SXSW 2010: Princeton, Kanine Records Showcase @ Wave Rooftop
Posted by: nick
Princeton are another U.S. band that we’ve been following for some time now and were eager to get a first in the flesh glimpse of. Lead by co-frontmen and twin brothers Matt and Jesse Kivel, the L.A. band take us through some gorgeous guitar lead tunes from their debut long player Cocoon Of Love, out last year on Kanine Records who tonight present this very showcase.
For Fans Of: Wilco, Yo La Tengo, Vampire Weekend.
Princeton are an early highlight on a strong bill that later features overnight sensations Surfer Blood. Twins Matt and Jesse are alike in stature and even similar in voice but their musical styles are noticeably different. Jesse tends to take lead on the more dancey numbers and his current side project Kisses seems a natural extension of this.
Upon speaking to Matt this evening it transpires that he has a real love for Wilco and on stage tonight and apparently quite often he implores people to buy Yo La Tengo’s I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One and Princeton tonight offer up a cover of ‘Sugarcube’ with some ferocious guitar work from Matt. You can notice him trying to work this sort of style into some of Princeton’s other songs during their set which isn’t as apparent on the album versions.
Of their own songs the real highlight has to be Show Some Love, When Your Man Gets Home for which the band are joined on stage by Camera Obscura’s trumpet player who they will join on the road following SXSW. They then wash up on the UK shores for a couple of shows at Old Blue Last on May 10th and then White Heat on May 11th.
