The story of how I "discovered" this two piece from NYC was through a friend who, in every sense of the word, has devoted his life to music. So when I asked him what he was listening to blaring in the background his response was an intense mixture of pure exhilaration and panic.
He told me he had a single track, but could not find anything else by this mystery band ... although there was a bartender who apparently held to coveted copy of the album. I boldly ventured into Swig (the bar) and snatched up what could be perhaps the most precious kept secret this city - nay, this country - has to know.
WOOM, formerly members Fertal Crescent, are led by Sara on vocals and percussion and Evan on guitar. They have toured with such bands as Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof ... and recently released their album and Badabing records in July of 2010.
THIS YOU MUST HEAR!- But before you do, you should know a bit about the lovely and darling Sara, who I spoke to on a mid-winter dreary afternoon.
Sara is a percussionist and vocalist.
Evan plays guitar.
Sara resides in New York City, where I spoke with her via the telephone. She has a cathartic voice, lovely and inviting.
Safe word?
Sara: Bologna.
So how did Woom come about?
Sara: Before Woom, I was in a band, Fertile Crescent. And after meeting and playing with Evan, we became Woom.
This is a signature question I like to ask all of my interviewees. What is your favorite kind of cheese?
Sara: I really enjoy those small, perfectly wrapped processed cheeses enveloped in wax. (Babybel) Their texture is really fascinating and the entire process of peeling and eating the delicious cheese is an experience like no other. There is something about the tactile nature, it is like a fetish object ... it's sexy.
Robots Vs. Dinosaurs?
Sara: Lately, I've been a brontosaurus with my four-year-old friend. So we have been eating leaves from trees and stretching our necks out, it has been a lot of fun. So I am going with dinosaurs.
Strangest Venue you've ever played?
Sara: We dont have a booking agent, so many of our shows have been pretty strange. One of the upsides is getting to play some interesting shows, one example is a show we played in Oakland, CA. We cave made out of paper; at the end of the night we all tore down the house and had a dance party with the paper structure crumbling all around. No one got hurt despite all the potential for paper cuts.
If you had to carry 50 pounds of one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?
I would probably carry cotton candy. Light yet delicious.
Any records from childhood that inspired you?
My parents were school teachers, so our music collection was sort of small. But I would have to say Kraftwerk, Computer Love.
If you were to write a book, what would it be called and what would it be about?
Sara: Well, I wrote a book of short stories when I was in school called "Stories to Read In-Transit." But I do enjoy to write.
You have toured with several bands, namely Pit Er Pat, Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof. How was that?
Sara: It is great to play with friends, because you really learn a lot from them, and the experiences that you have differ and add a certain flavor unique from the others. We played with Pit Er Pat in Chicago, and recorded at their house in Los Angeles.
When you go on tour, what is one thing you don't leave home with out?
Sara: Well this is not one thing I leave with, but I always get a bag of spinach while on the road. Since it is so difficult to eat healthy, it really comes in handy.
What is the worst advice you've ever been given?
Can I tell you good advice? I am paraphrasing my friend Gregg from Deerhoof. He said basically, "As an artist, you should really just show up and it would dissolve all that initial shame you may feel." So his advice has given me a lot of courage as an artist to just go with that initial creative impulse.
Musicianship does not require sunglasses, Jonas Brothers’ good looks or sexy dance moves, although it doesn’t hurt to have such blessings...
The challenge in keeping up with a band of men, and a lady (who is not on bass), is to keep their undivided attention. Because, well, let’s face it bright lights and loud clashes doesn’t faze a rocking crew... and it always helps to know that the band whose music makes you swoon is simply a few kind, genuine and interesting friends just doing what they love. Republic Of Lights is Alan, front man with the smoldering eyes of a young teeny-bop’s sex dream... who can- if you convince him to take off the shades- sit down and have a dignified conversation and rock out on guitar and belt out some ballads. There is Brian, the soft, persuasively sarcastic guitarist and hilarious pup that can really shred it up on stage... Greg, the keyboardist with fabulous fashion sense and a sweet smile and Rosie math-minded music babe with sweltering guitar chops to spare
An Exclusive Interview with the Multi-talented, well-versed 7 piece band from Nashville, TN.
