Image by Gareth Vieira
Canadian cupids
Toronto trio Hunter Valentine offers a “hearty” Valentine's Day show
By Stevie Howell
Published: February 17th, 2008 | 6:03pm
February 14, 2008, in Toronto — Valentine's Day can be divisive: Is it too cliché and commercial? And what if you don't have a partner? On top of it all, Valentine's occurs at practically the coldest and darkest time of year — but Hunter Valentine decided to solve this dilemma by holding a Valentine's party at the Reverb in Toronto, and it was a cheap and cheerful group get-together that warmed hearts in the way that only music can.
Hunter Valentine is a hard-rocking all-female band with an infectiously catchy Tegan & Sara-like sound, but with more of a garage-rock influence. In two short years, it has released an EP, played countless shows, and signed to High Romance Music, an imprint of True North Records. In April 2007, the trio released its first full-length album, The Impatient Romantic (High Romance Music).
The band has built a considerable and loyal following, as was apparent at the Valentine's Day party. Hundreds of enthusiastic fans danced and sang along with every word, especially to crowd favorites such as “Break This,” “The Problem With Devotion,” and “Typical.” Strong in both attitude and style, the members also exhibit phenomenal musicianship: Drummer Laura Petracca and bassist Adrienne Lloyd are professionally trained, and singer-guitarist Kiyomi McCloskey has a flawless voice paired with an unforgettable presence.
The room was decorated like a high school dance with hundreds of paper hearts, streamers, and balloons hanging from the rafters, giving the venue and the performance a true D.I.Y charm. Combined with edgy tunes and an indie crowd, it was the perfect antidote to the sometimes overly-sweetened day known as Valentine's.
Issue #25
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