Band Members:
Josh M. Carter – Vocals,Guitar
Sarah D. Barthel – Vocals Keyboard
With so many music genres and bands dipping their fingertips into electronic and synth sounds, it can be difficult to tell apart the GREAT from the “Great-but-only on cd Great.” Phantogram, comprised of Sarah and Josh from Saratoga Springs, fall into in the first category. Actually they fall more into the FANTASTIC category after the gush worthy show they put on at Vera earlier this month. If you don’t like gushing, you probably won’t want to read the rest of this review.
Having listened to Phantogram’s self-titled EP for a few weeks before the show, my expectations were pretty neutral. Many electro-synth fusion-esque groups sound great on record but fail to meet expectations during live shows and ultimately leave the audience let down–much like a disappointing sexual experience. Phantogram definitely dispelled any precognitions that the show was going to be a watered down, poor sound quality, muffled version of their album.
For an all ages show on a Friday night, it was surprising at how tuned in the mostly younger crowd stayed with Phantogram through almost the entire set. As Phantogram took the stage, it seemed they were going to get the “oh it’s only the opener” stand off from the crowd. Once the first note hit, the floor filled with bodies and everyone stood to attention to watch. Besides the synth and electronic element of the set, both Sarah and Josh’s vocals were strong and audible. Sarah manned the beat making while assuring the crowd that it was okay to dance. Moving about the stage, playing guitar Josh resembled a mellow Dan Auerbach, but maybe it was just the beard. Honestly the only bad thing about this show as the number or ridiculously tall teenage boys that travelled in packs. Trying to see over their 6’2’’ and taller heads was frustrating!
A great bonus to Phantogram’s show was hearing songs off their full album Eyelid Movies which is currently only released overseas. The good news is that shortly after the show at Vera, it was announced that Phantogram signed with Seattle’s very own Barsuk Records. Eyelid Movies will be released here in the states early 2010. Phantogram is currently in Europe. Hopefully we’ll see them next year promoting their album release. Check out a clip from the show as well as an interview with Phantogram
Oh man, Asobi Seksu’s bringing that sweet sonic goodness of theirs to Chop Suey on Sunday night. The idea of seeing that band in such an intimate setting as the Chop Suey is just… exciting. They’re loud, lush, and full of sound the same way that My Bloody Valentine is, only not in the same destructive ear-drum pulverisingly loud way.
Asobi Seksu are touring in support of their upcoming album Rewolf, recorded London’s Olympic Studios, a place with a phenomenal pedigree that includes bands like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and The Who. Make sure to sample the song Thursday by right clicking here.
Following their Chop Suey show, they’ll travel the world through December:
Oct 6 2009 8:00P Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver BC
Oct 9 2009 8:00P 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN
Oct 10 2009 8:00P Bottom Lounge Chicago, IL
Oct 11 2009 8:00P Grog Shop Cleveland, OH
Oct 12 2009 8:00P Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, ON
Oct 13 2009 8:00P Il Motore Montreal, QC
Oct 14 2009 8:00P Great Scott Boston, MA
Oct 15 2009 8:00P Maxwells Hoboken, NJ
Oct 16 2009 8:00P Bowery Ballroom New York, NY
Oct 17 2009 8:00P Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, PA
Oct 28 2009 8:00P Delirio Alternativo Club Bogotá, Colombia
Oct 29 2009 8:00P Teatro Julieta Lima, Peru
Oct 31 2009 8:00P Insomnia Lima, Peru
Nov 18 2009 8:00P Bournemouth Academy Bournemouth, UK
Nov 19 2009 8:00P Brixton Academy London, UK
Nov 20 2009 8:00P Brixton Academy London, UK
Nov 22 2009 8:00P Leeds Academy Leeds, UK
Nov 23 2009 8:00P UEA Norwich, UK
Nov 24 2009 8:00P Sheffield Academy Sheffield, UK
Nov 25 2009 8:00P Rock City Nottingham, UK
Nov 27 2009 8:00P Apollo Manchester, UK
Nov 28 2009 8:00P Glasgow Academy Glasgow, UK
Nov 29 2009 8:00P Newcastle Academy Newcastle, UK
Dec 1 2009 8:00P Guildhall Portsmouth, UK
Dec 2 2009 8:00P Bristol Academy Bristol, UK
Dec 4 2009 8:00P Cardiff University Cardiff, UK
Dec 5 2009 8:00P Birmingham Academy Birmingham, UK
Band Members
David Lutz – Bass, Lead Vox
Jake Weller – Guitar, Trumpet
Darren Johnson – Drums
Brian Trull – Keys
Beau Fredericks – Guitar, Backing vox
Matt Schumacher – Reed organ, Trumpet, Backing vox
Did someone order some tunes from a tugboat? Manos De Plata recently completed their new EP In the Belly of the Sea Devil. Why such a curious name for an EP you ask? It is because in the belly of The Sea Devil was where it was written. I am not talking about a Greek mythological creature; I’m talking about none other then a 140-foot long tugboat. Why record with Matt Bayles in Red Room Recording when you can self-produce on a tugboat? The fruits of their labor came out quite nicely.
At their EP release show, Manos De Plata started off their set with the song “Runner.” The tone of the first guitar was set with a subtle distortion that blended well with the introduced vox. The commingling of these two instruments in their minor scales was a seductive introduction to the set; it was a slow, haunting melody. This first song was a good demonstration of their approach to music — very melodic and progressively building.
Although a gruesome … sixsome, the highlight of the evening was when Manos De Plata brought the guest violinist Andrew Joslyn, to the stage. Andrew’s addition was such a refreshing, poignant surprise. In the song “Curvature,” the violin with its high ironic tones stood atop of music. It pulled the low minors towards it with the strength of a mythical god. The synergy was insurmountable.
The only thing that was a bit spotty were the vocals. As an example, in the aforementioned song “Curvature,” the vocals start off nice and dreamy. The flow of the singing went along perfectly with the song. At the crescendo of the song the vocals got louder and louder. The increased volume worked well with the backing music, but not so much with the singing. The attempt at maximum volume tested the lead singers range – it didn’t sound too pretty. However, the crowd was enveloped in the created moment enough that they weren’t too critical.
All and all, Manos De Plata is a fresh sea breeze in the Seattle music scene. They are currently a well kept secret, but not for long. Be sure to catch to catch a show the next time they are play at a venue near you. Until then, please enjoy a couple videos from their EP release party.
Seattle Show Gal is in hot pursuit of undiscovered talent! How many great bands are out there that are slipping through the cracks? Seattle is saturated with so much music, it would be nearly impossible to sift through it all to find the good stuff. The Seattle Show Gal staff is not so proud to think that we can bring you all of it, but we are actively pursuing all different types of acts to give you a pulse on what is going on--right here in Seattle! (See more in "About")
