To fully understand the natural force field that surrounds Canadian singer and songstress Basia Bulat, I suggest you check out the black and white video that accompanies her heart stopping first single (It Can’t be You), found on her just-released third record Tall Tall Shadow. The live piece captures Bulat in the middle of a loud and buzzing Art Gallery of Ontario, alone to face the social wolves surrounding her. She quickly hushes the mass with her charango (a small Andean stringed instrument and member of the lute family) and vocal acrobatics of the love-struck song. Since quietly emerging on the national scene in 2005 with her self-titled first EP, Basia has taken her musical talents global on the strength of her songs, playing, writing, singing, and award-winning personality.
Signed and supported by the Montreal label Secret City Records records internationally, Basia Bulat looked to Mark Lawson (Saltland, Akron/Family, Colin Stetson, Islands, Beirut) and musician Tim Kingsbury (Arcade Fire) to act as co-producers of the new record, as well as a four-piece band to bring the ten songs built around the age-old themes of love and loss to life. Tall Tall Shadow comes out sounding great, a real mixed bag of styles and tempos, from the upbeat gospel-tinged pop of the title track to the solo folk adventure of the aforementioned It Can’t be You. Bulat and co. are able to maneuver deftly between genres and bring a new direction in her songs, one which will surely be embraced by her loyal legion of fans.
Basia Bulat | Cabaret Mile End – 5240 Avenue du Parc
Tuesday October 1st
http://basiabulat.com/