Pictures from Dese'Rae L. Stage. My camera's batteries died.
This is very delayed, I apologize. I've been pretty sick/sleep-deprived this week. If you haven't heard by now, She & Him is Zooey Deschanel (Remember she sang "Baby It's Cold Outside" in Elf?) and M Ward. I loved loved loved Zooey in Elf, so her album was highly anticipated one for me. For whatever reason, I thought Volume One would sound jazzier, like Zooey's rendition of "Baby It's Cold Outside." Instead, Volume One is really pop-y and very safe. Yes, most of the songs are pleasant-sounding because they utilize chord progressions that you can't help but like. But, on the whole, the album lacks some serious depth.
I arrived nearly an hour early for this show at NYU Skirball Center, there was an unbelievably long line. The duo was scheduled for two performances at Hiro Ballroom earlier that week. Due to illness, the first show was canceled, and the second one was moved to Webster Hall to accommodate tickets from both shows. I guess all the hype surrounding She & Him caught up with the NYU students.
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down opened, and they were awesome, as usual (Thao seriously has the most awesome commentary). By the time She & Him hit the stage, Skirball was pretty packed. I'm not sure if Zooey was still dealing with sickness, but she was really quiet on stage. There were a lot of awkward silences in between songs...as in, she would just stare at us and not say anything. For being sick, she didn't sound bad at all. I have to admit that Zooey is super adorable when she plays the tambourine and plucks out notes on the piano. Onstage, M Ward and Zooey Deschanel pretty much remind me of Johnny Cash and June. I've read this comparison somewhere else online, and I totally agree.
On the whole, I wasn't very engaged by the performance. I may have been more excited if I had seen them in a much smaller venue. Yo La Tengo made a surprise appearance for the encore. Not surprising since they backed up She & Him on Conan the other day...
Zooey sounded much sicker here.
Setlist
Black Hole
Change is Hard
I Was Made for You
You Really Got a Hold On Me
Take It Back
Got Me
Dusty
I Thought I Saw Your Face
Magic Trick
This is Not a Test
Sweet Darlin'
Bring It On Home
Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?
Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? - She & Him
This Is Not a Test - She & Him
April 27, 2008
She & Him - NYU 04.23.08
March 23, 2008
Thao with The Get Down Stay Down - Sound Fix Records 03.23.08
Blogged about Thao back in February. I was lucky enough to catch Thao with The Get Down Stay Down at Sound Fix Records in Williamsburg. And, it was free (donations welcome)! Thao filled this cozy venue on a sunny Easter afternoon, with most people sitting at small tables or large, pew-like booths. And, yes, Thao commented on the appropriateness of the pews on this particular day.
I was surprised by how much energy this hand-clapping, feet-stomping folk band had on a (holy) Sunday afternoon. Of course, the beer and wine probably helped. Also, surprisingly, Thao had some great commentary between songs. For one, the crowd and the venue reminded her of RENT; she expected us to break out in "La Vie Boheme" at any second. Before performing "Bag of Hammers" (I think), she told us that if we wanted to break out in choreographed dance, this song would be the one for it. The best story was about a recent show they played at a college. Apparently, the venue was a student-run, converted garage-stage. And by garage-stage, she meant that the cars were taking out of the garage. Anyway, while they were playing "Swimming Pools," some girls in the front took off their shirts and were dancing like they were in Cancun. The irony is that the song is about the exact opposite of that.
Thao with The Get Down Stay Down played the Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight. They are currently on tour with Xiu Xiu.
***At the request of Thao's record label, Kill Rock Stars, I've taken down the posted songs. Instead, I've put up some songs from Thao's Daytrotter session. Check out Thao's myspace and my past post for more music.
Fear and Convenience (Daytrotter) - Thao with The Get Down Stay Down
Big Kid Table (Daytrotter) - Thao with The Get Down Stay Down
February 11, 2008
Thao with The Get Down Stay Down
For whatever reason, I am not really a fan of female artists/vocalists, with the exception of Cat Power. So, I was skeptical when
a friend (Thanks, David!) introduced me to We Brave Bee Stings and All, the latest Thao album. However, I trust my friend's tastes in music so I checked out their myspace. And now, I am completely hooked.
A singer/songwriter from Virginia, Thao Nguyen is backed by The Get Down Stay Down, a 3-piece band. Maybe it's because they're not from Brooklyn, but Thao with The Get Down Stay Down is surprisingly refreshing. The Midwestern girl in me cannot resist the charm of the banjo. Some of the songs off We Brave Bee Stings and All are a little too poppy for my tastes (i.e. "Bag of Hammers"), but "Swimming Pools" is definitely the highlight of the album. Can you ever have too much banjo? No, you can't, and that's why I love that song.
Thao with The Get Down Stay Down is currently on tour in the U.S. Check out the dates here. If I had known about them a week earlier, I could have seen them at the Knitting Factory. But, alas, I missed them. Thankfully, they're coming back on March 23 (Music Hall of Williamsburg).
So after saying I didn't really like female artists/vocalists and that Feist is completely overrated, I stumbled upon this pleasant surprise. Just enough to change my mind about female artists...but not about Feist.
***At the request of Thao's record label, Kill Rock Stars, I've taken down the posted songs. Instead, I've put up some songs from Thao's Daytrotter session. Check out Thao's myspace and my most recent post on Thao for more music.
Geography (Daytrotter) - Thao with The Get Down Stay Down
Feet Asleep (Daytrotter) - Thao with The Get Down Stay Down
