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Tour Dates
11/25/15 Kingston, NY BSP Lounge
12/05/15 Saratoga Springs, NY Skidmore College Read More
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Mitski, Palehound and PWR BTTM made their debut at First Ave’s side room, 7th Street Entry, on November 19th. With it, they brought a night of catharsis to the lonely, heart-broken and disillusioned young adults of Minneapolis.
PWR BTTM were a lot more pop than I expected them to be. For some reason because of their name I expected them to be a raucous and angsty punker band. Well, maybe they are a bit angsty, but they totally fit the bill’s sentimental energy. They employ some fun and adorable sounding power pop to tell their stories of loneliness and alienation. I think the climax of the set was their song “Serving Goffman,” off of the new Ugly Cherries. It really encapsulates their story and sound in just over two minutes.
Palehound seemed to have as many fans at the show as Mitski. Not only because they are Pitchfork darlings. Delivering a somber, yet engaged set to an attentive audience, it’s clear that Ellen Kempner really cares about her story and craft. Her soundscape could be considered standard indie rock if it wasn’t for the evocative, sincere lyrics and almost new wave guitar noodling that she weaves in. Live she adds a bit of fury to the songs with some strong well placed shrieks. Her band is also very tight, and I enjoyed the tone and trot that the bassist brought. I’m definitely interested in what else Ellen decides to create as Palehound.
Mitski’s touring band this time around had the standard power trio set-up; Guitar, drums and bass. And with that, she was able to deliver fully fleshed renditions of her Bury Me at Makeout Creek. I will admit that I was a bit disappointed that her set wasn’t quite as visceral as her opening set for Elvis Depressedly in Denver, CO. I think part of that might be because she had to fill in the guitar or bass for her missing band member at that show. Yet, it also left me pretty impressed on what kind of last minutes stops she can pull to put on a good show. She’s definitely got a knack for showmanship as her gloomy thematic album suggests, but I’ve now seen it confirmed repeatedly. She’s also very good at bringing an intimate set to another level with her musings and perceptions on her everyday and her personal accounts of people at their worst. Like I said before, Mitski is not just a musical project, it’s an identity. Pop gem craftsman, heart on sleeve feminist, with knack in finding the light in the dark, she’ll continue to captivate release after release.
PWR BTTM were a lot more pop than I expected them to be. For some reason because of their name I expected them to be a raucous and angsty punker band. Well, maybe they are a bit angsty, but they totally fit the bill’s sentimental energy. They employ some fun and adorable sounding power pop to tell their stories of loneliness and alienation. I think the climax of the set was their song “Serving Goffman,” off of the new Ugly Cherries. It really encapsulates their story and sound in just over two minutes.
“I found out people aren't that mean but it
It still feels like they're laughing at me
When they're just
Saying hello
What's your favorite color
Do you need to borrow my bike
Do you have a lucky number
Do you like the movies I like”
Palehound
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Mitski’s touring band this time around had the standard power trio set-up; Guitar, drums and bass. And with that, she was able to deliver fully fleshed renditions of her Bury Me at Makeout Creek. I will admit that I was a bit disappointed that her set wasn’t quite as visceral as her opening set for Elvis Depressedly in Denver, CO. I think part of that might be because she had to fill in the guitar or bass for her missing band member at that show. Yet, it also left me pretty impressed on what kind of last minutes stops she can pull to put on a good show. She’s definitely got a knack for showmanship as her gloomy thematic album suggests, but I’ve now seen it confirmed repeatedly. She’s also very good at bringing an intimate set to another level with her musings and perceptions on her everyday and her personal accounts of people at their worst. Like I said before, Mitski is not just a musical project, it’s an identity. Pop gem craftsman, heart on sleeve feminist, with knack in finding the light in the dark, she’ll continue to captivate release after release.
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Mitski at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (19 Nov 2015) |
