There was a wonderful group show set at the iconic sprawling bar and backroom venue Union Pool in Williamsburg that brought out many of the best local bands known to the Brooklyn scene. The spectacle started off with Easy Lover, who have returned to performing after a lengthy hiatus revealing a smoothly atmospheric synth-pop style with an air of ethereal trance and even a surprise finger-snapping swing of 50’s/60’s soul. The duo of the barefoot diva, vocalist, and keyboardist Kali Holloway and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Wimmer has now expanded sweetly with an extensive lineup and some new tunes. After that was another synthy-poppy Brooklyn quartet named Little Hustle who undeniably displayed a different electroclash-like edge. Singer Rebecca Keith bristles with a second wave riot grrrl charge spirit of the likes of Wild Flag, Le Tigre, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. This group has also expanded from a duo core, this one’s right hand man being guitarist Eli Jacobowitz, and had until late last year been known by the name Butchers & Bakers, but they have already really seemed to evolve nicely into a strong psych and classic indie rock mélange.
Scam Avenue was up next, and this group took the synthy female-fronted genre-mashing and upped the adrenaline, beats, and psychedelics to level 10. Set against a mind-bending light show projected on the stage and band throughout, frontwoman Devery Doleman swooned the crowd with a dark, dreamy, and deeply hypnotic potion. This group is based on a core trio of Devery (who was celebrating her birthday this night), Tara Chacón (backing vocals and synth), and Lawrence Kim (backing vocals and guitar), and was also joined by a solid propellant rhythm section of drummer Nate Smith and bassist Julie Rozansky-Reynolds. Together, they weave this gorgeously artsy electro-pop brew with classic tastes of New Order, Human League, Brian Eno, Nico, Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, and many more that blissfully linger on the tongue for a long, long time. They have just completed a new EP and plan to release it very soon, so you had best keep your appetites ready for some flavor.
Setting itself in deep contrast to all the other acts of the night was the duo of D’NT who came crashing through within a wall of sonic feedback, crashing drum cymbals, and straight-up raw rock n’ roll injected straight into the eyeball. You may know these separate haves of the roaring whole from other widely praised projects; singer and guitarist Aaron Lazar is probably still best known for his raw and wild NYC post-punk outfit Giraffes, and drummer Mitchell King is still recognized for being in the group Beat The Devil (or even his amazing photography), but there’s no denying that this is a different demonic creature altogether. On a stage only lit by one gloriously glowing drum kit, this band cried and howled with volcanic passion, and yet, still found moments for a groovy shuffle and funky sidestep. I guess it should be no big surprise that their debut album that is due out soon is being produced & mixed by Jon Spencer, so you should put in some ear canal protection now or forever hear a ringing of regret.
Article: Dean Keim