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Setlist
Tour Dates
12/05/13 Chicago, IL Metro / Smart Bar
12/06/13 Detroit, MI Magic Stick 12/07/13 Madison, WI Barrymore Theatre Read More
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Even the second night of a two-night homestand, sold out and full of family and friends, couldn’t make Poliça lead singer Channy Leaneagh be less shy and more outgoing—not that anyone really minded.
The Minneapolis-based band is riding high on their second full-length, the October-released Shulamith (Mom+Pop Records), winding down a successful four-week club tour and recently appearing on Later with Jools Holland on UK TV.
The newer songs, with album named after and somewhat inspired by late feminist writer Shulamith Firestone, evoke a sense of lyrical heartache and separation, yet also crest with empowerment and a greater self-awareness, the result of Leaneagh’s marital separation and the tribulations of being in a well-traveled, on-the-rise band.
‘Spilling Lines’ opened their 75 min. set, Leaneagh positioned with electronic gadgets on house right side, flanked by the thunderous rhythm section of Chris Bierden on bass to her right, and drummers Drew Christopherson and Ben Ivascu along the back, in front of a massive (un-pixelated) image of the new album’s front cover. Direct lighting was sparse for the entire set, relying instead on patterned projections, which blanketed the band and stage with ethereal, camouflaged textures, adding to the overall mood.
Familiar songs from their previous Give Up the Ghost release (‘Lay Your Cards Out’, Amongster’, ‘Dark Star’) were peppered in generously, but the focus was clearly on the new material – lighter sounding overall, which belies the sometimes heavy lyrics, and with less vocal effects and auto-tune done to Leaneagh’s voice, which resulted in a more fragile and revealing, but ultimately triumphant, performance live.
Recent single, ‘Tiff’ (which features Justin ‘Bon Iver’ Vernon on record) and ‘Warrior Lord’ were especially powerful, Leaneagh’s voice stripped of most effects, sounding independent and revelatory.
Seeing the band in person, the most fascinating thing may be watching the rhythm section - bassist Bierden anchoring each song and drummers Christopherson and Ivascu not playing in time with each other; instead, complimenting each with their own individual percussive conversations that form together in the middle as a unique trip-hop dialogue. Given the fact that both drummers performed four sets over two nights (both were a part of openers Marijuana Deathsquads as well), any minor missed beat could have been easily forgiven.
“We’re going to try to do this extra good”, Leaneagh began the encore, asking for minimal talking as she launched into a delicate, shortened version of hit ‘Wandering Star’, accompanied only by a minimal bassline by Bierden.
Drums thundered back for a resounding cover of Lesley Gore’s 1960’s emancipation anthem, ‘You Don’t Own Me’, Leaneagh passionately delivering lyrics whilst marching back and forth about the stage, clearly moved by the spirit of independence in the lyrics. ‘Matty’ with its jarringly emotional verses closed the evening, throbbing beats against electronic echoes, crescendo-ing with a tugging, “I’m gonna let my love ring strong”.
“It’s good to be home!”, drummer Ivascu announced bouncing from his kit before leaving the stage, with the sold-out crowd no doubt in full agreement.
The Minneapolis-based band is riding high on their second full-length, the October-released Shulamith (Mom+Pop Records), winding down a successful four-week club tour and recently appearing on Later with Jools Holland on UK TV.
The newer songs, with album named after and somewhat inspired by late feminist writer Shulamith Firestone, evoke a sense of lyrical heartache and separation, yet also crest with empowerment and a greater self-awareness, the result of Leaneagh’s marital separation and the tribulations of being in a well-traveled, on-the-rise band.
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camouflaged textures
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Photo of Setlist
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Recent single, ‘Tiff’ (which features Justin ‘Bon Iver’ Vernon on record) and ‘Warrior Lord’ were especially powerful, Leaneagh’s voice stripped of most effects, sounding independent and revelatory.
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rhythm section
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“We’re going to try to do this extra good”, Leaneagh began the encore, asking for minimal talking as she launched into a delicate, shortened version of hit ‘Wandering Star’, accompanied only by a minimal bassline by Bierden.
Drums thundered back for a resounding cover of Lesley Gore’s 1960’s emancipation anthem, ‘You Don’t Own Me’, Leaneagh passionately delivering lyrics whilst marching back and forth about the stage, clearly moved by the spirit of independence in the lyrics. ‘Matty’ with its jarringly emotional verses closed the evening, throbbing beats against electronic echoes, crescendo-ing with a tugging, “I’m gonna let my love ring strong”.
“It’s good to be home!”, drummer Ivascu announced bouncing from his kit before leaving the stage, with the sold-out crowd no doubt in full agreement.
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Poliça at Mill City Nights, Minneapolis (11/30/13) |
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