Arthur Beatrice – A Concert Review

     Bottom Line Concert Review – Arthur Beatrice “tightly” performs a strong setlist with an attention-demanding stage presence. What more can be added?

          There is always some concern when the trip to a concert is made with high expectations. Can the band meet those expectations? Is it fair to the band to think they might/should? Well, four of us made the trip to San Francisco to see Arthur Beatrice at The Chapel. Afterward, we were in agreement that Arthur Beatrice did not disappoint. The band delivered and the sound system at The Chapel was at its best (it’s a beautiful venue, but the high ceilings make sound mixing troublesome).

     Yes, the expectations were high. The song “Grand Union” was at the top of the list of this blog’s “Best Songs of 2013.” Digging a little deeper, “Grand Union” includes our favorite song feature of 2013, wherein

a.) after an attractive instrumental portion of the song (from the 2:11 mark to the 3:19 mark),

b.) multiple band members jump in with an increased energy harmonization (3:20),

c.) that is soon led by the guitar into a five-second energy swell (3:30),

d.) before the instruments and vocals just as quickly downshift (3:36).

      Someday, we’ll be able to listen to the song without halting all other activity in anticipation of the song structure that starts at the 3:20 mark, but that day won’t be soon. That was an accurate statement even before witnessing Arthur Beatrice “nail it” in concert, but the eventuality was pushed back in time by last night’s performance.

     Importantly, the appreciation for the performance at The Chapel did not hinge upon “Grand Union.” Arthur Beatrice had the concert attendees in their pocket long before they finished the setlist with “Grand Union.” They played most of the songs that are on their debut album “Working Out,” which was released this week. Each song was performed with a tightness and precision that would indicate a band with worldwide touring experience. In reality, this is the first U.S. tour for Arthur Beatrice. Stay awake Austin and SXSW, they are headed your way after a short stay in Los Angeles.

      The members of the band are Orlando Leopard (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, organ), Ella Girardot (lead vocals, keyboards, organ) and brothers Elliot (drums, backing vocals) and Hamish Barnes (bass, backing vocals). In addition to “Grand Union” and the sometimes sultry dancing of Ella (see the embedded video below), we particularly enjoyed “Carter” and “Midland.”

     “Grand Union” by Arthur Beatrice

     “Carter” by Arthur Beatrice

     “Midland” by Arthur Beatrice

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/arthurbeatrice

Website: http://online-presence.info/
     “Singles” by Arthur Beatrice, recorded at The Chapel by someone else who attended (thank you Mr. Green).

      There’s Talk was the opening band. They are a San Francisco trio with music that fits within the Indie Ambient genre, which is not within our “wheelhouse.” So, our high level of appreciation for the performance came as a surprise to each of us. The members of There’s Talk are Olivia Lee (vocals, synths, electronics), Kellen Balla (electronics, guitar, vocals), and Young Lee (guitar, vocals). Interestingly, in listening to the Soundcloud offerings of the band, we would not have concluded that their live sound is “Ambient.”

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheresTalk

Website: http://www.therestalk.com/

 

Hunter & the Bear – A Band Review

     A few months back, the song “Forest on the Hill” was introduced to Indie Obsessive. It’s a song we enjoyed from the first listen. Too often, an instant appreciation is soon followed by indifference, since there aren’t musical features that foster a long term appreciation. “Forest on the Hill” is an exception. In fact, we sometimes go to the Soundcloud page of the band (Hunter & the Bear) and let their four songs loop. Our favorite of the four hasn’t changed, but the others are closing, particularly “Dusty Road.”

     Hunter & the Bear is about three-part harmonization, acoustic guitar and energy. The members are Jimmy Hunter (vocals, guitar and mandolin), Will Irvine (vocals, rhythm guitar and kick drum) and Josh Abdelfatah (vocals, bass and harmonica), but there are others who contribute to the band’s sound. In particular, the song “The North” would have a very different texture if not for the violin (or violins).  

     If we were to pin a genre designation on Hunter & the Bear, it would be Folk. However, there is a Rock element within their music. If we were to pin a preferred song structure to their sound, it would be “A, B, A, B,” where “A” is a segment that is vocalization-heavy with acoustic accompaniment and where “B” is a segment that is energy-filled. “Dusty Road” has this “A, B, A, B” song structure.

      “Forest on the Hill” by Hunter & the Bear

      “Dusty Road” by Hunter & the Bear

      “The North” by Hunter & the Bear

      “Taliesin” by Hunter & the Bear

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HunterAndTheBear

Website: http://www.hunterandthebear.co.uk/

SXSW – The Excitement Is Upon Us

     What? 100 free songs?

     The best two months for music discovery are December and March. In December, there are numerous “best songs of the year” lists. Many of the lists include under-the-radar songs that you may have missed or may not have fully appreciated. In March, there is the SXSW push by thousands of bands hoping to take advantage of the excitement in Austin, Texas.

     Each year, the Indie-knowledgeable folks at NPR help those of us trying to drink from the fire hose known as SXSW. One contribution from NPR is its presentation of a downloadable collection of at least 100 songs offered by bands attending SXSW. Not all of the bands destined for Austin offer a song and the bands that do participate don’t necessarily offer their “top” songs, so the download is not intended to be a true representation of the best of SXSW.

     The NPR Austin 100 is available for only 30 days. The songs can be downloaded individually or in bulk. The NPR site is http://www.npr.org/2014/02/28/283974226/the-austin-100-a-sxsw-2014-mix. Below is the entire list of songs and a subset of embedded tracks, with the selection being based on our tastes and Soundcloud availability (which turned out to be a significant limitation). 

