Best in Show…July 22

Delorean + Glasser @ Wrongbar July 14

It’s 11:15 and the room is buzzing. Rumors are swirling around Wrongbar like the ladies room in high school. A few angsty people armed with 3G technology take their frustrations out on Twitter. At one point I actually overhear “Who do Delorean think they are, Britney Spears?” A handful of people throw in the towel, muttering profanities as they make their exit. Others scamper off to the patio at The Rhino to pass the time. The rest who wait it out are completely unfazed and establish a relaxed, easygoing vibe. There are people dancing and enjoying the hospitality – free samples courtesy of the awesome new menu. Then, just like a fairytale, at the stroke of midnight Delorean arrives.

Vocalist and bass player Ekhi Lopetegi chatted with Pink Mafia about the “bullshit” they had to put up with at the boarder which caused the delay. “We had to convince them that Wrongbar was an actual place for a show. Our booking agent and promoter had to send a request to get us back in…we waited for 4 hours!”

Yet the waiting continued as label mates Glasser hit the stage first shortly after the midnight arrival. The collaborative efforts of Cameron Mesirow and Fever Ray’s production members The Subliminal Kid and Van Rivers (who despite the heat was wearing an amazing Harry Potter cloak) have combined electronic with the sugary sweetness of pop, minus all the suck. Mesirow has some serious chops. What she may have lacked in stage presence she more than compensated for with talent. Under normal circumstances this electro-pop outfit would have complimented Delorean perfectly, acting as a catalyst for the night’s energy. Unfortunately it was late and their set was under-appreciated as the attention-deficit audience’s chants of “Delorean” drown the sound.

At 1:30 the crowd is coaxing Delorean to the stage with an enthusiastic slow-clap. The room is instantly engorged by their raw, infectious beats. The mellow energy levels are now a distant memory and there isn’t a still body to be seen. With only a makeshift sound check they resort to sorting themselves out over the first few tracks, but by “Stay Close” they find their footing and sound flawless. To show their appreciate to the fans that stayed they come back for one awesomely sweaty encore.

Their unique brand of indie-house amalgamates rock and electro beats in perfect harmony which is often described as Balearic beats. Lopetegi laminates the fact that he “doesn’t even know what Balearic is!” He pauses for a swig of beer before continuing, “I know what people here think it is, but really they just say it for whatever style of house that is playing.” Call it what you will, just don’t call it chillwave. “Fuck chillwave! I don’t really think our music is for chilling.”

This distinct sound that has warranted an influx in media buzz is a result of a more structured and thought-out recording process over their camaraderie. This didn’t come to them naturally though; they’ve been honing their craft for the better part of a decade. Listening to Subiza, their latest and most defining work to date, you could close your eyes and be somewhere else entirely, unfamiliar yet intoxicating. This wasn’t an attempt to pay homage to the club scene in Ibiza though. Lopetegi insists the island wasn’t the alleged muse behind the album. “We joked that critics would say that. I’ve only been once to Ibiza and it was to the beach, not a club. I spent two days snorkeling!” Instead, Subiza, the country side north of Spain in a Basque town, was where the boys retreated to work on the album. Their maturity and growth as a band and appreciation of the entire composition process was the real inspiration. As Lopetegi explains “before it was just like jamming on a rehearsal stage and adding elements of electronic…eventually we began just sitting down and really working on songs. We spent 2 months at a friend’s studio and family home; we ate great food and played ping pong. Subiza was the only name that made sense for the time that we spent there with these people.”

So kids, like your momma always told you good things come to those who wait…even if it is a school night!

Words by Kate Masewich

Photos: Megs Mulder & Snack

Die Antwoord and Sleigh Bells @ Phoenix – July 20, 2010

I think Toronto offically got “Ninja”ed. Or Zef Fresh.  Whatever you want to call it.  I don’t believe I’ve ever seen the Phoenix so packed or so hyped for a show between two acts.  Twitter and Facebook were blowing up.  The lineup was reaching down the street.  Scalpers were outside selling tickets for between $80-$100 when tickets were originally $18.50.  But was the show all it was hyped up to be?  Well, it really depends on who you talk to, I guess.  Personally I’m going to have to say that I had a blast.  I moshed with a bunch of bros in the back and got a fat lip in the process. Sleigh Bells played a solid set of danceable tracks and if you didn’t come in as a fan, you definitely left one.

