Not the Wind Not the Flag

To walk in on Not the Wind, Not the Flag performing is to come upon a unique spectacle of manipulation, where familiar instruments are transformed into something else entirely. Brandon Valdivia remains one of Canada's most dynamic, powerful and resourceful percussionists. A sensitive throttler, he uses an array of implements (sticks, spit) to create a singular sound and here he also spent time with a mixing console, sending his processed voice and melodica into the mix. Colin Fisher gently struck gongs, played flute and destroyed on his sax while Valdivia responded in kind, and finally sent rich guitar tones, powered by Moog modulators, echo, and various other pedals, out into the air to close a powerful and inspiring mid-afternoon set.