Brightest Young Things

all words and photos: Joel Mittleman

I begin with the embarrassing admission that I’ve never heard the late (and apparently great) DC band, the Apes. Being new to the District, I’d never even heard of the Apes. But while I’m sorry to have missed out, I must also admit that I’m not too upset: their breakup birthed Midnight Kids, the excellent band I saw Thursday night.

Midnight Kids brings three former Apes together with bassist Kalani Tifford and singer LouLou Ghelichkhani . Ghelichkhani, known for her work with Thievery Corporation, another DC musical institution, was no doubt a large part of what packed the Velvet Lounge on a cold Thursday. But it was the full band that quickly made the crowd happy they came out.

Though it was only their second show, Midnight Kids had nothing to prove. They played like a band thrilled to be sharing their first songs: well rehearsed, energetic, and still appreciative of the applause. Toward the end of their brief set, you got the feeling they were a little sad to stop, drawing out their last song an extra few minutes.

Their sound isn’t unique. Other groove-heavy, reverb-drenched, and disco-influenced rock bands easily come to mind. Still, I got the feeling that Midnight Kids had the potential to forge their own niche: a less grandiose (early) Killers, a more worldly Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Walking home, I realized the name Midnight Kids was a perfect fit for the band I’d just seen. There’s a childlike joy in their music, occasionally bursting through in Ghelichkhani’s near yelps. They remind us that having a band is cool, that it’s fun to turn the fog machine on and the music up loud. And yet, their music also has an anxious, mischievous edge. Watching guitarist Erick Jackson repeatedly kick his leg toward Ghelichkhani, you could almost see him reverting to an elementary school “kick the pretty girl” impulse.

Both Midnight Kids and I are new to the DC band scene. After their performance tonight, I’m happy we’re both here.

Previously in Live DC:

• 2/13: LiveDC: George Clinton & The Parliament-Funkadelic @ 930 Club
• 2/13: LiveDC: Veronica Falls/ Brilliant Colors @ Black Cat
• 2/13: LIVE DC: Steve Aoki/ Datsik/ Alvin Risk @ Fillmore
• 2/13: LiveDC: The Darkness @ 930 Club
• 2/9: LiveDC: Theophilus London @ 930 Club
• 2/9: Best Weekend Bets
• 2/8: LiveDC: Kathleen Edwards @ 930 Club
• 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
• 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
• 2/7: LiveDC: Demetri Martin @ Warner Theatre