These Red Bull Sound Select Shows have begun to take things to the next level. We had a great time at the last show, which featured fast-rising stars The Tontons. This past Wednesday at Spiderhouse Ballroom, Red Bull brought Austin heroes The Octopus Project to the stage on a bill that also treated fans to up and comers Night Drive as well as The Black and White Years, who have seen past success and find themselves poised for a rebirth.
Before the show began, the line was wrapped around the building stretching almost a block long. Austin loves its Octopus Project. And their love is not without reason–the band’s recent shows have featured an incredible projection and light display that’s a hell of a lot of fun to watch and a pleasure to photograph. Shortly after the first opener, two fans giddy with smiles, bounced joyfully up behind our little enclave of photographers almost unable to contain their teeming excitement. The Octopus Project inspires that kind of happiness in people. They’re one of a few instrumental bands that have managed to create soundscapes that deliver live while retaining a fairly traditional tools of arrangement, their use of theremin being the notable exception.
The Octopus Project’s shows provide multi-faceted stimuli–vivid colors, constantly shifting lights, fascinating imagery and, of course, a barrage of sound. Even excellent bands can become stale live, but it’s hard to be bored at an Octopus Project show. The band easily held the crowd enrapt for over an hour. I’m impressed by the band’s ability to remain cohesive while tapping into sinister moods with songs like “The Adjuster” and joyous songs such as “Truck.”
Night Drive proved an excellent opener for the Octopus Project. In recent weeks, the band has garnered enormous praise from local music writers. The band feels like an extension of the recent film Drive, borrowing both dark 80s synth-pop sensibilities as well as wardrobe. The duo of Brandon Duhon & Rodney Connell borrow heavily from New Order and like minded bands. Their recorded material sounds amazing, and they’re incredibly fun live. We highly recommend seeing them soon.
The Black and White years saw enormous success with the release of their first album. Since then, the band has been through some ups and downs, trying to find footing and make sense of the music industry landscape. Recently announcing that their new album will see release by Austin label Modern Outsider, the band appears to have found stability with a hometown operation. We couldn’t be happier about this, since the group’s two most recent singles mark their best output thus far. Look for big things from them in 2014.
Great bill, Red Bull–I’m impressed. I took way too many photos, but the set came together nicely. I tried to cut it down–really. Thanks for taking time to peruse the gallery below. All images © Bryan Parker & Pop Press International. Click any image to open in slideshow viewer.
