Pygmalion: Saturday

Zach May and the Maps (Exile on Main St., 2:30 pm)
I'd been waiting to see these guys for a long time, and I wasn't disappointed. Zach May and the Maps have a sound somewhere between Neutral Milk Hotel and the Legend of Zelda soundtrack. Zach is hilariously awkward, the percussion consists of a wooden box, and the band played off hand-written sheet music, but somehow it all came together and worked. Definitely worth the trip to Exile.

New Ruins (Parasol Records, 3:40 pm)
Man, I forgot how good this band is. Originally billed as Caleb and Elzie acoustic, this morphed into a full-band affair by showtime (and yes, Paul is back!). Personal favorite had to be "Lake". As a sidenote, the Parasol store is absolutely awesome.


The Horse's Ha (Parasol Records, 4:40pm)
I was expecting something a lot closer to the grungy and feedback laced sound of Eleventh Dream Day, but instead The Horse's Ha played a breezy, almost jammy set (some songs stretched past seven minutes!), with a little bit of alt-country and bluegrass thrown in for good measure. While the crowd had steadily dwindled up to the point when they went on, those who stayed were thoroughly rewarded.

The Books (Krannert Center, 7:30 pm)
I don't have too much to write about this underwhelming show. Basically, while the visual gimmicks are really cool at first, they get old after about three songs. I had more fun listening to the middle-aged Krannert denizens next to me arguing about "all these twenty year olds with the women's jeans" than listening to the actual music.

Iron and Wine (Krannert Center, 8:45 pm)
Sam Beam is one funny motherfucker. Who'd have though? Opening with "Such Great Heights" was a nice surprise, and definitely cut through the sometimes impersonal atmosphere that can arise from Krannert shows. The rest of the set was mostly filled with old favorites ("Naked as We Came", "Sodom, South Georgia", "Upward Over the Mountain") along with a few new songs. The encore of "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" was another major highlight. Overall, the acoustics couldn't have been better, and Beam turned in an intimate performance that perfectly cut through the psychological muck of the Krannert Center.

YACHT (Canopy, 10:45 pm)
YACHT's gimmicky stage antics included inviting the crowd to mail them packages or stop by their apartment should they happen to be in Portland, while they half-rapper, half-shouted over their canned electro beats. That said, the show was still a blast, and "I'm in Love with a Ripper" is still a fucking great song. I'm sure they won't be any fun in a few years (see: Girl Talk, Flaming Lips), but it was great being on the bandwagon while it lasted.


Gazelle (Cowboy Monkey, 12 am)
These guys are somewhat of a supergroup, featuring three members of Absinthe Blind, two of Headlights, two of Honcho Overload, and one of Hum (yes, I realize that adds up to eight). While I was somewhat disappointed with the short, six song set (Seth and Brett from Absinthe Blind were both in the building, along with Matt Talbott), but the music was good enough that I didn't feel cheated. Gazelle's sprawling studio material sounded tighter and closer to Absinthe Blind in a live setting. "Lineal" was the definite highlight of the show.

RJD2 (Canopy Club, 12:45 am)
He was using four turntables ZOMFG. Plus a small army of drum machines, synths, and sequencers. RJD2's set leaned more towards Hip Hop than the DJ Shadowisms of his album, which was definitely feeding into the crowd's reaction. When he dropped "The Horror" the roof just about blew off of Canopy. For me, however, this was a chance to chill in the balcony and rest my feet for...

The Hood Internet (Cloud Factory, 3:15am)
This was the sweaty, hipster, PBR fueled dance party I'd been searching for all weekend (ten points to whoever booked them into someone's living room!!). They started by segueing out of the DJ playing before them (someone from Physical Challenge, I think??) into a mashup of M.I.A.'s "20$" and New Order's "Blue Monday", then hitting some old chestnuts ("Drop the Icebox Pressure", "Pro Nails Forever", "I Got Your Smoke"). Unfortunately, the combination of Highlife, Skoal, and dancing started to get to me around this point, and I decided to stumble home. Fucking AWESOME end to an amazing weekend. Can't wait for next year.

Pet Lions - 9/18/09 Red Herring

I didn’t have anything going on Friday, so I figured I would check out a show at the Pygmalion Festival. Ben told me that the show at Red Herring would be pretty excellent and fairly inexpensive, so that sold me (I’m super easy apparently). I saw the name Pet Lions on the line up and listened to their Myspace leading up to the show. I got there, paid my entry, hung out. Oceans played a high energy set, and then Pet Lions came out.

