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!

Interpol - Music Hall of Williamsburg 09/10/2010

Previously I was pretty sad and disappointed by how the new album sounded, seeing as Interpol have been such a big part of my life for so long...

Well they did an impromptu show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (my second favourite venue) in NYC last night and I got to see them. And they were AMAZING. Nothing has changed (except for Carlos' presence, more on that in a bit). I had forgotten exactly how much I loved them, and how big a part of my life the music had been for a long time.

It brought back so many memories...
Lynn and me, seeing the very last two shows from the Antics tour here in NYC in 2005
Listening to NYC while getting on my first subway ride in NYC and realising that I was REALLY here
Darkroom and Darkroom basement and 2005 and 2006
Listening to Rest My Chemistry and realising I needed to do the same
Wednesday nights

Anyway - there are lots more, but I won't bore everyone with a nostalgia trip - I'll just enjoy it myself.

The new songs sound good live - so I am going to give the album another try with a different ear. It was a little strange at first not to see Carlos on stage, and the new bassist Dave Pajo seems to fit in fine.