First up a quick mention to opening London act Becoming Real whose brand of percussive electronica they’ve labelled ‘Ghost Step’ impressed in parts without ever fully falling into place this evening. Still, one to watch perhaps.

So then tonight Jack Tatum aka Wild Nothing lines up centre stage on lead vocals and guitar and is joined by a guitarist/keyboard player, bassist and drummer who add the requisite layers to Wild Nothing’s superb Cure tinged guitar pop and Smiths-esque melancholy.

A solid sounding new song aside it’s tracks from Tatum’s glorious debut album ‘Gemini’ that the sold out crowd eagerly lap up as the beautiful ‘Chinatown’ (apparently not a mainstay of their set) gets an early airing. ‘Confirmation’ and ‘Witching Hour’ follow hot on its heels as the band start to settle in and crank out some gorgeous shimmering guitar lines and those dreamy keys that hover mist like throughout their songs.

‘Live In Dreams’ is perhaps becoming their most popular tune (it’s line of “We’ve got eyes on the back of our heads” even being hand picked by Upset The Rhythm as the slogan for Wild Nothing’s August headline at the far more worthy Luminaire) and tonight it evokes a suitably euphoric crowd reaction, for a Monday.

‘Summer Holiday’ though, for us at least, is still the winner tonight with Tatum’s instantly nostalgic vocals and ‘”wo wo wos” capping some amazing 80s riffing that we could listen to into the wee hours if it weren’t a Monday, again.

We’d caught the glo-fi wizard very briefly during a rushed solo set at SXSW earlier in the year and were hardly blown away with the whole affair. That was all to change though. Toro Y Moi for this UK tour, and hopefully long into the future, are a three piece. Main man Chazwick Bundick as ever handles vocals, synth, keys and all manner of dizzying loop pedals and effects that would confuse an octopus. Alongside him two new members join on live bass and drums, played with a precision and vigour this evening that really beef up Toro Y Moi’s sound and presence.

We’re taken through a myriad of could be hits from Toro Y Moi’s debut including the stunning back to back combo of ‘Blessa’ and ‘Minors’ which get things underway beautifully with their glitch-hop production and Chaz’s silky smooth vocals bumping-up the dream effect. Unlike talented but slightly uncomfortable live performer Porcelain Raft who opened the show, Chaz is like a sportsman in the zone this evening; nothing looks difficult. It’s a joy to watch and listen as he glides between loops and effects while nailing every vocal note and effortlessly serving up one euphoric synth line after another.

Even the new tracks (we reckon they cracked out three) sounded well-developed and ready for Chaz’s second album which will reputedly also come this year. Oldie (January this year!) ‘Low Shoulder’ was the perfect set closer, turning up the groove with its gorgeous keys and driving the crowd into a dancing frenzy. Well, almost the perfect set closer, as the fiendish Monday night crowd manage to get one more musical hit in the form of a rare encore of album title track ‘Causers Of This’.

Being this good rarely looks this easy but it’s hard to beat when it does.

Toro Y Moi @ Camp Basement, July 19th 2010.

We’d seen Delorean at the Legion last year, after the launch of their Ayrton Senna EP. Then, the crowd (although large) was almost exclusively Spanish, so it was indicative of Delorean’s growing reputation to see that the sell-out at the Lexington was a much more varied bunch.

The new album, Subiza, was rattled-through in it’s entirety, with ‘Grow’ and ‘Stay Close’ providing the undoubted highlights. Keyboardist Unai Lazcano might have scooped the prize for best moves in the house if it wasn’t for some impromptu crowd-surfing from a couple of gents during the head-bouncing ‘Come Wander’.

Searching for constructive criticism though, it was as irritating as it was unnecessary to hear a George Lamb-style foghorn repeatedly used between songs. For a band with three albums under their Balearic belts, it was surprising that they’ve not been advised to cut it out. Subiza is an album that ought to be right up there in the year-end Best Of… lists, and if they could control their horniness they’d have a show to absolutely back it up.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QngeN-5wGQ

The three-piece played a frantic, booze fuelled set at London’s Lexington, complaining about various items of kit breaking as the show goes on. But what could prove disastrous for some bands just adds to the ramshackle glory that is Harlem. As showcased by tracks like ‘South Of France’, ‘Witchgreens’ and ‘Psychedelic Tits’ on their first, self-released album, these guys know how to write a catchy three minute tune. Thankfully all of the above get an airing this evening.

As on record Coomers and Curtis swap between lead vocal/guitar and drums/backing vocal duties and Jose’s bass provides an irresistible groove that runs through their songs. While we’re not yet as familiar with material from second album ‘Hippies’, single ‘Friendly Ghost’ jumps out at us and there’s a few other unrecognised songs that really get the crowd going. Back to older material and ‘Beautiful & Very Smart’ is another frenetic winner.