However, I think most people in the crowd were there to see Die Antwoord.  Yo Landi and Zef gave the crowd everything they had.  Zef playing up the “Enter the Ninja” video wearing Canadian Maple Leaf boxers and wiggling his dong all over the dang place.  They played tracks from their already released album “$0$” and upcoming EP through Interscope.  However, I’ve talked to some who said they found it boring.  Meh, to each their own I suppose.  Whatever the case may be, Sleigh Bells and Die Antwoord made their mark on Toronto.  They left their mark on me.

(fans)

Words: Ama Scriver

Photos: Vanessa Villanueva

Low Down and Dirty Pitchfork Music Festival Interview — WHY?

During Pitchfork I had the opportunity to sit down with Josiah Wolf from the band WHY? and I asked these six riveting questions to get the low down and dirty from him:

(1) WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT CHICAGO?
Josiah  – I think the summers in Chicago are great.  Chicago isn’t a very good winter city, that’s for sure.  NYC handles the winter much better.  But I definitely love the summers here.

(2) WHAT IS THE WEIRDEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED ON TOUR?
Josiah – Ha, it was actually while we were in Chicago last time.  It seemed like everyone on the road has some seriously epic road rage.  We had just gotten a new rental van.  We’re really conscious about keeping our vans well kept and smelling fresh.  Anyways, these dudes get into a fight with us on the road and minutes later we think we hear what are gunshots. Next thing you know, there is a bolt in our windshield. We can’t confirm that it was the road rage dudes from the road, but we have our suspicions.

(3) WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT PLAYING FESTIVALS, LIKE PITCHFORK?
Josiah – You get to play to a bigger audience and meet other bands that you’ve possibly been digging.  Make connections and network.  It’s really great from a band perspective.

(4) ARE THERE ANY CURRENT BANDS THAT YOU ARE DIGGING RIGHT NOW AND WOULD RECOMMEND FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTO WHY?
Josiah – I’ve been really into Deerhoof, Dark Dark Dark, The Donkeys and AU.

(5) SINCE PINK MAFIA IS CANADIAN, IS THERE A FAVOURITE PIECE OF CANADIANA THAT YOU HAVE?
Josiah – Canada is a very mysterious place.  I’m really into Kids in the Hall. I think Neil Young is an unsung hero.  I used to be really into Rush way back in the day.

(6) FINALLY, IF YOU HAD TO CONVINCE PEOPLE WHY THEY SHOULD LISTEN TO WHY? WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?
Josiah – I think we have a fresh sound. I’ve heard from our merch guy that people get from our songs that it helps them through tough times and that they can really take something from the songs.  It’s something you can sing along to but overall, just enjoy.

Words by Ama Scriver

Low Down and Dirty Pitchfork Music Festival Interview — Netherfriends

During Pitchfork I had the opportunity to sit down with Shawn Rosenblatt from the band Netherfriends and I asked these six riveting questions to get the low down and dirty from him:

(1) WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT CHICAGO?
Shawn  – I love biking around the city.  The food in this city is great, especially the pizza.  But it’s expensive in Chicago.

(2) WHAT IS THE WEIRDEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED ON TOUR?
Shawn – Running out of gas in our tour van in Mobile, Alabama.  The middle of nowhere.  Drunk off our asses.  We tried to call the police to come and pick us come because we were 2.5 miles away from a gas station, but we ended up having to walk.  It was lame.  But of more recent, we played at a Loft Party in Chicago last night (during Pitchfork) where the owners were selling drugs and didn’t have any drink tickets.  It was a really weird vibe.

(3) WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT PLAYING FESTIVALS, LIKE PITCHFORK?
Shawn – Getting to play in front of such a large crowd and getting to see as many bands as I like for free.

(4) ARE THERE ANY CURRENT BANDS THAT YOU ARE DIGGING RIGHT NOW AND WOULD RECOMMEND FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTO WHY?
Shawn – esOterica and Tabioca

(5) SINCE PINK MAFIA IS CANADIAN, IS THERE A FAVOURITE PIECE OF CANADIANA THAT YOU HAVE?
Shawn – I had family that lived in Quebec City, Montreal when I was growing up. There was this spring water lake they would bring me to and it reminds me so much of my childhood.  That is Canadian to me.

(6) FINALLY, IF YOU HAD TO CONVINCE PEOPLE WHY THEY SHOULD LISTEN TO NETHERFRIENDS WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?
Shawn – I would have to say the dynamics of Netherfriends is a huge factor. It’s always interesting to listen to something that love created.  For example, I’ve recording 22 songs in 22 states and I’m trying to release them as quickly as possible.  Either 50 limited copy vinyl presses or put them onto cassette tapes.

Words by Ama Scriver