The band of Chicagoans was all set up and ready to play and they asked for all of the people sitting to move up. Everyone was super hesitant but once they belted out the first couple notes, a few people of the crowd came up and that turned into a handful. Their fun indie-pop tunes couldn’t keep those who moved up standing still. Songs such as Roman History and Girls of Athens especially grabbed my interest and drove me to dance. They were funny and seasoned the time in between songs by telling stories of how they had van trouble or how the lead singer/guitarist has the flu. They ended on a high note playing the song extra energetically, including the keyboardist/guitarist stepping on a near by piano while shredding. That ended the set with a big goofy smile pasted on my face. Overall, I feel like this was a super set from this eccentric group. If they ever make there way down to the C-U area again, I hope you will check out this fun-filled band.

This ended up being the only Pygmalion show that I went to due to the fact Now, Now Every Children had to drop due to illness, but if I had to choose one show to go to over again, this would be it. I picked up their ep after the set (which is just as fantastic as their set), and you too can pick up their ep for free if you join their mailing list at: http://www.petlions.com/mail/user/subscribe.php.

Pygmalion: Friday

Ryan Groff (Blues BBQ, 12pm)
First off, props to Girls Next Door for closing with Mandy Moore's "Candy" as I was walking in the door. That was fun. Onto the Ryan Groff set, his songs seem to the growing codas at an alarming rate (seriously, the acapella ending of "Chemicals" was as long as the whole song). That said, he still turned in a fantastic performance, and yes, he did play that AMAZING "Nude" cover.

You & Yourn and Hathaways (Channing-Murray, 6:30pm/7:15pm)
I'm combining these because I only saw fragments of both of them. I will say that I enjoyed what I saw, and I liked Casados far more than when they opened for David Bazan last December. Anyone know what the instrument Heather from You & Yourn plays is called?

Good Night & Good Morning (Channing-Murray, 8pm)
This was something really, really special. Channing-Murray was made for this kind of music, and GNAGM did not dissapoint. The segment where they were playing bowed vibraphone was especially amazing, as the whole room seemed to fill up with the sound. Most of the crowd laid down on the floor (!!) and several even seemed rendered immobile after GNAGM went off stage (although, I guess they might have been asleep). Outstanding set and a major highlight of the night.

Low (Channing-Murray, 9pm)
I need to preface this review with three points: I'd never listened to Low prior to this performance, I was sick, and I'd gotten about three hours of sleep the previous night (damn house parties). Low still managed to cut through my personal funk and really wow me. Particular highlights were the opening "Shots & Ladders", a cover of The Smith's classic "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me", and the main set closer, "When I Go Deaf". The acoustics in Channing-Murray couldn't have been better made for Low's extreme dynamic contrast, leaving me continually marveling at how good the room sounded relative to most other venues in town (not that they're bad per se, they just aren't Channing-Murray).

Oceans (Red Herring, 10:30pm)
Unfortunately, due to some weirdness at the door (what was going on with this? Seth had to come over and sort it out) and extra time spent setting up, I had to skip out on the last song of Oceans' set. What I did see, however, was awesome. Oceans have easily the best fanbase in Champaign-Urbana, mostly due to their extremely intense live shows. They did not disappoint. I'm sad to report that this was their last show in the area, though (bassist is already gone, another member is leaving soon). They ripped through three tracks from the excellent Nothing Collapses (which you should really get), the first of which I unfortunately can't place the name of, followed by "Lit Up Under Streetlights" and "Boy Detective". As I was walking out the door, they started to go into what I assume was the massive album closer "Your Plane Leaves Tomorrow". Gonna miss these guys....

The Antlers (Canopy, 11:10pm)
I'm not really sure what to say about this set...I mean, it was extremely well played and enjoyable, the sound was decent, etc. But again, the crowd fucked it all over. Seriously people, you don't need to get so excited you quit watching the band when Wavves is standing 50 feet from you on the other side of the room.

Autolux (Void Room, 12:10am)
Oh man, this was fucking incredible. Loudest show (excepting My Bloody Valentine) that I've ever been to. I didn't think the combination of industrial and shoegaze that Autolux play would go over too well in the Void, but it was easily the best show I saw all weekend. To the bros that insisted on crowd surfing: stop. not. acceptable.

Wavves (Canopy, 1am)
Is it ok to enjoy Wavves yet?. He's not as bad as people say he is. I actually kinda enjoyed the few songs I saw. And apparently Zach Hill (Hella, etc) was playing drums with him...