Tonight’s not about the details though (even our camera didn’t turn up!) , it’s about soaking up a boozy Friday atmosphere and listening to a talented band let themselves have a bit of fun. The result is like an Austin house party in the middle of a London venue and that’s something we’d like to see more of. Hell yeah!

Small Black (New Jersey) open the show and then return after a brief interlude to play as Washed Out a.k.a. Justin Greene’s (Perry, Georgia) backing band. On record both bands have moments that shine individually but as was at SXSW it’s when the two play together tonight that the real magic is found. Although ‘Despicable Dogs’ and ‘Bad Lover’ should get a little mention first as standouts tonight for Small Black.

Small Black seem to gain confidence when joined by Justin, the more natural front-man on show tonight despite starting the evening set back on the stage behind his trusty synth station. It works the other way round too though as Washed Out’s set, which starts with Justin solo, is made instantly more accessible by the appearance of the colourful New Jersey crew of Josh and Ryan (synths/keys/vocals) and Juan and Jeff (bass/drums).

All of Washed Out’s ‘Life Of Leisure’ EP tracks sound pretty huge this evening. Justin proclaims one of them, ‘Get Up’, his only hip-hop track and it’s received with glee. The audience evidently like hip-hop a bit but it’s the more 80s tinged dance numbers like ‘Hold Out’ and ‘You’ll See It’ that really get the crowd moving, including one Friendly Fires front man and one Golden Silvers front man incidentally.

Washed Out’s ‘Feel It All Around’ single gets the biggest cheer of the night before the band are lured back on stage to perform a live rendition of Justin’s superb re-working of Small Black’s crowning jewel ‘Despicable Dogs’.

For a partnership still in its infancy this is a pretty impressive one.

Washed Out + Small Black @ Cargo London, June 1st 2010.

For Fans Of: Brian Jonestown Massacre, Skygreen Leopards, The Warlocks.

Joe Walsh fronted the band on vocals and guitar with his voice really standing up live. His brother Sam, in an awesome Melivins t-shirt, adds some of those beautiful guitar textures we can’t get enough of on their debut album ‘Tendrils’. Meanwhile Ben on a tasty red bass and old school friend Phillipa on drums make up an able rhythm section.

The beauty of Dignan Porch live is their songs range from about one and a half to three minutes in length so there’s space for a lot of them, even in a modest support slot this evening. Single ‘On A Ride’ is precictably brilliant but ‘Flowers In May’, ‘As You Were’, The Warlocks esque ‘No Pressure Baby’ and the more chilled out ‘We Sat On The Hill’ are equally enthralling.

Already working on a second album, on an indie level we’re expecting great things from these guys.

There wasn’t so much riding on this particular show for us. Having seen the band play a couple of times at SXSW and then at The Great Escape just over a week ago, we knew he could deliver the goods but would this be an off day?

In short, no. But this was by far the most nervous we had seen the 19 year old front man. Avi couldn’t contain his excitement between songs, continuously expressing his disbelief and thanking the packed room. Occasionally a bit long but overall it was genuinely refreshing to see a band enjoying themselves so much.

Avi’s voice got richer and more confident as the night went on and inevitable level tweaking took place. One of the album highlights ‘Summer Cum’ got the set of to a roaring start though.  It was followed closely by a new song which perhaps wasn’t the most obvious of choices but was a pleasing country tinged jam nonetheless.

Avi’s warm guitar sounds punctuated by his mini fret board freak-outs once again stole the show for us. Lead single ‘What’s In It For?’ being a prime example along with the wonderful ‘Coaxed’.

We were also treated to an apparently rare performance of ‘Truth Sets In’ which sees bassist Arin Fazio take up acoustic guitar to support Avi’s electric. Avi is joined on vocals  on this, as on the majority of tracks, by keyboard player and ex-crush Rebecca Coleman who is the subject matter of a few of these songs. Luckily it doesn’t seem awkward between the two and Rebecca provides a sweet accompaniment to Avi’s slightly sharper voice.

‘Jessica’, another album favourite, and one of the slower songs really sees Avi’s voice at its tender best. Those gorgeous swooning guitar lines chiming alongside it, irresistible as ever. ‘Remember Last Time’ appropriately ends the set proper as it began, in a frenetic, impassioned ball of energy.

Stunned by the crowds generous calls for an encore Rebecca and Avi take to the stage for a heart warming rendition of one of Avi’s early songs ‘Distaste & Interest’, which we managed to film for you below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIaZv6Cofcc

Then a final full band version of the aptly named ‘One Last’ leaves the crowd with a warm Californian sunshine burning in their bellies.

Come back soon.

Avi Buffalo @ Old Blue Last, May 24th 2010.

