Spindrift/Dead Meadow/Black Angels - 10/30/2011

Spindrift/Dead Meadow/Black Angels – pretty awesome line-up for a Sunday night show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg right before Halloween right? I don't actually think “pretty awesome” are words that do any of the bands justice, but let’s just say that this was one amazingly good show! Everyone knows Dead Meadow and The Black Angels, so I’ll just post a few brief words about them, because I really want to focus more on Spindrift.

I’ve liked Spindrift for a long time. The first time I saw them was back in 2007, at Club Midway in the basement - I had no idea who they were but I was pretty much blown away by how good they sounded. They have played here quite a few times since then, but I hadn’t had a chance to see them again since last night. The line-up has changed (pretty much completely), but they are still just as good, actually maybe even better? I just love their version of psych rock, with a real Western/Western movie feel. Think of campfires, saloons, cowboys, horses and large, vast landscapes, as these all come to mind when you listen to them. I think I have a bit of a girl crush on the only woman in the band, Sasha Vallely-Certik, because she plays the flute and has a lovely voice. She kind of made me want to start singing again. And this song is just too cool:

Spindrift – Shadytown

Listen to the whole album, Spindrift - Classic Soundtracks, Vol.1, it’s a compilation of music made for different movie soundtracks and I’m really enjoying it today. Then listen to the rest of the music available and go and see them live because you honestly will enjoy them. Well I did anyway.

Dead Meadow were as good as they always are – I don’t think I have ever been to a bad Dead Meadow show. My roommate introduced me to them years ago, and I go through times of listening to them constantly, to forgetting about them, to going back to listening to them constantly again. Anyway, they sounded great, and it’s really cool that their original drummer is back with them for good.

The Black Angels were wonderful, and they played all my favourites. They are one of the best live acts I have seen this year – even my friend Rosie was actually moving to the music, and she usually doesn’t move an inch, however good/danceable/amazing the music is. So there you go, if even Rosie is dancing, you know that the main audience were really moving! I really enjoyed the stripped down, slower songs during the encore too, although that may not have been for everyone. I thought it was a great choice (and I was happy to hear them live).

I’m going to go back to pretending I’m in a Western movie. Happy Halloween everyone!