Everybody responds differently, but for the most part I think it’s like getting punched in the chest. In the same instant as your breath rushes from your body, scrabbling to drag your soul along with it, you become acutely aware of two things simultaneously: the icy cold finger of God reaching deep inside your corporal container and settling on your heart, and the complete and utter helplessness that comes with knowing there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. Which is to say, when an integral member of your band leaves, bails, fucks off, bids adieu, parts company, splits, takes a hike or, most demoralizing of all, pursues an education in the hopes of assuring themselves a future – see ya later, hope the door doesn’t slap your ass on the way out! – it can be scary for those left behind, those who have invested so much of themselves in the realization of the tunes, man. But then you get over it, as I was discussing with Montreal’s One Candle Power, noting that it’s hard to keep a really good band down (and for reasons known only to His Holy Cold Fingers, even harder to keep really bad bands down).

One Candle Power, on the eve of an important show this weekend designed to showcase mostly new material and raise money for an upcoming full-length release (following two EP releases, 2001′s do you think that sparks will fly? and 2003′s not with a bang, but with a whimper), suffered the desertion of much-loved guitarist Moses Mathur, who has turned his attention to med school. Wuss.

Aw, just kidding. That kind of call is never easy.

In addition to the irreplaceable karma that comes with having someone named Moses in your band, Mathur’s songwriting contribution was key to the indie band’s ever more tangible success, which is also in direct correlation to the band’s work ethic: They’ve sold online and offstage over 1,600 CDs during the course of more than 110 shows in just under three years of existence. Serious DIY to everyone else’s DUI. And while this weekend’s show is still on, the band’s future has yet to be wholly determined.

"Currently we’re unsure," says slightly dejected-sounding singer and guitarist Chrissy Musacchio. "We might be cancelling our Maritimes tour, though that has yet to be confirmed. But this show will definitely be the last one with Moses."

Brightening, she adds, "You know, I really tend to consider this as just an evolution."

Bassist Andre Guerette shares this nascent optimism. "As far as the album is concerned, we’re planning to go ahead and record this summer. There might be a slight delay, but everything is set to go ahead in July, and Moses has said he’d still be interested in recording it, so this is something we have to discuss."

Predictably, timing is an issue in Mathur’s departure (is it ever not?). "We definitely feel that if we can put together a full-length album, things are really going to take off for us," speculates Guerette. "It’s a developmental phase for us for sure, but we really feel like timing is crucial right now, so him leaving this week isn’t that great."

"Either way, Moses’ withdrawal from the band is not going to stop our momentum," says a less equivocal Musacchio. "I absolutely see this as an opportunity to take it elsewhere, since some of the songs are a couple of years old at this point and a lot of the new songs I’m madly in love with."

While drawing liberally from an indie aesthetic that dictates equal parts sour and sweet, the dissonance in their writing, where it exists, serves more as a warning, a reminder of what the band is capable of, and doesn’t derail the dominant melody lines that streak the ever more sophisticated material, occasionally venturing so far into the open in places as to be, almost, Pixies-ish. But of particular resonance is the overall perception of a band doing their utmost to challenge themselves, which accounts not only for a dedicated fan base, but also for their particular disappointment in a setback that is but part of the natural lifespan of any band.

"A lot of the new stuff is more expansive and intricate, and this is what people will hear on Friday," says Guerette, upbeat. "Definitely we’ve grown as people and musicians, so I think the new stuff is bit more interesting. And we’ve also written a new song entirely as a three-piece…"

Yeah, it’s called "Fuck Moses."

"No, no, no," laughs Guerette, reiterating his sympathy for his departing bandmate’s situation, "but we’ll be performing it, and it’ll be the first time without major involvement from Moses, so it’s given us a bit of faith to be able to play without him, even though he’s a terrific musician."

Still, Musacchio – who co-founded One Candle Power with Mathur – is quite convinced that this particular blowout, as it were, is "going to be a very emotional show for us – I wouldn’t be surprised if I bawl, because in addition to Moses being someone I’ve played with over the years, I also consider him to be a best friend."

Well, out with the old, in with the new, right? Right. Musacchio and One Candle Power would also have it be known that they’re in the market for a new best friend, and if you happen to play guitar like a hellion, so much the better. The band lay out their criteria for prospective players as follows:

"Is able to tour and/or play at least 100 out-of-town shows per year; is a kind-hearted individual with a good sense of personal politics [Ed.'s note: And might I add "hygiene"]; is able to put the band before almost every other aspect of life; is dependable and reliable; has a driver’s license; is over 21 years old; has all the equipment necessary to play shows; does not wank too much on the guitar [Ed.'s note: Though wanking elsewhere is permissible and even encouraged! ...Ahem, sorry] and is able to handle playing, at times, very minimal and beautiful things; plays with careful sensibility to dynamics; is able to sing well."

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the band forthwith at onecandlepower@hotmail.com as they intend to begin auditioning people as early as possible.

To get an idea of what you might be letting yourself in for, I strongly suggest catching One Candle Power when they team up with franco indie rockers Malajube, the "Sudbury insanity" of varge+buche and dear Halifax friends The Burdocks at Casa del Popolo, April 30, starting at 9 p.m. All for only a fin.

Anarchists organize and… sing? To help raise funds (in the least capitalist way possible, of course) for the fifth edition of Montreal’s Anarchist Bookfair, local activist, writer, musician and revolutionary Renaissance man Norman Nawrocki is helping organize a benefit at El Salon (4388 St-Laurent), ce soir, April 29. "The bookfair, May 15 and 16, is the largest of its kind in Canada, and attracts a few thousand people," explains Nawrocki. "It is free, family-friendly and is the single biggest anarchist event in this city."

On the expansive (though not expensive) bill are Nawrocki’s band DaZoque! ("a six-piece, East European strings and beats ensemble"), Dragana ("a six-voice, Balkan women’s choir"), Ivy ("a high-energy francophone singer"), Nawrocki himself ("treated violin, beats, spoken word") and the world debut of the Montreal Anarchist Choir. Which has got to make you just the least bit curious, no?

"DaZoque! and Dragana will do a few numbers together, which is a first," says Nawrocki. "Twelve people on the stage together, with the band accompanying the choir. This will be exciting. And this will be followed by a multi-voiced anarchist choir accompanied by DaZoque! Equally exciting."

Catch the excitement tonight starting at 8:30 p.m. for eight bills.

Last writes Those crazy Crazy Rhythm Daddies go animal at the newly opened Zoo Lounge (at 4061 Ontario) on Saturday, May 1. Think rockabilly, think western swing, think jump jazz, country and blues, and best of all, think NO ADMISSION. The craziness starts at 9 p.m…. And Saturday is silly for rockabilly, as Montreal’s super-tuneful Gutter Demons jump into L’X, also May 1, along with Chubby, Manic Manon and The Shifters.