      "Leave the Door Open" by No

      "Waves" by Sleeper Agent

      "Back to You" by Twin Forks

      "Uppercutter" by Saintseneca

      "Ghost" by Jeremy Messersmith

      "Hey Rose" by Streets of Laredo

The full list of 100 songs (with some emphasis on songs): 

1   1.          Against Me!, "Black Me Out"

2.         Ages And Ages, "Divisionary (Do The Right Thing)"

3.         Agnes Obel, "The Curse"

4.         AJ Davila, "Animal"

5.         Ana Tijoux, "Vengo"

6.         Anamanaguchi, "Endless Fantasy"

7.         Angel Olsen, "Hi-Five"

8.         Archie Powell & The Exports, "Only So Much You Can Do"

9.         Banks, "Warm Water [Prod. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs]"

10.       Black Atlass, "Blossom"

11.       Black Milk, "Sunday's Best"

12.       Brass Bed, "Cold Chicory"

13.       The Can't Tells, "No Television"

14.       Cate Le Bon, "Are You With Me Now?"

15.       clipping., "bout.that (feat. baseck)"

16.       Cloud Nothings, "I'm Not Part Of Me"

17.       Demitasse, "Comfy Coffins"

18.       Diane Coffee, "Green”

19.       Driver Friendly, "Messidona"

20.       Dum Dum Girls, "Are You OK?"

21.       Eagulls, "Possessed"

22.       EMA, "Satellites"

23.       Empires, "How Good Does It Feel"

24.       Eternal Summers, "Gouge"

25.       Ex Hex, "Hot And Cold"

26.       Fat Tony, "Hood Party (Feat. Kool A.D. & Despot)"

27.       Football, Etc., "Goal”

28.       The Front Bottoms, "Twin Size Mattress" [MP3]

29.       GEMS, "Medusa"

30.       Golden Youth, "We Are Alive"

31.       Grace Weber, "Perfect Stranger"

32.       Ha Ha Tonka, "Colorful Kids"

33.       Haley Bonar, "Last War"

34.       Hundred Waters, "Down From The Rafters”

35.       Hurray For The Riff Raff, "The Body Electric"

36.       Imarhan Timbuktu, "Akar Warled"

37.       Jagwar Ma, "Uncertainty"

38.       Jambinai, "Time Of Extinction"

39.       Jeremiah Jae, "Survival (feat. Oliver The 2nd)"

40.       Jeremy Messersmith, "Ghost"

41.       Jess Williamson, "Blood Song”

42.       The Jones Family Singers, "Down On Me"

43.       Jungle, "Lucky I Got What I Want"

44.       Kelela, "The High [Prod. Gifted & Blessed]"

45.       Kelis, "Jerk Ribs"

46.       Kevin Gates, "Get Up On My Level"

47.       Laura Cantrell, "All The Girls Are Complicated"

48.       Laura Stevenson, "L-Dopa"

49.       Lydia Loveless, "Really Wanna See You"

50.       Michaela Anne, "Lift Me Up"

51.       Mimicking Birds, "Bloodlines"

52.       Mirah, "Oxen Hope"

53.       Moon Hooch, "Number 9"

54.       Mutual Benefit, "Advanced Falconry"

55.       Natalia Clavier, "Adios! (feat. The Echocentrics)"

56.       NO, "Leave The Door Wide Open"

57.       Nothing, "Get Well"

58.       The Pack A.D., "Animal"

59.       Paper Holland, "Happy Belated"

60.       Perfect Pussy, "Driver"

61.       Phox, "Espeon"

62.       Piñata Protest, "Life On The Border"

63.       Potty Mouth, "Sleep Talk"

64.       Public Service Broadcasting, "Everest"

65.       Quiet Kids, "The War"

66.       Quilt, "Tired & Buttered"

67.       Rathborne, "Last Forgiven"

68.       Robert Ellis, "Only Lies"

69.       Royal Teeth, "Wild"

70.       Ryley Walker, "The West Wind"

71.       St. Paul & The Broken Bones, "Call Me"

72.       Saint Rich, "Crying From The Home"

73.       Saintseneca, "Uppercutter"

74.       Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta, "Mambo Mexicano"

75.       Seryn, "Ivory Black"

76.       Silver Snakes, "Four Crows"

77.       Sleeper Agent, "Waves"

78.       The So So Glos, "Lost Weekend”

79.       Speedy Ortiz, "Everything's Bigger"

80.       Stagbriar, "The S.S. Here We Go"

81.       Steve Gunn, "Water Wheel"

82.       Streets Of Laredo, "Hey Rose"

83.       SW/MM/NG, "Younger"

84.       Sylvan Esso, "Hey Mami"

85.       Thumpers, "Unkinder (A Tougher Love)"

86.       Timber Timbre, "Hot Dreams"

87.       Tom Brosseau, "Today Is A Bright New Day"

88.       Tony Molina, "Change My Ways"

89.       Torres, "Honey"

90.       Trust, "Rescue, Mister"

91.       Twin Forks, "Back To You"

92.       Until The Ribbon Breaks, "Perspective (feat. Homeboy Sandman)"

93.       Vertical Scratchers, "These Plains"

94.       Vince Staples, "Nate [Prod. Scoop DeVille]"

95.       Warpaint, "Love Is To Die"

96.       Windhand, "Orchard"

97.       The Wytches, "Gravedweller"

98.       Yautja, "Blinders"

99.       Yellow Ostrich, "Neon Fists"

100.     Your Friend, “Tame One”

Repeating - The NPR site is http://www.npr.org/2014/02/28/283974226/the-austin-100-a-sxsw-2014-mix.