21 tandem Repeats

Listen to me

I know after a couple weeks of overindulgence in wine and women and song and such, the last thing you want to hear about is a dinner time musical variety show that takes place in a bar, but you really should pay attention to this.

There is this musician in town that goes by the name Super Robertson. And super he is. He is a founding member of the avant-garde jazz-rock outfit Roadbed, runs the Canada Lynx record label, and is presently involved in two of the city's more intriguing musical projects, 21 Tandem Repeats and Supersimian. And while these are all fine and noble contributions to our local music scene, the greatest debt we owe this artist is for his Super Robertson Supper Show.

You see, the Super Robertson Supper Show isn't your usual fare. Yes, the show usually features two or three local performers, but there is also a bit of extra-musical entertainment.

As Robertson puts it, "At the supper show, when the curtain gets pulled, you never quite know what's going to appear."

Between sets, Robertson has conducted aerobics classes, delivered sermons, given quizzes to the audience, and hosted clinics on burlesque dancing. Once, he even gave an audience member a haircut onstage while one of the bands played. Need I say more?

So stop worrying about your continued overindulgence. It's okay to go to a bar and have dinner in January. If it makes you feel better, walk there. But honestly, maybe your New Year's resolution shouldn't be to lose weight, drink less, and save money. Maybe your New Year's resolution should just be to get out of the house and go do something different once in a while. And my friends, the Super Robertson Supper Show is different.

Catch the Super Robertson Supper Show every Wednesday at the Railway Club, 7:30 to 8:30.
RC JOSEPH - 24 HOURS (Jan 4, 2006)

- 24 Hours

"The headline entertainment did not disappoint. 21 Tandem Repeats led by Super Robertson and an arsenal of tunes that could destroy the most prolific of songwriters gave the audience an infectious groove and soft-spoken wit to sip on. "
- Lynx Paw Courier

"The album opener, “Come Again,” is the strongest track—a gloriously breezy and catchy semi-pastoral backporch gallop celebrating the upside of the downer life: the authentic sense of freedom and parity found in good friends and good times. And who can’t get behind that?"

MARY CHRISTA O’KEEFE - vue weekly

Now, having just issued their second release and with work already begun on the third, the band is “trying to claw their way into the Canadian music scene radar.” Given the strength of Never Wanted…, that shouldn’t be too great a problem. While at times the record does meander into rather loose, experimental territory, generally it is held together fast by folk-infused country rhythms, catchy guitar picking, and an easy-going lyrical sensibility. This is a west-coast take on the Canadian alt-country scene that so far has largely been centred in Quebec. Good time mellow jam tunes. - spillmagazine

"The beautiful guitar riffs are worth listening to."

"...cute, catchy guitar riffs..."

"...nice guitar work..."
- University of Western Ontario Gazette

Vancouver singer-songwriter "Super" Robertson wants his group to be the quintessential Canuck band and their sophomore album may find more than a few converts to his cause thanks to their witty, guileless and sometimes folksy mid-tempo tunes. The loose sounding arrangements and uncluttered production add to the charm. - What's on Winnipeg

A story ran in the local paper 24 Hours with the idea that Canadian bands are relishing in their own identity.

The article stated "An act that can easily lay claim to this rediscovered Canadian rock tradition is the decidedly groovie-yet-folkie 21 tandem repeats". The article went on to say "21 tandem repeats has the sound and soul that could make Neil Young think about moving back". - 24 hours