Voxtrot @ Metro 10/04/07

What the hell happened to Voxtrot? Last spring, they were THE buzz band coming off a seamless sojourn at SXSW and having released three compelling EPs from 2005 to late 2006. With their infectious anti love pop music and lead singer’s Ramesh Srivastava heartfelt falsetto vocals, the Austin quintet could do no wrong. Then came the release of their self titled debut in May and suddenly the hype came to a screeching halt and the backlash revealed its wrath. The overly influential Pitchfork gave the album a make it or break it 5.9 rating. Sure, their previous EPs, Mothers, Sisters, Daughters and Wives, Raised by Wolves, and Your Biggest Fan were stellar and maybe it would've behooved them to have released a full-length from the get go or pull an Office and reworked some of their EP tracks, but their debut still is solid in may ways.

Download: Voxtrot - "Love Vigilantes" (New Order cover)

The buzz kill continued with their show at Metro. They were in town last month supporting young British juggernauts The Arctic Monkeys, going as far as canceling previous planned dates just so they could tour with the limey bastards. But headlining their own show became a different thing as the Metro wasn’t even close to being sold out. The floor was practically empty. When they played Empty Bottle last November, it was packed. Whereas bands like The National sell out commodious venues like The Vic, Voxtrot should’ve stuck to a smaller venue to garner more people.

The band opened with the dreamy "Introduction" from their latest record. "Open your arms and stretch your hands," Srivastava beseeches. As the track goes on, it gets faster and more melodic. The second song is one of their strongest from the new one, "Kid Gloves." Srivastava boisterously jumps around the stage and the rest of the band follow suite. "Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, and Wives" from the titular EP and probably their best track ever clicks in. The empty house seems to enjoy the show. Too bad more people couldn't be there to witness what Voxtrot have to offer. The band slow it down when Srivastava hits the keys on two ruminating songs "Ghost" and "Soft and Warm." He talks a lot, joking that his band mates aren't very nice but are good musicians. He says playing Chicago is the most fun he's had in months. That is, if he enjoys playing to a sparse room. He invites the crowd to the after party consisting of free beer, pizza, and him DJing. Interest is somewhat piqued. The set ends with the plateauing gem "Missing Pieces," always a potent live track. It's the song that seems to resonate the most during their set. After a brief break, they come back for only one encore, the requested "Start of Something," ironically the song that initially introduced many of their current fans to the group. The band once again pogo around on stage ending the set.

During the after party, Srivastava is approachable and venerable, the kind of guy one could easily befriend and hang out with. It's a shame a couple of days after the show it was reported he was rushed to the hospital for minor surgery. Funny, he didn't seem ill, although he didn't jump around as much as he usually does. So, Voxtrot may not be at the caliber they were a year ago, but so what. It's difficult to maintain the hype and to appease everyone. They deliver a great show drawing equally from their receptive EPs and debut. It can only get better from here.

Comments

[Bill V]

As I remember there were several decent shows to see on Thursday, probably the reason why nobody showed up. I would agree it was probably the wrong venue anyway.

[Julie]

No mention of the encore dance party that resulted after their tour manager invited half the floor up on stage with the band? (much to the chagrin of the Metro security team)
It's stuff like that that has forever cemented this band in my good graces.
As for their diminished hype: Whatever. The blogosphere gets people crazy, even people that normally wouldn't listen to a band. It's like some weird internet mob effect... I don't think we give bands enough credit. These guys have been on tour since what --- May? Pretty much non-stop. And they're not going back to a swanky hotel for the night. They're driving to where ever their next show is, sleeping in a van, eating whatever the venue gives them, and pulling it all together again to give fans what they want - which is a fresh, energetic show EVERY NIGHT. That's a a lot of pressure. Kudos to all of them -especially Ramesh, who after the Voxtrot set at Metro, immediately grabbed his LPs and headed down to Smart Bar to DJ until 2 AM. These guys are workin' hard. It's clear they're in it for the music. And I love them for that.

Also: they fucking rock.

[Sid Much Rock]

I thought Voxtrot was from here. :) I mean they've played at least three shows here in the last 4 months. Has Shellac done that? Anyway that many shows in that short of time + a big unfriendly venue like the Metro + a $15 ticket price + a debut that didn't live up to the hype earned by its EPs + a good night for shows* = small turn out.

* http://upcoming.yahoo.com/search/?type=Events&date=10%2F4%2F2007&q=&rt=1&loc=Chicago%2C+Illinois%2C+United+States&Search=GO

[Garin]

Yes! I forgot about the dance party! That was an insane yet fun way to end the show. And Jose Gonzalez was playing that night to. I chose Voxtrot because I knew they'd be fun and they were.