It is hard these days to do new things in the world of popular music (popular used in a very broad sense). St. Vincent seems to have achieved this, which is an accomplishment in and of itself. While I will mention some reference points, I do want to underline how unique and refreshing was this show.
I went to this show relatively cold and I will assume you don't know this music either. Let me first describe: Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent)- Tall, thin, pale, striking dark curly hair, somewhat ethereal voice though with confidence and power; Evan Smith - sax, flute and clarinet variously ethereal and punchy on sax; Daniel Hart - mostly violin and some guitar, some backing vocals - no real virtuoso soloing, moody, floating above; Bill Flynn - lively, punchy but underneath; Anthony Lamarca - drums, solid and quick to shift gears, time signatures. The band, I assume through lots of recent touring, is tight, turns on a dime, delivers a wide range of sounds, moods through their unusual instrumentation.
St. Vincent is a study in contrast and contradictions, done with great engagement and creativity. Ethereal flute and violin figures interrupted by brittle, distorted electric guitar; strong and waif-like; singing "help me" or "save me from what I want", without conveying any sense that she needs help or saving. Songs start with delicacy and rise to big, loud, distorted crescendos.
I do want to mention what a fan I am of expertly distorted electric guitars. I have heard and seen many of the great ones, Pete Townshend, Jeff Beck, Larry Coryell, Tom Verlaine, Trey Anastasio, Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp, Jeff Tweedy and Nils Cline. St. Vincent I gladly add to this venerable list. Her sound experiments are an integral part of her music, at times pounding her fist on the body of her guitar to get the desired effect/sound. While moments of this show recalled some of the punchy, wind, percussed sound of some Zappa or that obscure Fripp band, the League of Gentlemen, none of it sounded derivative, but rather fresh and new. With all of the music I see, new can be quite fun (Andrew bird is the other discovery from last year that goes in that category, thanks to Julia).
Highlights tonight were the beautiful, delicate, solo St. Vincent cover of Jackson Browne's These Days. Save Me From What I Want and Marrow, I find particularly alluring. Though I must say that I was engaged by the entire show and plan to explore St. Vincent's music with great interest and will not miss her when in town or close by.
Diesel is turning out to be a venue I like a lot. I saw a great Belew Power Trio show there last year. At this show, the sound was good, clean and capturing the sometimes delicate textures while also delivering power when needed. St. Vincent's light show added nicely to the performance.
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