Sitting in the basement of Schuba's eating Chipotle and chatting it up with the seven members of The Kopecky Family Band.
Their safe word:
BANANA
Robots or Dinosaurs
(Discussing amongst each other...)
'Are they fighting each other?
You could program a robot to be a dinosaur...'
What is the strangest venue you have ever played?
Kelsey: Oh, definitely a wedding, where we played Butterfly Kisses. (Gabe follows with a lovely sample...)
How did you all begin? Influences:
Gabe: Kelsey and I started the band. We played our first show at a school sponsored clothing store.
Kelsey: Gabe and I met through mutual friends in college, I invited a group of people over for game night; I heard Gabe play the guitar and I was like, I want to play music with this guy. We started writing together on Halloween, and finished our first EP in a week.
Gabe: Influences: Cake, Menomena, Pedro the Lion, James Taylor, Radiohead...
Corey: When I was in middle school I was into hard core music. Now I am more into Modest Mouse, anything with mice in the name.
Ben: Anathallo
Most memorable concert you have ever attended?
Gabe: Radiohead, Steve and I share a birthday, and we went to see them live.
Steve: Yeah, that had to be one of the best shows I have seen.
Some tour Guide Essentials:
Gabe: Well we had our trailer stolen, so we can't bring a whole lot, so now it is basically two buckets and two benches, so it is all ass to ankles right now.
Worst advice you have ever been given?
Markus: We were told to get rid of three or four of our members, because we would never make it with seven.
If you could say only one word, what would it be?
(Collectively at first there were many beeps, boops and finally they decided upon a clever form of communication. SOS.)
All: Morse Code...
Can you dance? Any hidden talents:
Gabe: (motioning to Corey) Can this guy dance!? I spun him on gravel, he is a trooper though, for being so delicate, we call him Baby spoon and Bread crumb, two of the many nicknames Corey has acquired.
Corey: I like Bread Crumb the best I think.
Gabe: Hidden talents? I can pack the van really well. And Marcus can smoke A LOT of cigarettes.
(Marcus sort of shrugs, I ask him what kind he smokes, Marlboro Menthol Mediums)
What can we expect from you guys in the future?
A lot more music, We have a split seven inch coming out February fourth, and we are doing SXSW. We'll be around as long as we are playing music and being friends.
Have a listen and FALL IN LOVE with their melodies.
I’m sure that everyone has realized by now that I have very strong feelings of affection toward Chicago’s Drmanhattan. So when I was told that the band was breaking up this past October, my heart broke a little bit. However, then I heard that they were going to be playing one final show in Chicago, I pretty much immediately knew that I had to be there.
Drmanhattan’s final show at Chicago’s Beat Kitchen on December 23rd was probably the best I have ever seen them perform. The guys opened the show with the first track off they’re album Jam Dreams, “Electraumatized”. The entire crowd immediately went insane. Throughout the entire show there was not one person standing still and that’s exactly how a Drmanhattan show should be, in my opinion.
As the show continued, the guys played songs from both of their full length albums, and even some songs that were not on either album. Regardless of what they played, the crowd got crazy. My night was made when they started playing songs from their self titled first album. I had been waiting all night to hear my favorite song, “Gunpowder: A Ballet”, and when I finally heard it live for the first time in almost three years, my mind was blown. It sounded just as amazing live as it does on the album and I was beyond thrilled to have heard it this one last time.
