Two Sundays past, at the Cass Cafe a collection of Detroit's finest eclectic bands known as the Cass Collective assembled to put on an evening of solid music.  Featured was the folky Tovio, the soulful acoustic-driven Markita Moore, the dynamic duo of Sneaky and the Rat, poetry by Sarah Sandwiches and Emily Brent, and Chicago's indie rock sensation C. J. Boyd.  Also playing was Big Black Cloud, though Detroit Chic was not able to stay to watch their set (though we talked to the band extensively!).

(All pictures by Jason Mick and Detroit Chic, courtesy of the Cass Cafe and respective bands)

After a terrific dinner at the Cass Cafe , Detroit Chic settled in to watch the Cass Collective put on a dynamic night of creative music and poetry.  The set was supposed to start at 8 pm, but the set was delayed till around 9 pm, due to some of the bands being held up.  Once the evening got started, though, the listeners could tell that it would be worth the wait.

First up was Markita Moore .  Moore has an enjoyable voice and provided upbeat acoustic rock that mixed jazz, soul, and folk influences.  She brings to mind artists like Ani DiFranco and Cat Power.  Overall it was a fun set.

                   
      Pictured: Markita Moorebrings a soulful acoustic rock sound.  She led of the talented group of artists at the Cass Cafe two Sundays ago.

Next up was the highlight of the evening.  After Markita Moore finished up, Tovio and his band went onstage.  Drew Roberts, who goes by the stage name Tovio, leads the band.  Roberts, an accomplished musician on many instruments, writes a unique brand of folk that combines his love for vaudevillian performance and ethnic music. 

          
      Pictured: Tovio Roberts and his brand combine ethnic folk music and vaudvillian stylings into a unique brand of indie rock.

Tovio took the stage, and launched into a feverish performance.  For the first couple songs he played the accordion, which add an interesting twist to the music.  Tovio ripped through songs like "Swarthy Cabaret", which showcased Robert's creative talent with wild imaginative lyrics that flowed out in fiery verse.  Tovio has a heady lilting backbeat in many of these songs, obviously inspired by European folk music, which is sure to make your foot tap and make you want to break out into a dance.

                  
      Pictured: Drew Roberts, who goes by the stage name Tovio, plays the accordion, guitar, percussion, and harmonica with equal ease.  He also sings in a low fiery folk style that will leave your foot tapping.

In later songs in the set Roberts switched to guitar duties and he led his female backup vocalist take over.  She did an admirable job, keeping with the folky feel, while providing a lyrical contrast to Roberts hushed and frentic voice.  Roberts even tossed in harmonica and percussion to spice up a couple of the songs.

After Tovio, Sarah Sandwiches and Emily Brent came on and recited a pair of poems.  Their poetry was read over Robert's strummed guitar and was written in a beat style.  It featured strong imagery and packed a punch.  Sarah's poems were a bit more on dreamy/imaginative side, while her poetry protege Brent offered more of a stark style featuring harsh images.

After their first round of poetry the duo gave up the stage to another duo -- Sneaky and the Rat .  Sneaky and the Rat performed a number of songs and proved an interesting mix.  Sneaky, curly haired and with a classic folk voice looks every bit like a young Bob Dylan.  Sneaky certainly seemed to be channeling a bit of Dylan, playing the harmonic and singing through folksy songs that showcased his strong voice.

           
      Pictured: Sneaky (seated right) and the Rat (standing in black, left) provide an interesting duo contrasting emotional singing with a more folky sound.

In an interesting contrast the Rat provided guitar and emotional lyrics somewhat reminiscent of Daphne Loves Derby or other low-key emotional indie rock acts.  Together the pair put on a dynamic set.  They were backed by the ubiquitous Roberts, who played tambourine to accentuate their set.  Again, like with the round of poetry, Roberts contributed in an unobtrusive, but helpful manner enriching the act.  This demonstrated a bit of maturity on Roberts part, for a leading musician to be capable of assuming such backup roles and quietly make the most of them without showboating.

                      
      Pictured: Sneaky is definitely channeling some Dylan both musically and in looks, looking very much like a young Dylan.

After Sneaky and the Rat there was more poetry to be had.  Brent delivered an extremely provocative piece titled "Penetration" that left the crowd gasping and cheering.  By the middle of its delivery she had the crowd hanging morbidly on her every word.  She revelled in this power ripping through the poem with panache.  She followed with another strong poem about smoking, but after the first poem, the audience was visibly recovering, though still very much involved.  Brent's powerful performance, which focused somewhat on eroticism/fetishism in subject matter, bordered on vulgarity, but tread that fine line of keeping the audience in enthralled disgust.

                    
      Pictured: Emily Brent delivers her provocative piece "Penetration" with power, revelling in the thrall she pulls her audience into.

After Brent and Sarah, next up was C. J. Boyd.   Boyd, the only non-local act hails from Chicago.  With a flowing beard and a puffy fro, Boyd looks like he stepped off a ship from the 70s.  He also is an incredibly talented musician.  Boyd began slowly and launched into a long 10+ minute plus of effect filled bass guitar and harmonica.  The heavy dark, steely sound of his music sounded almost like a one man version of the indie orchestral band, Godspeed You! Black Emperor.  While this does not sound possible, Boyd's music is very reminiscent of GY!BE's doomsday themed album f#a# infinity.  You would not think such a complex sound could come out of a single man, but that's where Boyd's talent truly comes out.

                 
      Pictured:C.J. Boyd's dark and flowing brand of instrumental indie rock sounds incredibly like a one man Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Midway through a second, equal powerful rolling song Detroit Chic, seeing it a proper way to make a hasty departure left into the Detroit night after experiencing a great musical adventure.  Though we did not get to see Big Black Cloud, Detroit Chic spoke extensively with Andrew Davies, who gave helpful commentary on the Cass Collective.  We look forward to checking out his band sometime soon, and we hope you will too!  Be sure to check out Tovio, Markita Moore, and Sneaky and the Rat, as well, and poets Sarah Sandwiches and Emily Brent.  Each of these artists brings a unique brand of independent talent to the Detroit scene.  And if you are in Chicago, be sure to check out C. J. Boyd and prepare to be impressed.