6 pm | PANTAYO featuring SUSIE IBARRA
Pantayo are queer Filipinx kulintang gong punks based in Tkaronto, Canada. The ensemble combines traditional Kulintang music from the Philippines with contemporary influences and experimental sounds derived from their experiences as queer diasporic Filipinxs in Turtle Island.
In addition to the kulintang, the band also incorporates vocals, drums, synths, and other instruments into their music and performances. Their unique sound blends traditional elements with modern styles like R&B, pop, punk, and electronic music.
Eirene Cloma synth, guitar, vocals
Michelle Cruz agong, vocals
Joanna Delos Reyes sarunay, vocals
Kat Estacio electronics, vocals
Katrin Estacio kulintang, vocals
Pantayo's music is not only a reflection of their cultural heritage but also a testament to the creativity and diversity of the Canadian music landscape.
“deconstructing Filipino kulintang music with a punk sensibility and gorgeous synth pop melodies.” – Consequence
“Blending atonal traditional percussion, electronic production, and Western influences including synth-pop, R&B, and punk, these eight tracks are joyful, resilient, and wholly contemporary.“ – Pitchfork
“Pantayo is a sampler of the sound of the Filipino diaspora, and a field guide to finding defiant happiness even (or especially) as the world burns.” – Bandcamp
Our featured artist in residence at this year’s festival, master-percussionist, composer Susie Ibarra will perform with Pantayo for the first time, both on some of her songs, some Filipino traditionals, and Pantayo material. Definitely one of the exciting highlights of the festival… something to write home about!
Photos © Yann Garcia & Ryan Lash
7 pm | CHIK WHITE featuring NAOMI MCCARROLL-BUTLER
Performing for a second time today at our festival, Darcy Spidle adopted the stage name chik white in 2004 when he became the vocalist for the Halifax crust-punk band The Hold. That project lasted five years, resulting in two full-length albums, multiple singles/EPs, and several tours. Spidle kept the chik white name for other noisy projects, including Vennt, Attack Mode, and Shitcook. He also uses the pseudonym for his work as an actor (Lowlife, Tin Can, The Sinner).
While best known for his work with the jaw harp, his practice has expanded to include voice, nose flutes, horns, harmonica, guitar, and video. He has released numerous albums on international labels such as Kraak, Notice, Feeding Tube, Full Spectrum, and Sound Holes. His collaborators include Bill Nace, Xuan Ye, Colin Fisher, Daniel Tapper, Naomi McCarroll-Butler, and Bekah Simms.
On this occasion, he will perform a solo set followed by sharing with us an ongoing dialogue in the form of a duet with simpatico collaborator, fiercely talented multi-instrumentalist, especially on saxophones and woodwinds, Naomi McCarroll-Butler.
8 pm | CALLISTO
Saxophonist Peter Van Huffel’s latest project is a bass-less quartet that skews the line between composition and improvisation. Featuring Peter on baritone saxophone and electronics, Canadian trumpeter Lina Allemano, Greek pianist and electronics artist Antonis Anissegos, and German drummer Joe Herstenstein, CALLISTO offers a unique and profound approach to modern jazz with their debut album, “Meandering Demons”… innovation meets tradition and sonic landscapes are painted with bold strokes of creativity.
Peter’s innovative compositions serve as the backbone for this project, weaving intricate tapestries that combine structured elements with the spontaneity of free improvisation. Some pieces are expansive and suite-like, taking the listener on a journey of musical adventure and surprise, while others offer a slow build which develops gradually through subtle harmonic twists and layering of sound. The absence of bass in this ensemble offers the piano an extended space in which to explore the vast range of the instrument while trumpet and baritone highlight frequencies at opposite ends of the spectrum, giving the four-piece band an almost orchestral presence. With the addition of electronics subtly incorporated into the sound of the piano and blended at select moments with the resonance of the acoustic horns, CALLISTO is a captivating musical experience that transcends genre and resonates with jazz enthusiasts and adventurous listeners alike.
CALLISTO’s inaugural album “Meandering Demons” is slated for release in March 2024 on the renowned Portuguese avant-jazz label Clean Feed Records. This carefully selected collection of tracks showcases the quartet’s unquestionable chemistry, pushing the boundaries of the jazz tradition and inviting listeners into a realm of sonic exploration.
Photo © Manuel Miethe
Sunday Evening Ticket:
$33 advance / $40 door (1 event, 3 sets)
Festival Weekend Pass:
$100 (7 ticketed events, 16 acts, up to $235 value)
Discounted Advance Tickets & Passes:
E-transfer (no fee) tix@zulapresents.org or EVENTBRITE (+fee)
Students, Seniors, Underwaged at the Door (cash/e-transfer):
$20/event, $30 day passes, $80 festival pass, in person w/ID
No one will be refused admission for lack of funds
In our 12th year of operation, as Zula Presents Something Else!, we are most grateful to Canada Council for the Arts, Department of Canadian Heritage, and The City of Hamilton for their financial support to make these festival events possible. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our partners Hamilton Public Library and Open Streets for their kind support and enthusiasm.