As a huge fan of music from our nation’s Pacific Northwest, I’ve lamented not being to see bands when I’ve noticed them listed as playing Seattle venues Neumos, The Crocodile, or Showbox on a limited run of tour dates. Which is why I was psyched to discover that my trip to Seattle would correspond with Wye Oak’s tour, which I had to miss when the band passed through Austin earlier in the month. As I noted in our coverage of The Tontons’ show in Denver last week, photographing and watching bands in foreign spaces is exciting, sort of like the new love phase of a relationship.
Neumos, slightly large than Stubb’s indoors, slightly smaller than Mohawk outdoors, and with a more slick atmosphere than either, consists of an almost maze-like entry hallway that opens up into a large room with a balcony positioned above stage right. Like many medium-sized rock clubs, the venue’s lights remained pretty low, and the sound was solid but clearly under theater caliber. The venue did remain much quieter throughout the night than many Austin venues. Although, I’ve heard Stubb’s, Mohawk, and Red 7 all pin-drop quiet for shows in recent memory–Dana Falconberry, The Mountain Goats, and Damien Jurado. Sometimes it’s obvious that the band, their music, and their fans have much to do with a crowd’s vibe. Can any Austinites weigh in on the noise level at Wye Oak’s Parish show? I’m curious.
At Neumos on Tuesday night, they held the room’s absolute attention with their stoic yet commanding presence and their subtly powerful indie rock. The duo comprised of Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner makes for a simple, clean arrangement that is enhanced by both members’ dexterity. Using synths and effects to fill out the mix, the group creates balanced, tight songs that feel simultaneously airy and earthy while thriving on low-end frequencies. The sold out room pumping their fists and singing along were evidence of how much credibility this band has garnered over the last couple of years.
Shriek, their newest effort, has received positive praise, but it was still “Civilian,” the title track from their previous album, played during the encore, that gained the most enthusiastic audience response. The songs from Shriek contain more moody, murky riffs, with Wasner adopting bass (rather than guitar) as the primary instrument for crafting songs. Played live, these selections have a transfixing and penetrating effect and work especially well when balanced with the band’s previous slow-burning rock tunes.
Pattern Is Movement opened the night with a set of crooning electronic ballads. The group is one of a growing number in recent months who have blended restrained indie rock with groovy R&B sensibilities. The duo even through in a cover of a D’Angelo track. Check out photos of the night below.
All photos © Bryan Parker & Pop Press International; all rights reserved. Click any image to open in slideshow viewer.
