Live Review: The Most Serene Republic at Southpaw [12.13.07]

"We're Canadian, we don't bite", said Adrian Jewett, lead singer of The Most Serene Republic, tempting the timid crowd at Brooklyn's Southpaw to edge closer to the stage. "We just have opinions and sit on porches,” he continued, going on to list half a dozen other Canadian stereotypes as the crowd continued to fill in around the stage. Yes, like Arts & Crafts labelmates Broken Social Scene and Stars, The Most Serene Republic are an exuberant orchestral pop collective. But before you scoff and pigeonhole the band as just another sprawling group from Canada, you might want to get off your high horse and take a listen - The Most Serene Republic have a sound and style quite singular from the rest of the bunch. There’s certainly something to be said for a band whose lead singer doubles as a trombonist.







Showcasing songs from their new record Population, the group’s major strength quickly emerged in the well-balanced interplay between Jewett and vocalist/guitarist Emma Ditchburn’s vocals. Ditchburn’s sweet harmonies are the perfect complement to Jewett’s energetic cries, tempering his frenetic energy with cool, reserved assurance. Amy Milan comparisons wouldn’t be far off, but remember, we’re not comparing The Most Serene Republic to any of those other Canadian supergroups.









The performance on this night was lively and raucous (they even banged on pots and pans), yet still quite polished and controlled -there’s probably no danger of these folks destroying instruments or trashing the stage. The band also proved to be quite chatty – perhaps it was the small crowd that put them at ease, or maybe they’re always this amiable. After telling us about their desire to see the new Coen brothers film No Country for Old Men and about popping a tire on their trailer earlier that day, the conversation turned to the dreadful weather of the day, the snow and sleet and general winter misery. Somehow Jewett ended up going off on an animated tangent about his love of retro video games. After our chat, it appeared that the band thought it might be a good idea to play another song before the night ended, and launched into the brassy and ebullient “Present of Future End”, a song composed of jazzy, multi-layered verses, a sing-along worthy chorus, and an uplifting instrumental climax that those jokers in the Arcade Fire would be proud to call their own.





“We bonded over videogames tonight, Brooklyn!” proclaimed Jewitt as the group abandoned their instruments and left the stage. Did we? Sure, why not. I prefer to think that The Most Serene Republic used their unique sound to break down some stereotypes about the music made by our indie rock neighbors to the North. But you know, video games are cool too.

[Photos by Lori Baily]