Seattle Subsonic - October, 2010
Rococo And The Information Age
Pitchfork has a great, albeit brief, interview with the Butler Bros. of Arcade Fire. If you’re a fan, and how could you not be, it’s worth a moment of your fleeting internet time. The interviewer queries them on how they fit into the overall Major v. Indie label spectrum, and about the underlying ideas in a few of their songs, regarding youth and nostalgia (two central themes in all of the band’s music). What caught my eye was a quote Win gives on the slow, swirling burn of “Rococo”:
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“I probably heard about the Rococo period through Régine, who was really into medieval art when she was younger. Not like Renaissance fairs, more like learning ancient languages. And while there are so many beautiful Baroque churches and it’s a beautiful artistic tradition, it almost gets hideous and grotesque if if you push it further. You can take something beautiful and overdo it. I had a similar feeling about the current information age, where you have all this information that you don’t need or want but the medium is there so it’s filled up. I was trying to think about this very modern idea using the same language. “
This struck me for two reasons: One, “Rococo” is, in my opinion, one of the weirder, more challenging songs on The Suburbs. I didn’t really like it at first. It’s kind of an acquired taste, though, given how bizarre the first 60 seconds are, before opening up to reveal a rather solid orchestral ballad with some scuzzy guitar underscoring. And two, the connection he made between the style’s opulence and the intimidating overabundance of information we have nowadays. I guess I too struggle with that sometimes, the “rat race”, if you will, and the plethora of it all (specifically, with music); and in my struggling with the song, that connection is certainly not lost on me. No, it’s quite close to home, where I can find it. Knowing that’s what he had in mind—I love reading about an artist’s explanation of a song’s inception—just makes it that much more personal and affecting to me. Win Butler is one of the most interesting musicians there is today.
Dungen at Neumos
I roll into Neumos at about the beginning of The Entrance Band’s set. I hadn’t had the opportunity to check this band out prior to the show so you can imagine my surprise when I realized they were pretty stellar. The Entrance Band’s sound was really all over the place. I mean that in the best way possible; there was a minute that I made a Mars Volta reference and the next minute I was thinking of Dick Dale. It was stellar. After actually being able to catch this band in action I knew I had to get some background info. So here is what I uncovered with my super sleuth skills. A wikipedia induced low-down: the band is comprised of Guy Blakeslee, whom was the original solo member going under the moniker The Entrance. Joining him was Derek James- whom I didnt get any lowdown on- and Paz Lenchantin, who has contributed to many albums by many different artists. I particularly appreciated her work on Acid Tongue in 2008 with Jenny Lewis. A few highlights of their set: the songs- well obviously- they were long, they were in depth, they had range. Every song was an elaborate composition that went in and out of so many different sounds. This coupled with the light show was my first introduction to a “psychedelic rock” performance, and I must say it kinda blew my mind.
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So the main event was up next, and Dungen did not disappoint. I gotta say, at first listen I would compare Dungen’s latest album, Skit I allt, to elevator music on steroids. Then seeing them live, it was like elevator music on acid. This, by the way, is supposed to be a compliment. An example: on the second song (I think) Gustav Ejstes busts out a flute! A GD flute man- and it was perfection, Ejstes would jump between the flute and the tambourine then bouncing back behind the keys. This guy was all over the stage wielding one instrument after another. Its a cheesy reference, but Ejstes was like a Swedish Kurt Cobain up there in his flannel with his long blonde hair all passionate. He was quite a show. I really dug the ambient sound that the band had, it had just the perfect hint of psychedelic so I could understand why this band identifies with the genre. But I kind of felt like they expanded beyond all borders. If I had not looked up anything on this band prior to catching them live I would not be able to classify them in any specific genre at all. Dungen is just good.
It was a great show all around. A small but chill crowd and a good sound.
Oh and that photo is from wikipedia, I can’t take cred for that.
Dungen at Neumos
| Sunday, October 3, 2010 | ||
| 8:00 pm | ||
| 8:00 pm |
There are three things that I really like, among others. 1. Psychedelic rock. Its got that twang situation, I cant help it. 2. The Swedish. I have never met an unattractive Swede. Not one. 3. Combinations.
So when you combine some Swedish gents with Psychedelic rock you have won my heart. Dungen will be at Neumos on Sunday, Oct 3. And it is a combination situation that I am thrilled to check out.
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What: Dungen
Where: Neumos
When: Sunday, October 3 @ 8
How: $12 adv, 21+
Kelli Schaefer and Kaylee Cole @ Columbia City Theater
| Saturday, October 2, 2010 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
Its like the people over at Columbia City Theater are booking shows just for me, I mean really two amazing singer/song writers on one bill. Damn guys, Thank you. This will be an amazing night of sing alongs and people actually listening. Really looking forward to this show.
Get Your tickets HERE
Klaxons at Chop Suey
| Tuesday, October 5, 2010 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
The British gents that form the Klaxons are coming through Seattle in October. They will be playing with Baby Monster at Chop Suey.
This is exciting, as their new album, Surfing the Void, came out about mid-August and is being released digitally on September 21. Holla atcha i-tunes. Let me tell you about my anticipation for hearing this album, when talking of their influences for this latest album Simon Taylor suggests that they are drawing from many different genres, including dub-step, dance, and folk-music. I mean, c’mon, if that doesn’t spark your interest I don’t know what will.
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What: Klaxons w/ Baby Monster
Where: Chop Suey
How: $15 adv, all ages
When: Tuesday, Oct. 5, doors @ 8
