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Read More Tycho's latest album, Dive, is out now on Ghostly International. The title track on Tycho's LP is said to have his first song to feature a prominent guest musician, guitarist Zac Brown.
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Tycho brought their ambient live music to the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis last night, July 5th, 2012.
Opening was Onuinu (as heard, it's pronounced "on-noo-in-noo"), the latest project from Portland's Dorian Duvall. I had no idea what to expect, but I actually really enjoyed his set. For a duo out of Portland, they sure sound like they belong to the Brooklyn music scene. They ended their set with their forthcoming video/single for "Happy Home".
It was Tycho's fifth time in Minneapolis, and boy, they had such a healthy turnout for the show. Most of the audience was at the college-age, lots of make-out young couples in the crowd and hippies-ish potheads. On random inquiries by Varsity's manager, one person said they heard Tycho's music via their friends and one person said they discovered him on the Hype Machine (which we are featured on).
Anyway, Tycho didn't have a setlist, but based on the music having to be synced directly with the movie projected in the background, that it's a safe bet that they play the same set every night for this new tour. There was very little banter between songs (at least for the songs I saw), so it was awkward quiet when the show goes dark (as the next movie is queued up).
You can tell that the whole thing, the sound and visuals, were specifically designed by Tycho himself. As it turned out Scott Hansen (aka Tycho) is photographer and designer. Although they had no lyrics for their songs (pre-recorded ethereal background vocals doesn't count), the video on screen often ties directly to the song. For instance, for "A Walk", you are shown a woman in a sheet walking in the desert and the scene changes accordingly when the music shifts.
Unlike DJs that plays and mixes this type of downbeat techno, it was nice to see that Tycho can produce their music using traditional guitars and drums and a little programming.
Tycho is currently on tour for their album, Dive, which is out now on Ghostly International.
Onuinu
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It was Tycho's fifth time in Minneapolis, and boy, they had such a healthy turnout for the show. Most of the audience was at the college-age, lots of make-out young couples in the crowd and hippies-ish potheads. On random inquiries by Varsity's manager, one person said they heard Tycho's music via their friends and one person said they discovered him on the Hype Machine (which we are featured on).
Anyway, Tycho didn't have a setlist, but based on the music having to be synced directly with the movie projected in the background, that it's a safe bet that they play the same set every night for this new tour. There was very little banter between songs (at least for the songs I saw), so it was awkward quiet when the show goes dark (as the next movie is queued up).
You can tell that the whole thing, the sound and visuals, were specifically designed by Tycho himself. As it turned out Scott Hansen (aka Tycho) is photographer and designer. Although they had no lyrics for their songs (pre-recorded ethereal background vocals doesn't count), the video on screen often ties directly to the song. For instance, for "A Walk", you are shown a woman in a sheet walking in the desert and the scene changes accordingly when the music shifts.
Unlike DJs that plays and mixes this type of downbeat techno, it was nice to see that Tycho can produce their music using traditional guitars and drums and a little programming.
Tycho is currently on tour for their album, Dive, which is out now on Ghostly International.
Tycho at The Varsity Theater, Minneapolis (07/05/12) |
TRIPLE THREAT THURSDAY:
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It was Mandolin Orange's "first time ever" in Minnesota. This bluegrassy folksy trio also played at the "first ever indoors Cedar Outdoors" event. It wasn't that hot outside, but the volunteers at the Cedar decided to have the show inside. I think this is overall a good thing, because the venue's sound is much, much better than the outside setup (plus you also open yourself up to a larger capacity). Highlight of their set for me was "Poor Boy Poor Me". They had a double set, but I only stayed for the first one because I had prior commitments. Some of their upcoming shows:
7/06 - Madison, WI - House show
7/07 - Marquette, MI - House Concert 7/08 - Chicagee, IL - Uncommon Ground on Clark 7/09 - Rock Island, IL - DAYTROTTER! 7/10 - Cincinnati, OH - House show 7/11 - Durham, NC - Duke Gardens 7/16 - New York, NY - Rockwood Music Hall 7/19 - Providence, RI - Providence Social Club 8/04 - Elkin, NC - Reevestock Festival |
Already impressed with their previous Minneapolis appearance at the Cabooze, I really wanted to see them as headliner. Unfortunately, due to other commitments, I got in late at the 400 Bar. I spent the majority of their show in the back (which is fine because it gets incredibly hot in the front with all the fans packed in and dancing and stomping). The pictures turned out terrible from the distance, so I'll also described the setup - the drums and the women were dressed in a fourth of July-inspired colors. They had two songs for the encore, one of which I recognized as "Straight Shooter". They are currently on tour:
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