Warm-and-fuzzies at the Yellow Door

There’s something about Montreal’s Yellow Door…its warm, inviting, oh-so-intimate basement venue has dished out decades’ worth of magical nights. It’s no thanks to the venue’s acoustics (they suck), or its wicked selection of ales (it’s unlicensed). It’s also worth mentioning that the venue has a capacity of about ten people. But the place has its own special energy that, through the mysteries of vibrational science, makes folk-music magic happen time and time again. As James Finnerty mentioned last night, “this is where the draft dodgers used to come.” The boomer generation made this place the underground (literally) hotspot that it remains to this day. It’s a swell place to hear a show.

So, last night! No exception. The aformentioned Finnerty dazzled the small crowd with his gentle vocals, earthy guitar, and his playful performing presence. Joined by a fiddler, James’ unabashedly acoustic set had an almost Maritime quality to it, without compromising the contemporary influences of Sufjan Stevens, Nick Drake and the like. It was a soft and soothing set – a real lullaby for a rainy night.

And then Katie Sevigny took to the stage. She did her piano-thing elegantly and soulfully, delivering crooning ballads, confessional lyrics, and strong, expressive vocals. Her graceful, gracious performing presence sent the night’s Warm-And-Intimate meter off the charts. Another lullaby.

Sadly, I had missed the opening act, but I hear that Sophie Young is an act not worth missing.

It was indeed an enchanting evening of love. Go Yellow Door.