Purveyors of: Reunions, dance-punk, electric energy
File next to: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Ting Tings, The Organ
Appearing: Wavelength Winter Fest 2025 Night 2: Ducks LTD. + Tallies + Alex Nicol + Priors + controller.controller + Essie Watts + Sad Stab (DJ Set): February 28, 2025 @ St. Anne’s Parish (651 Dufferin Street)
In the early 2000s, controller.controller‘s dance-punk movement made them a stand-out in Canada’s indie-rock scene. After a brief reunion in 2015 for Wavelength’s 15th anniversary, the prolific group is back again to celebrate our 25th anniversary at this year’s Winter Fest. We asked members Scott Kaija, Colwyn Llewellyn-Thomas, and Nirmala Basnayake to talk about what Wavelength’s 25th anniversary means to them.
WL: In three words, can you describe the Wavelength experience to someone who’s never been to a show ?
SK – Communal / Accessible / Illuminating
WL: How has playing at Wavelength helped you connect with other artists in the community ?
SK – Hard to comment on this one as we’ve been removed from the ever-changing nascent local music scene for a number of years, but back in the early 2000s it did feel like the epicentre of what was happening in the underground at the time. When it was a weekly event, it was also a great way to connect with fellow artists and check out new bands.
WL: What is a ritual or a must-have drink/snack you need before you play a show ?
SK – Trying to get everyone in the same room at the same time is definitely a challenging pre show ritual. Once together, we do love our snacks.
CLT – Glass of rye on ice and a quick puff or two on a joint.
WL: Wavelength has been putting on shows for 25 years. What does the organization’s history mean to you as an artist ? How does it feel to be a part of that history ?
SK – We love the archival aspect of Wavelength. In addition to curating 20+ years of memorable events in Toronto, their historical record of their accomplishments is unparalleled. It really shines a light on the various eras of the Toronto indie music scenes. We’re excited to be part of this prestigious event with a great lineup of old friends and exciting new artists. Hard to imagine that our two reunions have been Wavelength anniversaries (15 and 25).
CLT – You’re ahead by a quarter-century.
WL: If you could curate your dream Wavelength lineup who would play it and why ?
SK: This answer would vary dramatically depending on which of us answered, but for me, I would love to see this lineup: Shotmaker / Squirrel / Royal City. Pretty sure Shotmaker and Squirrel ceased to exist by the time Wavelength started and I don’t think Royal City ever played one. [Ed. note: They did! April 22, 2001 at Ted’s Wrecking Yard.]
CLT: TrackDirtyaz / Suicide / J. J. Cale
NB: D’Urbervilles / Dilly Dally / Debby Friday
SK: Collectively, on a nostalgic level, I’m sure we’d all agree that it would be great to curate a lineup of some of the bands we played or toured with back in the day. Especially those who are no longer with us.
Controller.Controller plays with new wave tinged indie-pop project Essie Watts, all-vinyl DJ sets from the always amazing SadStab, and garage punk outlaws Priors downstairs on Night 2 of Wavelength Winter Festival. Upstairs features music from Montreal indie folk crooner Alex Nicol, jangly indie pop crew Ducks LTD, and swoony dream-pop band Tallies at St. Anne’s Parish.
Thursday Feb 27- Saturday March 1
St. Anne’s Parish Hall
651 Dufferin Street, Toronto
Doors 7pm
$25 single tickets
$55 weekend pass
plus taxes and fees at DICE.FM
Tickets: https://bit.ly/WLwinter25
All Ages + Licensed