On Saturday December 11th, my partner in crime/photographer, Hailey Williams, and I braved the frozen tundra specifically to see D.R.U.G.S on their first tour. Let me just tell you, that it was completely worth it. And to be perfectly honest, the tundra wasn’t really that frozen, it was just supposed to be. All hellish snow conditions aside, D.R.U.G.S brought everything they had to the Clearwater Theater that night and rocked it out in a way that only a band with a true passion for music could.
After waiting through two mediocre opening bands, the crowd waited in anticipation for D.R.U.G.S to take the stage. After taking their sweet time to set up, the house lights finally dimmed. Through the midst of the flashing light show the band had set up on stage, members of D.R.U.G.S began to take their positions on stage one by one. Although the roar of screaming fans rose with each member who made his appearance on stage, the crowd went completely insane when lead singer, Craig Owens, finally showed his face.
The set began immediately with a song that I honestly never thought I was going to be able to hear live. I’m not positive what D.R.U.G.S is calling it, but when it was leaked as an unreleased Chiodos song, it was entitled “Thermacare”. I was literally just telling a friend of mine maybe two weeks ago about how bad it sucks that I would never be able to hear this song live. Proven wrong! The band honestly could not have chosen a better opener for the set. The song was performed amazingly well, as I expected, and proved to be an extremely pleasant surprise.
First, check that diaphoretic haze creeping over the windows behind Andrew Jackson Jihad singer/songwriter Sean Bonnette in the photo at right. No, that's not a misty fall night in Chicago — the stars hung clear as diamonds outside, and that's condensation fueled by pure body heat, folks. Which is to say that this AJJ acoustic performance at Chicago's new one-stop shop for metalheads and sci-fi geeks, Bucket O' Blood, turned out to resemble an in-store performance less than a sweaty house show, replete with a plastic tub full of PBR in the back.
Although I'd never listened to Andrew Jackson Jihad before last Wednesday, RFC editor-in-chief Amber strong-armed talked me into showing up to check this one out. I have to admit, I got into Sean Bonnette's nervy, Ted Leo-meets-Elvis Costello punk yelp, and the show turned out to be a blast, even if the ambiance veered a bit toward emo-bro at a couple of points (I described the show via text to Amber as "dudes grabbing each others [sic] rattails while shouting verbose lyrics about the sympathetic nervous system").
Matt Arbogast of The Gunshy opened up the show with a few gravelly blue-collar anthems and a great self-directed throwaway line about how "this fucker sounds just like Tom Waits," the latter of which got some raucous, knowing laughter from the kids packed into the tiny storefront. Still, the night belonged to Sean Bonnette, as evidenced by the blast of shouting voices that joined him every time he smashed out a staccato note on his guitar and sang a linchpin line semi-a cappella.
Me, I stayed busy fishing unattended Pabst Blue Ribbons out of Ye Old Plastic Tub and stuffing them into my messenger bag (this being the Wednesday before payday and all), but rest assured that I plan to dive into the entire Andrew Jackson Jihad discography as soon as I stop slaving my ears over My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. As I learned at Wednesday's show, AJJ sport a rather awesomely sardonic take on punk culture, slackerdom and the feeling of growing up as an outsider — not to mention a way with a record store full of drunk underage punks.
We at RFC are pretty sweet on Dawes. Last night I finally got to see why. We all love a solid rock band of course, and as expected Dawes delivered a set of passionate, relatable rock songs laced with west coast vibe and confidence. What impressed me most though was their showmanship. We've talked a lot about how we love Dawes for their music and for being generally awesome dudes, but sometimes all bets are off once you see the live show. Dawes is a band of performers, a group of artists who give the impression that they're not having a good time unless every single one of us is too. Their energy was captivating and they made good work of their first sold-out show of the tour. Here's hoping for many more. Full photo set from last night here.
Editor's Note: Wondering what to expect from the Goldmiths on their sophomore release? It might not be due until next year but occasional RFC guest blogger Mike Roeder handicapped the quartet's next disc on his blog, Play B-Sides.
