Mono in VCF Reverbs My Fest
October 9th, 2008
I made it to Reverbfest this past Saturday and caught up with what I’m now calling Tacoma’s Coolest Rock Band: Mono in VCF. You should think about joining; this calling-things-random-names-group. The quartet burned through a low-velocity set of loungy, psychedelic soul rock that had heads bobbin’, hips swayin’, and hearts poundin’. At least all of mine were. I’d been wanting to see them play for a few months now, and the dark, wood-paneled, attic-style room the Salmon Bay FOE had offered up as an all-ages venue exuded the perfect ambiance for the band’s intimately grandiose tunes.
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It’s difficult not to first notice vocalist Kim Miller, her bright red hair complementing her solitarily black outfit on this night, when listening to MiVCF. She plays the stoic songbird passionately layering the jazz-inspired trip-hop emanating through her bandmates. Just listening to the band’s self-titled debut, one can pick out similarities and influences in her voice from four different decades: Nancy Sinatra (“Death of A Spark”), Debbie Harry (“In Los Angeles”), Madonna (“Cinch Ring”), and Skye Edwards (“The Only One”). I think we can all agree on the talent of those respectable ladies.
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And while she entrances with her lyrics in an impressive vocal range, it’s the other four guys who provide this stellar soundtrack. Hunter Lea had a difficult time getting all his equipment solidified to begin—he plays a well-pedaled guitar and a high-pitched Moog—and even took a ribbing from a couple assholes in the crowd. Once they got going, though, it was clear that Lea had a massive stake in the band’s formula, even playing the keyboard and guitar simultaneously.
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The drums were jazzy and unobtrusive, the bass was steady and chilling, and the (other) keyboards embellished and sprinkled each song with a little drug-induced piano dust. You’ll find the music rapturous, you’ll find it stirring, you’ll find it inspiring and you’ll find it intoxicating. In fact, you might find it in the near future at one of these fine Northwest establishments:
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*Oct 16 2008 8:00P: NEUMO’S – Free show w/ The Saturday Knights, The Cops
*Oct 18 2008 9:00P – BOB’S JAVA JIVE (Tacoma)
*Nov 22 2008 9:00P – THE WILD BUFFALO HOUSE OF MUSIC (Bellingham)
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DO IT.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Caitlin Enwright said:
I saw them at the Reverb Fest as well, I had never seen them before. I thought they were very moving. I have been listening to their album ever since. They played a new song at the show, which wasn’t on their debut. I forget the title of the song, but it has the word “Ghost” in it. I’m going to their free show at Neumo’s, you must RSVP to ensure a spot at that show though, to do that you visit the neumo’s site and send them an e-mail.
October 10th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
LB said:
Thanks for the info, Caitlin, I’m pretty sure I had no idea they played a song not on their record. It was a really good show! I’ve got my RSVP for the Neumos show already 8)
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
caitlin enwright said:
the song was called “Gift Horse” and is to be on their next release.