LOOM

Toronto trio LOOM might be CMW's most unassuming act -- singer/guitarist Brooke Manning transitioned from soundcheck to the band's short set without so much as a hello. Her quiet, minimalist approach didn't help. But with a beautiful voice and some great dissonant noise courtesy of her keyboard player and cellist, who ran his instrument through a laptop and effects board, they quickly won over the small crowd gathered in the back room of the Cameron House. Effortlessly recreating the half-dozen tunes from LOOM's debut EP Epyllion, the only real flaw in their set was a lack of momentum. Still, once Manning and co. get some more experience outside the recording studio, LOOM could be something to behold.