Ryuichi Sakamoto is an experimental classicist, a classical soundtrack composer with experimental and minimalist background; or, maybe, an experimental composer with a sentimental heart. Either way, that gives an idea of the disparate effect of the two albums on his fall release, and of the difficulty such a composer might have in marrying these two styles in concert.
In general, Sakamoto carried it off at his Tuesday, Oct. 26 appearance at the Vic. He began the evening with the most aggressively experimental composition of the first half of his new release, out of noise, featuring melting glaciers, faux grasshoppers, and what sounded like whales keening, ships lurching. Hunching over the piano and playing the strings directly, he made barely a movement in the darkness, and we in the audience held our breath, marking the abnormal stillness in a usually raucous room. The music/noise was beautiful and delicate, but so restrained that it was easy to lose focus after awhile.
As if understanding this, Sakamoto gave just a sampling of his newer work before launching into the more traditional compositions of the second album, playing the piano. He revisited several “hits” from his soundtrack work over the years, including The Sheltering Sky, The Last Emperor, and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence.
Let's get a few things straight. I was terrified, sustained a kidney injury, and I think I cracked a rib. Those things aside, this was a good show. Forgive the fact that fans were left outside 15 minutes past the listed doors time in a line that reached back around the venue to Addison, or that the show started half an hour late, or that Sleigh Bells set was short. You paid to see Sleigh Bells, you got Sleigh Bells. There isn't much to say about the tornado that was their performance, mostly because I was focusing on survival as opposed to music. So you'll simply have photos to enjoy today, and dammit you'll like them. I'm gonna go ice my spine now.
If you've slept on the past two days of Katie Hovland's amazing photo editorial of 2010's Riot Fest, you've been missing out. Lucky for you, before diving into day three below, you can play catch up!
Florida's new favorite sons Surfer Blood teamed up with Brooklyn rookies The Drums to transform Lincoln Hall into the Church of the Holy Grail Reverb Pedal this past Thursday, and RFC made it to the later show to snap some pictures (check the full gallery after the jump) and take in the cavernous guitar tones ringing through the facsimile flying buttresses. Surfer Blood headlined the earlier all-ages iteration of the show at 7 p.m., but The Drums took top billing for the 10 p.m. show, so we'll grant them proper play as the headliner here.
First, though, let's talk Surfer Blood. As I noted when I wrote up a preview for this show earlier in the week, the boys from West Palm Beach have just about locked up my nomination for 2010's best new indie band. However, I'm also gonna be the first to admit that they didn't get there by way of their live show.
I have always enjoyed it when two bands tour together that are not an obvious listening match. The best thing about indie is that it is such a huge tent where all any artists have in common is a singular motive to do something different. The Walkmen, proud proprietors of popularity from a radio single a few years back and a critically praised album this year in Lisbon, are a band who trick you with their deceivingly lazy riffs and low-key delivery. Eventually the heady listener is slowly smothered by the weighty, swooning style and the reaching cries of lead singer Hamilton Leithauser. Japandroids cash their checks by simply hitting you in the face with a sledgehammer while wearing a big goofy grin. From last year's breakthrough album Post-Nothing to their consistently awesome 7 inch series this year, they are a duo that sinks themselves into their wistful lyrics about better days and longer nights as they precisely follow the Holy Trinity of Rock: drums, guitar, volume. When two bands like The Walkmen and Japandroids find enough commonality and mutual admiration to travel together and share the stage, it warms my heart and gives me renewed faith in music.