Pygmalion: Thursday

Ohtis (Void Room, 6:20 pm)
First things first: Ohtis are not breaking up. However, Sam (guitarist) is apparently moving to Detroit. The band seemed disoriented (or drunk?), but still turned in great versions of "Sugar Babe", "Downtown Your Heart", and "Lollalollalollalollalollalollapalooza". I'd like to add that Ohtis' album, If This Country Had a Heart, That's Where I Was Born is one of the best things I've heard in a long time, local or not. It can be (legally!) downloaded at their Myspace MEGABLOG


Brooke Waggoner (Krannert Art Museum, 7:20 pm)
I was expecting standard girl-with-piano fare from this set, which is just about what it was, albeit with some excellent technical work. I found myself wishing I'd arrived earlier to Liz Janes, whose closing number was far better than anything I heard Brooke Waggoner play.

Joe Pug (Canopy Club, 9:40 pm)
Joe Pug is better than Bob Dylan because you don't have to deal with a bunch of rabid Bob Dylan fans (think Mac fanboys, but in the 1960s. authentic!). That said, this was actually a really enjoyable set, with "Bury Me Far From My Uniform" and (of course) "Nation of Heat" being the standouts.

Decibully (Void Room, 10:30 pm)
Last time Decibully played Pygmalion, they got their set cut due to a late show running late. The time after that, at Courtyard in May, I was the only person who showed up to the show. I can't begin to describe how awesome it is to see them actually get to play a full set to an enthusiastic audience. They covered most of their new album, World Travels Fast, including awesome versions of "Don't Believe the Hype" and "Broken Glass". Thankfully, at least one old favorite ("Penny, Look Down") made it's way into the set as well.


Maserati (Canopy, 11:10pm)
I can't even begin to describe how awesome this was. Top 5 set of the festival, easily. Jerry Fuchs is a god...I've never seen anyone play drums like that. Tristan guested on a massive, kraut-influenced "Show Me the Season", and the closer ("Monoliths") was even better.

Skream (Highdive, 12am)
If anyone caught the epic flamewar regarding this show on SmilePolitely, you know that several of the main players in the DM crew were hyping this pretty heavily. They weren't joking. Skream owned the crowd like few electronic acts can. This wasn't a Girl Talk show where everyone is more focused on their friends or how much fun they're having. The whole crowd was rapt on Skream as he meticulously layered vinyl samples, sequencers, and bass bombs to create his excellent set. While I left before the very end of his set (1:45), it sounded like he even dropped some DnB as I was walking out the door.

Elsinore (House Party, 2:00am)
This was pretty awesome, but next time maybe setup in the basement, guys. Its like nobody here knows how to run a house show anymore (not that there weren't multiple awesome shows or to disparage anyone setting them up, but AFAIK every single one except for The Ruckus got busted). That said, Elsinore were pretty great. Crowd was rockin'. Headlights and Maserati were due to play after, but the cops showed up during Elsinore's last song. That said, the house party idea is fucking awesome, and I seriously hope this continues in years to come.

(photos: Ben, Sarah)

Pygmalion: Wednesday

Part one of Pygmalion coverage. More coming soon!

Common Loon (Void Room, 8:30 pm)
I've been disappointed with Common Loon's live sets in the past. Sure, they have the songs and chops to put on a great show, but they've always been so...restrained. Not on Wednesday night. They lit up the void room with a furiously loud show (aside from Autolux and Wavves, the loudest thing I heard all weekend), and I can't wait to finally get their album.

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band (Void Room, 9:30pm)
Another set I wasn't expecting too much from and wound up being blown away by. On their albums, MSHVB play a freewheeling but delicate brand of indie pop completely unlike their live show. Strongly reminiscent of Modest Mouse, their songs took on an intense and urgent energy live. Another band I'll definitely be checking out more of.

Owen (Canopy Club, 10pm)
The only real letdown of the night, mostly due to sound issues and the crowd's inability to STFU and listen. To be fair, Owen was mismatched as hell on this bill, and even Bob Nanna couldn't overcome the noise. I would have loved to see him outdoors in the Krannert Amphitheater instead...

Japandroids (Canopy Club, 11pm)
This was a fucking sweet set. I was NOT expecting them to be this awesome....once the mix cleared up, people were pogoing like no tomorrow. They played pretty much all of Post-Nothing. Highlight of the night by far.

Headlights (Canopy Club, 12am)
Usually, I know what to expect from a Headlights show. Tonight I did not, as they devoted roughly half their set to the new material, which is far more rocking than their previous albums, while still being just as good. A major highlight was the lengthy, shoegaze-inspired "Dead Ends", which has an absolutely massive chorus (can't wait to hear the album version!). Cherry Tulips > School Boys > Put Us Back Together Right > Lions with the whole crowd on stage was a terrific way to end the night and kickoff the festival.

