As nice and cozy the layout is down at the Tap Bar at Knitting Factory, the sound pretty much sucked. There was quite a bit of distortion through the two band sets I stayed for, and a couple of feedback issues during These United States, but luckily there is too much charm, energy and cohesion in this band for little things like terrible sound to come in the way of total enjoyment, and I remain baffled as to what it is about these songs, especially the ones off Crimes, that makes them come alive as far bigger beasts when performed live. I must mention that they didn’t play “Honor Amongst Thieves”–why wouldn’t I be obsessed with this song, I listen to it every time I feel the need to awaken from daily slumber. But they did end with “When You’re Traveling at the Speed of Light”, which was just as good, and really the entire set was filled with goodies. Since Mark Charles is away touring with his own project Vandaveer, they played as a four-piece. I made sure to take a video of “When You’re Traveling at the Speed of Light” so that you can witness some of the awesomeness.
Continue Reading »
[imeem http://media.imeem.com/m/0a0j024wbk/aus=false/]
Denmark’s Under Byen brought back their pensive tunes to New York, this time at the all-age Knitting Factory’s Main Stage. The two drummers fitted themselves at the back of the small space, and cello, saw, violin, pedals, piano, guitar, bass were all in place to twirl around singer Henriette Sennenvaldt’s breathy indulgence. The only thing embarrassing when it comes to music as solemn as this, and performed with no shortcomings at that, is all the chattering you can hear from the audience, especially at a venue so small. There was undivided attention at the end of each song, however, when it came time to applaud and hoot. The band members don’t say a word, of course, and when someone yelled, “You have a beautiful voice!”, Henriette simply lowered her head slowly and rolled it back up.
The set was mostly filled with songs from the latest, Samme Stof Som Stof, though I think their older albums Det Er Mig Der Holder Traeerne Sammen and Kyst are the ones filled with indispensable showcase pieces. “Den Her Sang Handler Om At FÃ¥ Det Bedste Ud Af Det” from the new one, however, is a real winner played live.
[imeem http://media.imeem.com/m/oJgv2JT6JU/aus=false/]
More after the jump.
Continue Reading »
