Review: Red Moon Road @ The Cube (WildWoodRose Vintage Market)
Red Moon Road performing at The Cube in Old Market Square. /ANNE MARTIN
The musty smell of vintage clothing wafted my way as I found a seat near the sound guy. It was a perfect night for a concert at The Cube. Not too hot, not too cold, no rain, and most importantly, no mosquitoes.
Scott Nolan was busy talking about his recent claim to fame and resulting potential highway ambassador position. It was a good story and he’s on my list of musicians to see, but tonight I came to the Exchange to see Red Moon Road.
I discovered them on Facebook and what immediately struck me was Daniel Peloquin-Hopfner’s curled moustache. It’s a moustache that gives the impression of potential; or at the very least, the impression of style, and I like style very much.
I checked out a few You Tube videos of the band and Sheena Rattai’s voice solidified Red Moon Road on my list of bands to see.
I’m not well versed in Johnny Cash, but I think the first song the band covered was “Ain’t No Grave”. Given the laid back nature of the event, this cover definitely caught my attention. While it was slow, it most definitely was not laid back and the band’s performance of it was excellent.
It wove this slinky, dark, haunting vibe through the audience thanks to Daniel’s double neck lap steel and Sheena’s chains which she raised and lowered against the stage floor in rhythm with the song. I LOVE songs that create their own ambiance and this one filled me with goose bumps. It was my favourite song of the night.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your tastes), those aren’t the kinds of songs everyone jumps up to dance to. So the rest of Red Moon Road’s set was filled with more upbeat tunes that got the crowd moving.
“Old Things” (appropriate name given we were at a vintage market) followed by a song about the Roslyn Apartments was the push the audience needed to get up and dance.
I enjoyed “Demons”, at one point Sheena and Daniel sang into to body of the mandolin, which was a really cool effect. The whole song was lovely.
Daniel Jordan covered David Bowie’s “Changes” in honour of Sheena’s upcoming performance at the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival on June 20. Here’s the link for tickets, if you’re interested: http://jazzwinnipeg.com/event/sheena-sings-bowie/
“Tom the Terrible Tenant” wasn’t what I was expecting. With a name like that, I thought the song was going to be quirky, but it wasn’t at all; it seemed to have quite a bit of depth. Sheena’s voice was excellent and I loved the banjo and the harmonizing.
Two new songs ended the set. I liked the second song better; the band seemed to really enjoy playing it as there were smiles all around the stage. It felt a bit like a summer song, so once they get that one going, it’s going to be great.
It’s been at least a month since I’ve seen a show and I really wasn’t looking forward to going out tonight or writing this review. But as soon as I heard that Johnny Cash cover, I remembered why I love doing this. The magic that music brings is always worth my time, no matter what else is going on in my life.
That was a pretty solid set and I enjoyed it. I’m glad I went and I’d like to see Red Moon Road again.
Good night.
TicketMOMster is a Rock and Jazz-loving Mom; single-handedly keeping Ticketmaster alive in Winnipeg. Follow her musical journey here: www.facebook.com/TicketMOMs
