#crescentballroom

Crumb September 16, 2019 at Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix AZ [Touring for their Jinx release]

I don’t know how, but this DIY band has made it in a roundabout way... selling out shows without even having a proper record release... and now touring their proper self released record. I remember hearing their frenchy, jazzy and chill vibes not unlike sterolab for the first time a couple years ago and placing them in the pass list in my yearly SXSW research. Songs like Nina, Locket and So Tired got my attention and off their latest, Part III and M.R. continue their aesthetic.

It took me their third--as far as I know, tour to finally see them at Crescent Ballroom this past September. So glad I did.

Bird & the Bee August 28, 2019 at Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix AZ [Touring for their Interpreting the Masters, Volume 2: A Tribute to Van Halen release]

A softer jazzier spin to the Raucous Rock of Van Halen delivered by Daimond Dave, Inara George and co. reinterpret it with a soft but with edge output. I was not a fan of the music in the 80s, but I remember having to watch Jump and Hot for Teacher and I do remember chuckling at the latter. Now they are nostalgic and bring me back to my youth weather I like the music or not... the rose colored nostlagic glass come out. But these were fun spins and I absolutely love all the musicians solo work and as the Bird and the Bee. Greg Kurstin, Producer extraordinaire is not one to travel, so Alex Lilly played keys in his absence. Inara brought out a video of him doing piano for a song so it could feel like he was there for at least one song, but the girls... Inara, Alex, Samantha and Barbara all give 100% for a great and fun live show... along with Vikram on horns and other instruments. In a word, the show was Badass. This tour was a team effort, all acts under Inara’s Release Me Label, so they all rotated and offered their distinctive music but then joined altogether for the rock tribute. I got to chat with Barbara, Alex and Inara post show... they were all so humble and sweet.

Superorganism April 24, 2019 at Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix AZ [Touring for their Self-Titled release]

I’m so glad I found out about this band before their tour stop in Phoenix. Thy’re  the epitomy of what an artschool band output could be... complete with an artist member designing all of their merch, videos and a collaborative effort in song creation by all members with the lead vocalist responsible for the song content which she delivers with a sarcastic and real output that’s a touch Daria and Gudetama character, off set by the trio of back up singer/dancers that emit a more positive and upbeat vibe. Not tome mention that all but one of the members moved from different parts of the country to London and live and create their strange and quirky brand of music in a shared home.

If I had to compare, I’d say their live show rivals that of Rubblebucket who also give a great live show in which they feel very much like pied pipers leading the audience under a musical enchantment. But with Superorganism... their songs all have an anthem-like quality.

Their music is a juxtaposition of noting life’s cruel realities but also a tincture/balm/musical cure that quells anxiety and depression and anger and melancholy this generation and era have in spades. I relate greatly... despite being in that Xennial/Jared Leto/Oregon trail generation gap...

Cut Copy September 6, 2018 at Crescent Balroom, Phoenix AZ [Touring in support of their Haiku from Zero Album]

A friend bought tickets and called me out of the blue and said since I introduced the band to him, he couldn’t think who better to be his plus 1 and to get the iris up front experience. How could I say no... it was a night to dance ones cares away... 

Kauf September 6, 2018 at Crescent Balroom, Phoenix AZ [Touring in support of their Regrowth Album] 

Had no idea who Kauf was... but the show introduced his electronic music as being released under cut copy’s own label. At the time I remember thinking how the setlist had a strong concept and one that my thoughts were lingering on... in particular the idea of relocation... like Men I Trust’s music, it has a dancy feel, but with a slower cadence.