Myriam Gendron + The Memory Band

Mon 7 April, 20:15
£18 + bf

Upset The Rhythm presents

The Montreal-based Quebecoise folk singer-songwriter and guitarist at Grand Junction.

+ Support act The Memory Band

Gendron will perform songs from her third LP, Mayday, as well as her acclaimed albums Not So Deep As A Well (2014) and Ma délire – Songs of Love, Lost & Found (2021).

While working at a Montreal bookstore, Myriam discovered Dorothy Parker’s poetry and was inspired to set it to music. Recorded in her bedroom, these songs became her debut LP, celebrated for its freshness, clarity, and humour. In her next album, Myriam explored Quebec’s folk traditions, creating Ma délire, a 2LP blending traditional and original songs with avant-garde interludes featuring collaborators like guitarist Bill Nace (Body/Head) and renowned jazz percussionist Chris Corsano. Her latest album, Mayday, pushes this further, fusing folk and experimental sounds with contributions from Jim White, Marisa Anderson, and Zoh Amba.

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ARTISTS:

MYRIAM GENDRON

A Montreal-based songwriter, guitarist and singer. Mayday is the third LP by Gendron, it follows her earlier, critically acclaimed albums, Not So Deep As A Well (2014) and Ma délire – Songs of love, lost & found (2021). Prior to her debut album, Myriam’s primary musical focus was busking in Paris Metro stations, performing the songs of Leonard Cohen and others, accompanying herself on guitar. Through her day job, working at a Montreal bookstore, Myriam discovered the poems of American writer, Dorothy Parker, who was better known for her cutting wit than her verse. Inspired by Parker’s words, Myriam wrote music to accompany a suite of them, then recorded the results in her bedroom. These recordings were issued as her debut LP, and continue to delight listeners who discover them, with their freshness, clarity and humor. After a brief hiatus, Myriam began exploring the complex folk traditions of Quebec (and beyond), recording the 2LP, Ma délire, which combines traditional and original songs (largely in French) with arrangements that make space for avant-garde musical interludes by such folks as guitarist Bill Nace (Body/Head) and renowned jazz percussionist Chris Corsano. Mayday is an even more syncretic fusion of these elements. Most of the songs are original, in both English and French, and blend traditional and avant elements with abandon. Additional players this time include drummer Jim White (Dirty Three), guitarist Marisa Anderson, Montreal bassist Cédric Dind-Lavoie (a fellow fan of trad/avant dynamism), Bill Nace and saxophonist Zoh Amba (whose horn actually gets the final “word”). Mayday is a thoroughly thrilling effort that manages to create new vistas of sound while maintaining a feel that is both intimate and familiar. Beautiful work.

https://myriamgendron.bandcamp.com/

THE MEMORY BAND

THE MEMORY BAND have been navigating its own path through the folk music landscape of the digital age since 2003. Led by producer Stephen Cracknell with a fluid cast of collaborators The Memory Band blend songs and instrumentals, the traditional with the modern and the sacred with the profane.

Their two decade adventure has produced six studio albums as well as side projects such as The Balearic Folk Orchestra and The Accidental. They have a long history of performing music from Paul Giovanni’s soundtrack to The Wicker Man as well as other film and archive related projects. In 2024 The Memory Band released ‘Never The Same Way Twice and ‘A Common Treasury’ two volumes of unreleased archive recordings on their own Hungry Hill label and in 2025 make their return to live performance.
https://thememoryband.com/

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UPSET THE RHYTHM

A record label and live music promotions company run by Christopher Tipton and based in London, UK. Since 2003, they’ve developed a programme of eclectic, innovative and thought-provoking music events across the capital and beyond. They’ve worked with musicians from all over the world, including memorable shows for Omar Souleyman, Asiq Nargile, OOIOO, Islam Chipsy and Group Doueh, alongside concerts for more well-known acts like Sleaford Mods, Future Islands, Grouper, Ty Segall, Richard Dawson, Lankum, Deerhoof, Wolf Eyes, Moor Mother, Mount Eerie and Oneohtrix Point Never.

Date: Monday 7 April 2025

Start Time (Support act): 20:15

Myriam Gendron: 21.00

Doors: 19:30

Seating: The concert is unreserved seating.

Bar:  Open from 19:30. We serve a selection of craft beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks.

Length: approx. 2 hours

Tickets: £18 + bf

We recommend pre-booking tickets to guarantee entry. Booking on the door will result in an additional fee of £1.

Venue: Grand Junction at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Rowington Close, London W2 5TF

Closest Stations: Royal Oak (Circle and Hammersmith & City line) 0.3 miles

Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo line) 0.4 miles

Paddington Station (National Rail services and Circle, District, Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City line) 0.9 miles