on point. Sadly, organist and backup vocalist Katrina Burrows was absent, but the band played valiantly without her, and by the end of the set the crowd may have even forgotten their tacos. That’s saying something.

The crowd was full bore by the final song—the lead single, ‘Loving You’. They tapped and danced, bobbed heads and exchanged high-fives, as any good rock crowd should. The band closed the final vocal section low and quiet—creating a surprisingly intimate moment in the final throws, before Denis and Will boomed back into the final explosive refrain to see the show out.

There can be no doubt about it—Lutra Lutra’s new album lives up to one of the key tests of new music—it was fun to listen to…especially live. The bar rocked, the booze flowed, and good times were had by all.

So pick up your tickets and swing by the Polar Park Brewing Co. for the release of ‘Psychopath and the Philosopher’ on Dec. 15^th, and be sure to check in next week for my full review of ‘Psychopath and the Philosopher’.

Get your tickets here.

-Brad OH Inc.