Let it go, let it flow. Connan Mockasin live in Toronto

photos by Marcin Barciak

Earlier this week Connan Mockasin brought his New Zealand oddity to Toronto’s Drake Underground. A few days before the show Quip’s Irene Lo had a chat with Connan about his musical ways, eclectic upbringing, and his most recent album Caramel. Needless to say Mockasin is unlike your average musician so it was safe to assume the live show was going to be as interesting as the man himself.

Toronto’s own Brendan Phillip started off the night while the small basement venue was slowly filling up. Phillip and his man Jamal on the drums played a solid set of experimental yet soulful tracks. Dare to say Phillip’s energy and songwriting style hits close to no one other than Frank Ocean. In no time the room packed with a dancing, head-bopping crowd.

Sandwiched somewhere between the bar and a hundred people trying to get to the bar I overhear someone say: “That’s Connan Mockasin, right there.” And there he was, patiently waiting in line at the bar to get a drink.

“Tequila!”

Within minutes he was up on stage surveying the audience on whether or not he should take off his sweater, keep the hat, or if we should all collectively streak. After a little conversation and a few odd stories the band joined Mockasin on stage. With the first strokes of the guitar random members of the audience began to chime in with Caramel appropriate sounds: “Mmm,” another guitar stroke ,“Yeah,” stroke, “OhOoh.” He smiles, “We’re gonna play a song called ‘It’s Your Body Part I.”‘ Mockasin might come of a little shy in person, even a little shy in an interview, but he is far from shy on stage, especially with a traveling entourage in the audience.

One of the best ways to listen to Connan Mockasin is with your eyes closed, swaying like a fig tree in the summer wind, or rolling around in satin bedsheets. Whichever is easiest in the situation really. The swaying and some dancing lasted a while and the ongoing kidding around on stage kept the audience entertained and engaged. The most dedicated fans even jumped on stage to streak with the band near the end of the show. Nudity. So much nudity.

While the sound and the music itself stays consistently close to the record, the show itself is a unique and highly entertaining experience. One I would not recommend missing if the tour bus pulls over in your neighbourhood.