White Hinterland @ The Macbeth, Stag & Dagger 2010.

First up was Portland’s White Hinterland which saw the lovely Casey Dienel on vocals, Ukulele and keys and a Tune Yards (ok by us!) t-shirt toting sideman on synths and all manner of strange percussion and effects. While some of the set felt a little rough, Icarus was, as predicted, the jewel in their crown. Casey’s voice is one of the sweetest you will hear.

Javelin @ Camp, Stag & Dagger 2010

Next was Brooklyn electronic duo Javelin‘s time to impress over at Camp on City Rd. We knew we were onto a winner when Pat from Active Child told us we should get upstairs and check them out before his set. We weren’t disappointed as the two threw some Beastie Boys white boy hip-hop energy into what are essentially computer game-ified catchy electronic jams. ‘Oh Radio’ and camp-super-hero vocal effect lead ‘Oh Centra’ were two of the show stealers. Javelin are at Barden’s Boudoir in Dalston, TONIGHT May 25th opening up for Small Black & Tanlines.

Active Child @ Camp Basement, Stag & Dagger 2010.

Active Child next then and we’ve lost track of how many times we’ve seen L.A.’s Pat Grossi (Active Child) on his first European tour, which will tell you how highly we approve. A minimal live set up but a big sound including a harp and some of the finest 80s beats and Baywatch-esque drums you’ll hear all year. And then there’s that voice!

The Radio Dept @ The Legion, Stag & Dagger 2010.

The Radio Dept was our last show of the night, just pipping Brighton’s Mount Kimbie to the post for our late night entertainment choice. While a little more laid back than the Brighton boys, we did not regret our decision. Johan Duncansons’ Swedish four piece proved one of the dreamiest band’s we’ve seen in forever. A tight knit outfit who dress up gorgeous synth pop songs in layers of reverb, making them into soft shoegaze jams. The singles from their 2010 ‘Clinging to A Scheme’ album, namely ‘Heaven’s On Fire’ and ‘David’, proved the most immediate and uplifting tracks. But hats off to the more laid back jams, like ‘A Token Of Gratitude’, that against the odds, were just as enjoyable . The Radio Dept are a fantastically tight band. The only thing we didn’t like was the £20 price tag on their t-shirts!

]]> http://musicmule.co.uk/2010/05/25/review-stag-dagger-2010/feed/ 1 http://musicmule.co.uk/2010/05/21/review-neon-indian-bamp-casement-may-20th/ http://musicmule.co.uk/2010/05/21/review-neon-indian-bamp-casement-may-20th/#comments Fri, 21 May 2010 12:06:27 +0000 nick http://musicmule.co.uk/?p=8555 Neon Indian is super talented pint sized electronic mastermind Alan Palomo from Austin, Texas. By far one of the most creative artists of the past few years he’s been the driving force behind no less than three bands: Ghostustler, Vega and most recently, Neon Indian. Having played some of his earliest Neon Indian gigs in London last year, last night Alan was back to show how he’s come along.

In a new to us Camp Basement venue just off the ominous Old St roundabout in Shoreditch, Neon Indian lined up as four: Alan on keys, Leanne Macomber on more synth, a ridiculously dressed Ronald Geirhart on rock guitar (yeeeah boy!!!) and Jason Faries on drums. The four wrestled with a muddy sound to truly lift the underground venue. Terminally Chill set the tone early on for what was to prove the ultimate party set. Palomo is a a great front man with a great voice, it’s just a shame we couldn’t really hear it for the majority of his set.

Thankfully the sound improved just at the right time as Deadbeat Summer and Ephemeral Artery propelled the evening to the next level, reminding us just how good Neon Indian’s 2009 album Psychic Chasms was. The band took little convincing to re-take the stage for their encore and we couldn’t have asked for more as we’re treated to Vega’s ‘No Reasons’, easily one of our tracks of 2009.

While sad to see the evening draw to a close we’re left contented with the information from the man himself that Vega are laying finishing touches to their debut album. As ever with Alan Palomo’s work, we wait with bated breath.

Neon Indian @ Camp Basement, May 20th 2010.

What we weren’t ready for was just how huge a sound two people and presumably a laptop could create. The Brooklyn girl-boy duo of Alexis and Derek truly tested the ample Macbeth sound-system. Derek laying on the mind bendingly thick guitar riffs and Alexis parading around the stage adding a combination of sweet high vocals and primal yelps.

‘Tell Em’ was a hit, as was the aptly named ‘Infinity Guitars’. ‘Crown On The Ground’ would have been the perfect set closer had it not provoked a rapturous audience to demand an encore of Sleigh Bells poppiest number ‘Ring Ring’ which just about pips it to the post after triggering a stage invasion.

This music will scare your pets but that aside, these two are going to be huge.