Bejar
This entry is out of order since I have my Wednesday, Thursday, and most of Friday's notes to blog about, but the 1am show at The Parish tonight is one that I must write about now or I won't be able to sleep.
I didn't have a plan tonight, and I ended up striking out at almost all the shows I went to. However, I did note that Destroyer was playing at The Parish at 1am and told myself I must see it. I knew I would be emotionally conflicted. While Dan Bejar is a member of my favorite band The New Pornographers, he sings my least favorite songs on their albums. It is mostly his voice and vocal style which bother me. His voice is quite grating and his style doesn't maintain a steady pitch. Instead, it falls in pitch at the same time it falls in volume. I am conflicted because the songs that he writes (which I assume are the same ones he sings) are constructed well, and are getting better with every new album. I had to give his other band "Destroyer" (of which he is the lead singer of) a chance.
Miraculously, I managed to show up early, but that didn't benefit me at all. Twice he came on stage and intently stared at the keyboard and keyboard player, then left the stage. The third time he came on stage he put his guitar on, then after conferring with the keyboard player, took it off and went backstage for another three minutes. By this time they were over five minutes late.
If there is one rule for bands to know before coming to SXSW, it's that you need to start on time and end on time. Yeah we understand your little problems that are not necessarily your fault, but when you don't follow the schedule you are pissing off everyone that is coming from the other 99 bars in town to see your show or the next one. Just because you start late doesn't mean you can end late, so you better be prepared to start on time even if things aren't quite right. That includes problems with the keyboard--your least essential instrument! (This opionion comes from a keyboard player BTW)
The first couple songs were good, and I had almost forgiven their lateness. But then--Dan complains about his guitar being out of tune and leaves the stage for another 5+ minutes. That was it for me, I left. I can tell when a guitar is unbearably out of tune, and his really wasn't. I may have eventually noticed at some point that his guitar was a little out of tune but most of the audience would have no clue. The delay drove me out, as well as at least 5 others. This situation reminded me of the first New Pornographers show I saw at ACL a few years ago where Neko was complaining out loud about this and that. What is it with these Canadians, does everything have to be perfect, are they perfectionists like me but can't hide it? Think of your audience reaction guys. If you pretend to be happy to be here, we will be happy to see you.
So I didn't really like Bejar when I got to The Parish, but I wanted to give him a chance. I have slowly warmed up to his music, and I was hoping the show would make me like him more. Even after the bad experience tonight I still want to like his music, but it's not getting any easier. Blah.
I didn't have a plan tonight, and I ended up striking out at almost all the shows I went to. However, I did note that Destroyer was playing at The Parish at 1am and told myself I must see it. I knew I would be emotionally conflicted. While Dan Bejar is a member of my favorite band The New Pornographers, he sings my least favorite songs on their albums. It is mostly his voice and vocal style which bother me. His voice is quite grating and his style doesn't maintain a steady pitch. Instead, it falls in pitch at the same time it falls in volume. I am conflicted because the songs that he writes (which I assume are the same ones he sings) are constructed well, and are getting better with every new album. I had to give his other band "Destroyer" (of which he is the lead singer of) a chance.
Miraculously, I managed to show up early, but that didn't benefit me at all. Twice he came on stage and intently stared at the keyboard and keyboard player, then left the stage. The third time he came on stage he put his guitar on, then after conferring with the keyboard player, took it off and went backstage for another three minutes. By this time they were over five minutes late.
If there is one rule for bands to know before coming to SXSW, it's that you need to start on time and end on time. Yeah we understand your little problems that are not necessarily your fault, but when you don't follow the schedule you are pissing off everyone that is coming from the other 99 bars in town to see your show or the next one. Just because you start late doesn't mean you can end late, so you better be prepared to start on time even if things aren't quite right. That includes problems with the keyboard--your least essential instrument! (This opionion comes from a keyboard player BTW)
The first couple songs were good, and I had almost forgiven their lateness. But then--Dan complains about his guitar being out of tune and leaves the stage for another 5+ minutes. That was it for me, I left. I can tell when a guitar is unbearably out of tune, and his really wasn't. I may have eventually noticed at some point that his guitar was a little out of tune but most of the audience would have no clue. The delay drove me out, as well as at least 5 others. This situation reminded me of the first New Pornographers show I saw at ACL a few years ago where Neko was complaining out loud about this and that. What is it with these Canadians, does everything have to be perfect, are they perfectionists like me but can't hide it? Think of your audience reaction guys. If you pretend to be happy to be here, we will be happy to see you.
So I didn't really like Bejar when I got to The Parish, but I wanted to give him a chance. I have slowly warmed up to his music, and I was hoping the show would make me like him more. