photos by priscilla de lima-ledesma
words by jacquelyn pyun
“Shut the front door. She’s a real live fairy.” (Quote Whitney)
Tif Lamson from GIVERS sings, percussions, ukuleles, and jump-dance-flutters within her space. Pretty sure Whitney’s right—she’s a magical-sunshine-painted fairy.
GIVERS opened for the Dirty Projectors Thursday night at the Black Cat. Bouncing around in a line across the front of the stage, the eccentric group moves with a staccato energy that reminds me of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes—so naturally I’m in lusty love.
Their sound is kind of an afro-indie-electro-pop. A few times the chiming xylophone and clarity of the vocal layer had me thinking of Vampire Weekend—but a much more intriguing, luscious, orgy-ed version of VP.
Singing wide-smiled on lead with Lamson was Taylor Guarisco. Taylor has the biggest mouth I have ever seen, and looks oddly like Taylor Hanson. And he sings with his eyes rolled back into his head. Totally irrelevant, but I thought it was awesome.
This is GIVERS’ first time on tour, but they play like they’ve been doing it for decades. With the addition of trumpet, a second set of drums, and more voices, their fairy tale show was a mix of Sound of Music innocence and crazed carnal drum eruptions—great start to the night.
For weeks I’ve been waiting (dying) for the Dirty Projectors show. I am a huge fan of the band, and always always enjoy hearing them live. It seems like people either despise or embrace DP—maybe because of how ugly-sexy their music sometimes feels. But, for me, the inventive dissonant harmonies and syncopation are the driving forces behind their music, creating an incomparable strange-but-beautiful experience. And how they can sing those complicated minor harmonies with ten-thousand other musical stimulatory melodies blows me away every time I see them.
Dave Longstreth et al are as innovative as ever on their latest album, “Bitte Orca,” and they showed it off well Thursday. As one of the lead vocalists and the driving creative force behind DP, Longstreth’s nasal-y, creeping voice is one of my favorite elements.
A few highlights from the set in my opinion…“Remade Horizon” is an excellent show and tell of the voice control and precision that the DP women have. Angel Deradoorian, Amber Coffman, and Haley Dekle bounce their voices off each other in rapid quick-fire succession—think water droplets from a Disney movie bred with something quite a bit more R-rated. Weak-in-my-knees “Two Doves.” Deradoorian sings becomingly “call on me, call on meeeeeee,” and I want to kiss her. “Stillness is the move” is a clear crowd favorite—as Amber Coffman wondrously projects her sultry voice into the space. And that twangy guitar wail in the chorus is addictive—it just sticks in your head.
I loved the show, but I am very much an embrace-er of DP. Other thoughts y’all? And check out Priscilla fucking fantastic shots from the show, beautiful as always.
yikes, thanks for sharing michael, i am so totally curious on DP lately
i personally just can’t shake them… but definitely know a lot of people on your side of the fence
October 27, 2009 at 10:45 ammichael, you might enjoy this:
http://www.somethingawful.com/d/garbage-day/dirty-projectors-orca.php
October 27, 2009 at 10:46 amDick I still have a fake velvet rope with your name on it!
October 27, 2009 at 11:06 amDP *snickers*
October 27, 2009 at 11:07 amThat SA article mentioned who Longstreth compares himself to. This is a fun article from the Onvion AVC where he gets to respond to hyperbolic and/or off-target comparisons:
http://www.avclub.com/austin/articles/dirty-projectors-david-longstreth-doesnt-think-the,34303/
Fun stuff.
October 27, 2009 at 11:11 amI guess I would be sad too if I didn’t ‘get’ something that was almost universally praised among people who know what they’re talking about, but the vitrol with which people lash out at the dirty projectors is really stunning. just put on a fugazi album and cry yourself to sleep bro. you’ll feel better in the morning.
P.S. – The Givers killed it!!! Those kids are going places, I say!
October 27, 2009 at 11:21 am*vitriol
October 27, 2009 at 11:24 amgivers made my night, wonderful wonderful
October 27, 2009 at 11:27 amSo on board with jacq… I am still on a high from the Givers’ set. They were so happy to be playing music, it was awesome. The DPs were much better a few months back when they opened for TV on the Radio at 930… I wasn’t disappointed by their show, because I’ve been so excited for it… But I wasn’t amazed. The Givers made it all worth it. Hope they come back to DC soon!
October 27, 2009 at 2:11 pmthis gig was so gooOoooooOOOOooOod
October 27, 2009 at 2:22 pmDick – just read that article. Spot on. Thanks.
October 27, 2009 at 4:05 pmGivers representin’ my hometown of Lafayette, LA! They fucking brought it. How great was it when Dave tried to tell the story of coming in late to a show in Baton Rouge and seeing these kids just destroying the crowd? I almost cried…. They told me afterwards this is their 17th show ever(!!) Amazing. Here’s a vid my bro shot of them that first night they opened for DPz in Baton Rouge http://vimeo.com/6525089
October 27, 2009 at 6:27 pmbut Dirty Projectors are on such another level, some people can’t get into it. I get it, but I feel sorry for you. You’re missing out. I loved every second of it.
October 27, 2009 at 6:37 pmI miss Spanish Moon & Chelseas & Red Star
October 28, 2009 at 9:16 am
Dirty Projectors was so bad I was embarassed to be seen upstairs lest people associate me with liking them. Unfortunately my bearded bartender also was suffering through their atrocity so I had to keep rushing upstairs, hiding my face, ordering a beer and a shot, then going back downstairs.
Hey you asked for other thoughts. They sucked. I have been going to the Cat for 10 years and worked there for three. I struggled but can’t remember a worse band. I’m sure there have been, but definitely not a worse band that sold out the upstairs.
Truly regrettable nonsense.
October 27, 2009 at 10:22 am