Photo by Olivia Vale
Buzzing synths and a curtain of feedback introduced Seattle Washington’s Iska Dhaff at Mohawk on Thursday night. The duo, comprised of singer/guitarist Nathan Quiroga and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Benjamin Verdoes, launched into a set stuffed with melodic, spindling guitar/drum interplay. Quiroga yelped through lyrics equal parts political and romantic (“god save us/from those who would kill for you”), while Verdoes simultaneously maintained a synthesized low-end while speeding through tight, minimal dance grooves.
Photo by Olivia Vale
Strongest at their noisiest, and weakest at their most sentimental, the duo made it through the night on an alternating scale of loud and soft. Breakout single “Everybody Knows” was obviously the crowd-favorite, even at the breakneck speed it was performed (at 3 minutes, it dwarfed the 4 and a half minute digital version). Dancers in the back and front brought smiles to both band members faces, as they locked eyes for the instrumental tundra that climaxes the track. Given their technical proficiency and apparent mutual appreciation of one another, Iska Dhaff impressed most by never losing track of their musical counterparts. The songwriting, though prone to repeated motifs and consequential (though only occasional) mundanity, successfully displayed the skill and craft-awareness of the two Washingtonians. With plenty of road to travel back to Seattle, I’m sure the boys will only impress more and more the tighter their dark, self-aware brand of indie-rock becomes.
