Spotlight on
The Withering Pines and Peter Shmelzer
THE WITHERING PINES
ERIC VIEWEG IS a well-known and well-respected local artist. After garnering a reputation for his solo release The Silver Lining, Vieweg has joined with fellow Ottawa musicians Matt Ouimet, J.J. Ipsen, Matt Aston, and Anders Drerup—together, they are The Withering Pines. The band has recently released their first full-length album, Into Corners. Featuring eight tracks of upbeat melodies and soft, well-spoken lyrics, the record is a solid piece of work. Songs like “Kate or Katherine,” “To Turn Green Again,” and “Whisper in the Night” illuminate this band’s folk rock sound with an eclectic twist.
Sounds like: A soft, collaborative piece between the Beatles and Plants and Animals.
Check it out: The Withering Pines will be playing at Irene’s Pub (885 Bank St.) on Nov. 14 at 8 p.m.—the first big show since the album release in February. The show is 19+.
PETER SHMELZER
THE HUMAN BODY can take on countless different shapes and forms, but in the work of Ottawa artist Peter Shmelzer, the human body takes on different deformations. His depictions of the human body are executed in a disturbing style that is distorted, yet intriguing to the eye of any viewer. Working with traditional media, Shmelzer’s paintings are ambiguous, inventive, and captivating. Describing his work on lapetitemort.ca, Shmelzer said that viewers are intended to “recognize in these images a reflection of both the creepiness and silliness of contemporary human life.” His works “Golden,” “Better Stronger Faster,” and “1-900-Help,” in particular, reveal his intent.
Looks like: Paintings look like the better-looking family members of the characters from The Hills Have Eyes.
Check it out: Shmelzer’s exhibition, “Better than Blood,” runs until Nov. 1 at La Petite Mort Gallery (320 Cumberland St.), from 11 a.m.–6 p.m, Wednesday through Sunday.