As Brian King from the Japandroids strides out on stage in his skinny jeans and faded Sisters Of Mercy tee, he does it with no airs or audience acknowledgement. If you did not know who he was, you may mistake him for a roadie. Yet, he straps on his guitar and proceeds to fill the room with waves of his go-to fuzzy power chord for a few minutes. Eyes shut, he is lost in his own little world waiting for his buddy, drummer David Prowse to give him the nod. Then he suddenly comes out of his self induced trance and says, in the kindest possible way, "Hi!". And off we go. The duo wails, jumps, pounds, head bobs and, above all, smiles through the 45 minute set, connecting with each audience member's inner rock star. The enthusiasm is palpable in the performers, showcasing moves and struts rarely seen outside an Air Guitar competition. Their music is not about hitting that perfect note, but the pure joy of screaming out your lyrics even if you are a little off key. Japandroids hit the loftiest heights on their newest tracks "Art Czars" and "Younger Us" where the old school punk influence runs thick through the riffs and thumps. Post-Nothing track "Heart Sweats" is also impressive as the live clarity rings in the guitar crunch as the double time beats are felt in your chest. Finishing off with "Young Hearts Spark Fire" is cause for their spent chorus to be assisted by the grateful audience. Although the crowd was in attendance for the headliners, Japandroids surely won supporters that night based on their enthusiasm.
The contrast of The Walkmen is apparent as the band strides out on stage in collared shirts and suit coats ready for the evening's work. The cool detachment of the band is in fact quite refreshing for such a boyishly handsome outfit. There was no spotlighted guitar solos, no hackneyed "How is everyone doin' tonight's, no leering frontman "connecting" with the audience. Rather, The Walkmen are all business on stage, focused on their individual assignments so the audience can catch every moving subtlety and slow build in each new song. The evening's set list is deliberate as well, swelling from the extended organ pulse from the opener "Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me is Gone", to the insistent twang in "Blue As Your Blood" to the latest single "Angela Surf City" where Leithauser impresses with his emotional delivery as he cradles the mike stand as if that was the Angela in question. His winning impression continues as the burning intensity of "On The Water" where he hits his notes and actually employs the whistle in the song's coda with a perfectly eerie pitch. What I found particularly surprising was the consistent audience attention throughout the show, particularly in the slow numbers. Where this might be a point to get a fresh beer or catch a quick conversation with your friends, the audience, specifically the female members, continued to stare and sway, fixed on the modest balladeers on stage. The best example is the deceptive lulling prelude on "Victory" that swells with the stunning note that is held by Leithauser, prompting instant gasps and spontaneous cheers from an adoring crowd. The pre-encore finale "In The New Year" and breakthrough single "The Rat" bestowed two crescendos for the evening, with the latter providing the most connected moments between crowd and frontman. Hamilton Leithauser drops his troubadour persona for a moment, looks out at his fans as allows them to take over the chorus: "When I used to go out, I would know everyone that I saw. Now I go out alone, if I go out at all." The furrowed lyrics made a fitting ending to this tale of two bands. On the surface, are as different as a shot and a beer and a gin martini. However, The Walkmen and Japandroids are outfits who wear their emotions as badges of honor and the deliver their heartfelt messages in contrasting, yet equally powerful, ways.
One cannot live on headliners alone. RFC's having a "moment" for Miniature Tigers, who opened for The Walkmen at The Metro on Thursday, like champions. I'm sure its easy to phone in a performance for the eager half-crowd that arrives two hours early to see the main attraction. Especially when you know Japandroids are about to blow the roof off (and the eardrums out of) the place anyway. Leave it to Miniature Tigers to roll up like they own the joint, and give the crowd a lesson in indie rock refinement.The band covers a lot of ground, taking on pop balad tenderness one minute and tackling dude rock the next. What impressed me most about the band is how practiced and right-on they sound. I'm not into buzz bands hitting the ground running before they've tied their shoelaces but Miniature Tigers are living up to their praise because they've taken the time to earn it.
They'll use synths and intricacies in their music, but they're not hiding behind them. Instead, they're using them, seamlessly, to their advantage. I'm never one to ignore the female perspective, and its pretty commonplace for a girl to watch in wonder and imagine each song was written and perfomed just for her. Not hard to do here, actually, with the level of sincerety and commitment the band displays. Miniature Tigers gave a personal, enjoyable performace, and I'm guessing that they're busy pulling that off every night.
