‘Wrong Side of the Bars’
A rallying cry for an encore led Mohawk Lodge to our camera following their May 26th appearance at local hot spot the Windmill. Together with companion, collaborator and fellow White Whale Records associate Eamon McGrath they showcased ‘Wrong Side of the Bars’. At the same time they launched a firework explosion of positivity and unveiled a cohesion and spirit that will undoubtedly propel their blue-collar indie soul into the same realms as many of their Toronto counterparts. Almost Springsteenesque in their approach, a potentially regrettable encounter with the law is transformed into convalescent talk of bouncing back. In actual fact, front man and founder of White Whale Records Ryder Havdale did serve time. The excusable (by social conscience) thumping of his friend for sleeping with his girlfriend has helped form the third and latest album Crimes. McGrath was the angel of epiphany that compounded an already finished piece by re-working the lyrics of the track Cold Hearts. Right at the death of their former European tour, his ideas were met with such excitement that the band nearly missed their flight home in order to lay it down in the studio. Such musical missions are publicised as a favourite pastime but they also serve as a reflection of the group’s work ethic. Further contributions from other Whalers demonstrate the tightness and unification of Havdale’s label and this resonates through both their musical compositions and their head-bending stage shows. To date they have showcased at New York’s widely respected new music advocate CMJ and at SXSW as well as opening up for established acts such as Contantines, Besnard Lakes and Blood Meridian.
The Mohawk Lodge are quickly becoming a live band to be reckoned with and we can’t wait to have them back this side of the river.