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Last Sunday I went to Nectar Lounge for a concert billed as "Halou presents Stripmall Architecture". I know Halou pretty well but didn't know what this Stripmall Architecture business was about, though I was sure I was in for an interesting time. Also on the bill were The Fading Collection and a band new to me, Obelus.
Obelus played an interesting set of music blending soul and jazz stylings with experimental rock and electronica. The vocalist/guitarist/drummer trio was joined by an additional keyboardist for the first and last couple songs. The singer had a good voice, strong in the loud parts and slightly breathy in the quieter parts, adding to the jazzy/lounge/cabaret feel of some songs. Other songs sounded more experimental; one for example was comprised mostly of sampled bicycle sounds. They ended with the singer stepping offstage while the other three played a very groovy and fun an instrumental. I enjoyed their set and will be looking for them at other shows in the future.
The Fading Collection renewed my faith in them at this show. As I've noted in past reviews, although I love their albums I've found their live performances to be lacking something vital. However, this time they finally sounded fully on to me, giving a solid performance that extended their enthusiasm to the audience. I've also written about the goth/metal tinge some of their music carries, but this time I was struck by the rock-opera quality it has as well—not as bombastic as Jim Steinman and Meatloaf, but definitely heavy on the dramatics. That's due in part to the amazingly strong voice of lead singer Sarah McCulloch and her more-than-capable backup singer Tavia Wormstedt. The band played a few new songs from an upcoming EP and a pair of full-length albums to follow, and they sounded good. They also did a cool cover of "I Am the Walrus", as well as a mix of songs from their first two albums. Although I still felt that they fall a touch short of overwhelming at least for me, I did find this to be the tight and exciting set that I've been hoping for since I first saw them and now I feel enthusiastic again about their future shows.
I found out by talking to lead singer Rebecca Cosebloom after the show that Stripmall Architecture is the band name she and her husband, multi-instrumentalist Ryan Cosebloom, use when performing without Halou's drummer Count. For this show they appeared as a sextet, including Tim Hingston on guitar, Greg Kehret on bass, Patrick Harte on drums, and Erica Mulkey on cello and backing vocals. Although their site describes Stripmall Architecture as being focused on experimentation in a live setting, I did not find this performance much different than the last time I saw Halou—but that still meant it was a great show. They played a mix of old and new music; I had forgotten that Halou released a new album earlier this year, so I don't know how much of the new music came out of the Stripmall Architecture project. One song new to me featured Ryan playing syncopated manual typewriter, so I'd guess that was a Stripmall Architecture piece; another possible S.A. one had him playing glockenspiel. Being a violinist myself, I took particular note of Erica's cello playing and found it gorgeous, adding a lovely tone to the music. Rebecca also sounded wonderful, and as the focal point of the band was much fun to watch: dressed in a stylish '40s outfit, she hardly said more than "thank you" to the audience but her expressive face and huge smiles showed her delight in performing. Whether as Stripmall Architecture or as Halou, this is a band always worth seeing live, and I'm looking forward to further developments from both projects.
Obelus had dim moody lighting, so I only got a pair of so-so photos of them, but The Fading Collection used some bright lighting and Stripmall Architecture mostly kept the stage well-lit, so I got some really good photos for both those bands—The Fading Collection photos start here, and Stripmall Architecture photos start here.
Next week is a busy week! My Brightest Diamond are at the Triple Door on Wednesday Nov. 19, and I will be there after all, as a volunteer manning the KEXP table. I'm looking forward to Yeasayer at Neumos on the next night (Thurs Nov. 20), and as I keep raving Annuals are opening for Minus the Bear at the Showbox at the Market on Saturday Nov. 22. I should also have a better idea next week about December shows, besides of course Hotels playing the Comet Tavern on Sunday December 7.
Obelus played an interesting set of music blending soul and jazz stylings with experimental rock and electronica. The vocalist/guitarist/drummer trio was joined by an additional keyboardist for the first and last couple songs. The singer had a good voice, strong in the loud parts and slightly breathy in the quieter parts, adding to the jazzy/lounge/cabaret feel of some songs. Other songs sounded more experimental; one for example was comprised mostly of sampled bicycle sounds. They ended with the singer stepping offstage while the other three played a very groovy and fun an instrumental. I enjoyed their set and will be looking for them at other shows in the future.
The Fading Collection renewed my faith in them at this show. As I've noted in past reviews, although I love their albums I've found their live performances to be lacking something vital. However, this time they finally sounded fully on to me, giving a solid performance that extended their enthusiasm to the audience. I've also written about the goth/metal tinge some of their music carries, but this time I was struck by the rock-opera quality it has as well—not as bombastic as Jim Steinman and Meatloaf, but definitely heavy on the dramatics. That's due in part to the amazingly strong voice of lead singer Sarah McCulloch and her more-than-capable backup singer Tavia Wormstedt. The band played a few new songs from an upcoming EP and a pair of full-length albums to follow, and they sounded good. They also did a cool cover of "I Am the Walrus", as well as a mix of songs from their first two albums. Although I still felt that they fall a touch short of overwhelming at least for me, I did find this to be the tight and exciting set that I've been hoping for since I first saw them and now I feel enthusiastic again about their future shows.
I found out by talking to lead singer Rebecca Cosebloom after the show that Stripmall Architecture is the band name she and her husband, multi-instrumentalist Ryan Cosebloom, use when performing without Halou's drummer Count. For this show they appeared as a sextet, including Tim Hingston on guitar, Greg Kehret on bass, Patrick Harte on drums, and Erica Mulkey on cello and backing vocals. Although their site describes Stripmall Architecture as being focused on experimentation in a live setting, I did not find this performance much different than the last time I saw Halou—but that still meant it was a great show. They played a mix of old and new music; I had forgotten that Halou released a new album earlier this year, so I don't know how much of the new music came out of the Stripmall Architecture project. One song new to me featured Ryan playing syncopated manual typewriter, so I'd guess that was a Stripmall Architecture piece; another possible S.A. one had him playing glockenspiel. Being a violinist myself, I took particular note of Erica's cello playing and found it gorgeous, adding a lovely tone to the music. Rebecca also sounded wonderful, and as the focal point of the band was much fun to watch: dressed in a stylish '40s outfit, she hardly said more than "thank you" to the audience but her expressive face and huge smiles showed her delight in performing. Whether as Stripmall Architecture or as Halou, this is a band always worth seeing live, and I'm looking forward to further developments from both projects.
Obelus had dim moody lighting, so I only got a pair of so-so photos of them, but The Fading Collection used some bright lighting and Stripmall Architecture mostly kept the stage well-lit, so I got some really good photos for both those bands—The Fading Collection photos start here, and Stripmall Architecture photos start here.
Next week is a busy week! My Brightest Diamond are at the Triple Door on Wednesday Nov. 19, and I will be there after all, as a volunteer manning the KEXP table. I'm looking forward to Yeasayer at Neumos on the next night (Thurs Nov. 20), and as I keep raving Annuals are opening for Minus the Bear at the Showbox at the Market on Saturday Nov. 22. I should also have a better idea next week about December shows, besides of course Hotels playing the Comet Tavern on Sunday December 7.
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