Editor's note: Unfortunately, Miniature Tigers are only with indie rock dreamboats The Walkmen for three dates meaning, if my mathematics are correct, their tenure with Hamilton and the crew is ending tonight. While the band is booked until the end of the year with Freelance Whales, it's just about certain they'll be back Midwest way around the start of 2011 but to tide you over? How about you take a listen to their second Daytrotter session? We recommend "Bullfighter Jacket". Hey, speaking of which, there's a video for that song!
Hey, Radio Free Chicago! It's time to welcome another new recruit to our increasingly attractive team of writers and photogs,Katie Hovland! Katie is as esteemed and renowned around these parts as she is wonderful. Need some proof? Well, let's take a look at her pics from last week's Riot Festand see for yourself.
An Interview With Sara From WOOM
He told me he had a single track, but could not find anything else by this mystery band ... although there was a bartender who apparently held to coveted copy of the album. I boldly ventured into Swig (the bar) and snatched up what could be perhaps the most precious kept secret this city - nay, this country - has to know.
WOOM, formerly members Fertal Crescent, are led by Sara on vocals and percussion and Evan on guitar. They have toured with such bands as Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof ... and recently released their album and Badabing records in July of 2010.
THIS YOU MUST HEAR!- But before you do, you should know a bit about the lovely and darling Sara, who I spoke to on a mid-winter dreary afternoon.
Sara is a percussionist and vocalist.
Evan plays guitar.
Sara resides in New York City, where I spoke with her via the telephone. She has a cathartic voice, lovely and inviting.
Safe word?
Sara: Bologna.
So how did Woom come about?
Sara: Before Woom, I was in a band, Fertile Crescent. And after meeting and playing with Evan, we became Woom.
This is a signature question I like to ask all of my interviewees. What is your favorite kind of cheese?
Sara: I really enjoy those small, perfectly wrapped processed cheeses enveloped in wax. (Babybel) Their texture is really fascinating and the entire process of peeling and eating the delicious cheese is an experience like no other. There is something about the tactile nature, it is like a fetish object ... it's sexy.
Robots Vs. Dinosaurs?
Sara: Lately, I've been a brontosaurus with my four-year-old friend. So we have been eating leaves from trees and stretching our necks out, it has been a lot of fun. So I am going with dinosaurs.
Strangest Venue you've ever played?
Sara: We dont have a booking agent, so many of our shows have been pretty strange. One of the upsides is getting to play some interesting shows, one example is a show we played in Oakland, CA. We cave made out of paper; at the end of the night we all tore down the house and had a dance party with the paper structure crumbling all around. No one got hurt despite all the potential for paper cuts.
I would probably carry cotton candy. Light yet delicious.
Any records from childhood that inspired you?
My parents were school teachers, so our music collection was sort of small. But I would have to say Kraftwerk, Computer Love.
If you were to write a book, what would it be called and what would it be about?
Sara: Well, I wrote a book of short stories when I was in school called "Stories to Read In-Transit." But I do enjoy to write.
You have toured with several bands, namely Pit Er Pat, Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof. How was that?
Sara: It is great to play with friends, because you really learn a lot from them, and the experiences that you have differ and add a certain flavor unique from the others. We played with Pit Er Pat in Chicago, and recorded at their house in Los Angeles.
When you go on tour, what is one thing you don't leave home with out?
Sara: Well this is not one thing I leave with, but I always get a bag of spinach while on the road. Since it is so difficult to eat healthy, it really comes in handy.
What is the worst advice you've ever been given?
Can I tell you good advice? I am paraphrasing my friend Gregg from Deerhoof. He said basically, "As an artist, you should really just show up and it would dissolve all that initial shame you may feel." So his advice has given me a lot of courage as an artist to just go with that initial creative impulse.
WOOM: Click to download
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