SPILL LIVE REVIEW: MOBIUS RADIO w/ DROP TOP ALIBI & DR. DRAW @ THE HORSESHOE TAVERN, TORONTO

MOBIUS RADIO w/ DROP TOP ALIBI & DR. DRAW

@ THE HORSESHOE TAVERN, TORONTO

AUGUST 18, 2023

Hot off the release of their debut, eponymous album, a progressive concept record narrated by iconic Canadian DJ and author Jeff Woods, Mobius Radio celebrated their release at The Horseshoe Tavern. Presented by Smoking Room Only and hosted by Woods, the Mobius Radio Album Release Show featured performances by Drop Top Alibi and Dr. Draw, making for a truly eclectic showcase of local, independent talent.

Opening the night was one of Toronto’s most premier of bands, a band whom you should expect nothing short of excellence from, Drop Top Alibi. Their set kicked off with an instrumental composition before transitioning into “Dylsong” from last year’s EP, Anyways…. Seamlessly blurring the lines between classic rock and grungy influences, there is always something special to catching this band live. Performing Anyways… in its entirety, along with older favourites “Burn” and “Heavy Metal Baby”, Drop Top Alibi continues to prove that they are a band not to miss.

MOBIUS RADIO ALBUM REVIEW

Taking the stage second of the three band bill was the headliner, Mobius Radio, a duo consisting of singer and guitarist Dylan Hennessy and drummer Alex Van Briggle. Within their set, the duo accompanied by Woods and later Sumo Cyco’s Oscar Anesetti on bass, achieved the impossible by replicating their album in a live context without the sound feeling diminished in any way. Hennessy’s ability to loop and layer various guitar and vocal lines is unparalleled and, backed by Van Briggle’s drum and bass beats, feels like watching a modern take of Phil Spector’s wall of sound being built, loop by loop, right in front of you. This is furthered by two very crucial pieces; firstly, their ability to remain an unshakeably tight unit, never falling out of sync with the loops is no easy feat. At any point, this performance could have fallen apart quite easily, yet there wasn’t a single moment where they faltered. Secondly, the sheer musicianship, and the virtuosic nature of their performance and songwriting is jaw dropping. The addition of Anesetti on bass for the latter half of their set allowed for the music to fill out and grow towards a climax with their closing track, “Mountain”. Furthermore, Woods added a unique dimension to the performance, adding his spoken word elements from the record in between songs, along with ad-libbing with that iconic voice of his, creating the context of a pirate radio show. All in all, Mobius Radio is truly a spectacle with their live show exceeding the excitement of that on their debut album.

Closing the night was Dr. Draw And The Strange Parade. The instrumental ensemble, led by Dr. Draw on his electric, golden violin, performed through a series of pop-inspired songs. The juxtaposition between this and the use of a violin as the lead melody was just enough to make their performance unlike anything you’ve seen. A key moment for their performance was their use of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” during a disco medley.

Front to back, the Mobius Radio Album Release Show was a triumphant affair. While it was, without a doubt, a huge night for Mobius Radio and company, in a wider lens, this was a celebration of musicianship and community within the Toronto music scene. Three bands, each very different from one another, all of which incredibly talented, took the stage at The Horseshoe Tavern that night and lit a spotlight on to the diversity and uniqueness on independent Toronto music.

Mobius Radio Links

Drop Top Alibi Links

Dr. Draw Links