Borrisokane weaves mutli-textured pop music, employing an unexpected blend of guitars electric and acoustic and sounds synthetic and organic. Though many of the bands with which Pop Press International has fallen in love (pretty much all the openers: Tiger Waves, Letting Up Despite Great Faults, and Black Books) seem to run in a similar crowd of bands, we were somehow in the dark on Borrisokane until recently. Not only can Borrisokane put together a stellar bill, but their own live show is an eventful and theatrical barrage of sound emanating from a rich cast of characters.
The night’s most outrageous moments included an epic cover of “Be My Baby,” featuring 8 drummers, 6 singers, 3 guitars, 2 horns, 1 vocoder, several guitars and a bassist (according to the group’s Facebook page) as well as an appearance by rapper Pojo the Idealist who spit rhymes over electronic beats laid down by the cast of Borrisokane. However, even when the group is whittled down to their standard lineup of five, they create full and rich pop that wavers between introspective moods and upbeat indie rock as on EP highlight “Thank You For Being So Nice and Cooperative.” The quirky chorus of voices and skittering organs and drums behind baritone vocals make an uncanny but undeniably delightful mix.
Not only did Borrisokane pull out all the musical stops for the evening, they also created fun ways for attendees to engage with the spirit of festivities such as providing masks garnished with lines matching their trademark face paint. Formal attire was encouraged preceding the event and many concertgoers were donned in suits and formal dresses, making the occasion feel celebratory and festive.
Despite the fact that the primary purpose of the night seemed to be Borrisokane’s EP release (which you can purchase here), Black Books actually headlined as the event functioned as a tour kickoff for dates overseas that will include music festivals and performances with The Flaming Lips. Before these co-headliners, Letting Up Despite Great Faults navigated a set of delicate, dreamy electro-pop and Tiger Waves provided songs full of hazy indie-rock. Almost any time we cover a hometown show, it’s easy to believe that Austin may have the best local bands in the nation.
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