A Real Party: Thundercat at The History Ottawa

Words & photos by Edie Olender

I spent my last hours of being twenty-two years old standing in a crowded room filled with jazz music and flashing lights. For a while, I was not sure if I really wanted to be here. I had originally planned to have a nice shower to wash away the old year, make Jell-O shots for my birthday party the next day, and have a calm, relaxing birthday morning eating a freshly baked cinnamon bun. Being here means I must edit photos early tomorrow morning to meet the turnaround deadline. It means I am spending my last minutes of being twenty-two surrounded by strangers.

Though looking around the crowded room, I am thinking about how it’s a Wednesday night and most people here will have work tomorrow morning. Yet the floor is packed tightly with individuals who have all given their evening to hear Thundercat. Perhaps there’s a reason this show drew in such a crowd. Perhaps I’m in for a good show.

The original opener, TiaCorine, encountered Visa issues at the border and was unable to perform. Instead, they had local Ottawa DJ Chefnier spin some songs. Trippy background visuals of spinning heads with a disco ball pattern and rotating cans of Campbell’s tomato soup were projected behind him. I watched, entranced by the visuals just as much as I was entranced by the music. Layering popular radio hits over heavy bass and beats gave a nice spin on those songs.

The room was building in anticipation for Thundercat. Looking around, it was such a mix of people. Young and old; people in plaid flannels or leather jackets or button-up T-shirts. There was no one type of person, which I think is always telling of a talented artist when they can reach such a diverse crowd. Within the first few notes, it was clear why all these people had come out to see this show. It was something that dug into your brain and rooted there and just made you want to dance. It was impossible to stand still.

How did Thundercat get such an expansive and intricate sound? Stephan Lee Burner, the artist behind Thundercat, came on stage with not a regular four-string bass, but a six-string bass that allowed him to capture complex jazz R&B fusion. His playing was impressive, going from tight riff to tight riff while maintaining an incredibly smooth flow. I was just as amazed by the intricacy of his playing as by the energy in the crowd as they fed off the warbly bass and euphonic vocals.

I thought about my original plans. My shower. My Jell-O shots. I would have been alone in my apartment, and though I love my solitude and comfort nights, there was also something special about being here. It’s a reflection of my past year, which revolved around live music. Of course, I would be spending my last hours of being twenty-two years old at the Thundercat show because it was the epicentre of energy in Ottawa on this Wednesday night. This was the place to be. All of my worries about growing up, about what if I’m too old for wild nights out, about making rent, and finishing my degree, all disappeared for those few hours. I just could exist, and I felt more present in those last hours of being twenty-two than I did in most of the past year. In the end, I was glad I spent my last little bit of being twenty-two years old here at this show. 

Thundercat

DJ Chefnier Opening for Thundercat