Review: The National/The Long Count at Krannert

Krannert needs to stop having rock shows. None of the halls are suited to them. Aside from the terrible mix, I can't think of a better example than when Matt Berninger, in the midst of the standard Mr. November crowd-excusion, attempted to walk on the cushy seats in Tryon and nearly fell over. The several hundred empty seats didn't help, but it was nice when Berninger invited the balcony crowd down into the front. While it was an awkward setting, the show overall was great. The band mentioned several times that this was their last show before a long break, and they played a long, jammy set with a handful of new songs alongside fan-favorites like Mistaken For Strangers and Fake Empire (easily the highlight of the show). While it was an excellent, fun show, this was probably the worst performance I saw at Ellnora this year.

Friday night, something far more interesting was going on: The Long Count. With 3/5ths of the National, Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond), Kelley Deal, and an extremely skinny Kim Deal (seriously, I didn't recognize her), I would have expected the music to be firmly grounded in indie rock, but instead we got something closer to a Phillip Glass opera. The stage setup was slightly cheesy (mirrors on the floor and fake rocks...really guys?), but it actually provided a pretty decent counterpoint to the music, distracting from the actual performers and creating a blurred aesthetic that matched the shifting, disorienting music. The baseball-themed vocal loops and minimalist orchestration clearly took inspiration from minimalist composers such as Reich, Glass, and Partch, with a few elements borrowed from contemporary avant-garde, such as Kim Deal beating a heavily distorted violin into submission during one of her vocal features. Speaking of which, lets talk about Shara Worden. That woman can sing! Her expansive, soaring voice filled the tiny Colwell Playhouse to the brim during her two arias, which were definitely the best parts of the performance. The Bjork-caliber feathered headdress she wore wasn't even needed.

Review/Download: Derek Trucks Band at Krannert

Derek Trucks completely owned Krannert last Thursday. There's no other way to put it. Displaying a huge range of styles, from slide guitar ("Meet Me at the Bottom") to eastern ragas ("Sahib Teri Bandi") to full-on jazz ("My Favorite Things"), his performance was, in every sense of the word, a tour-de-force, even in the cramped and sweaty Krannert Lobby (which really doesn't seem like it was designed for several thousand people).

Additionally, Derek is kind enough to allow recording/trading of his live shows, and we've recorded/uploaded it for you!

Download (FLAC/MP3)

Because of a loud clapper in the left channel, I couldn't amplify the recording without clipping. So, you'll need to turn your speakers up a bit. Also, this is best enjoyed on a decent stereo/with headphones. If you download this, please support Derek Trucks by attending his shows (he's on tour almost constantly, you really don't have an excuse to miss this) and purchasing his albums/merch.

Review: Vivian Girls

Vivian Girls at Cowboy Monkey, August 29th

Between the opening blast of "All the Time" to the relatively low-key closer "My Baby Wants Me Dead", Vivian Girls packed Cowboy Monkey with an even hour of ferocious, noisy, low-key punk songs. While "All the Time" was an early highlight, the high point of the show was easily the encore, consisting of "I Believe in Nothing", "Damaged", and the aforementioned "My Baby Wants Me Dead". The instrument rotation jam (a tradition originated by Phish, if I'm not mistaken) during "Damaged" was the definitive highpoint of the show, showcasing not only Vivian Girls' playing proficiency, but also their willingness to stretch the boundaries of the punk genre itself. Lead singer/guitarist Cassie Ramone's humor was on display throughout the set, salvaging early technical issues by declaring that the band was going to get Smashing Pumpkins tattoos ("they're gonna say the world is a vampire, which is something we really believe in") and dealing with the slightly creepy 30-something guy who kept sending the band rounds of shots. Openers The Beets turned in a spirited, antifolk inspired set of songs about topics such as satan and death, while locals My Werewolf Diary (Elzie and Caleb of New Ruins) showcased a sound reminiscent of the older-acoustic driven New Ruins material.

Vivian Girls setlist:
All the Time
Surfin' Away
Wild Eyes
The Desert
Can't Get Over You
You're My Guy
Double Vision
Tension
Out for the Sun
The End
Second Date
Never See Me Again
Before I Start to Cry
When I Get Home
Tell the World
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I Believe in Nothing
Damaged (instrument rotation jam)
My Baby Wants Me Dead

The Vivian Girls and Beets sets were recorded, and pending band approval, will be posted here to download

(photos: Sarah, Ben)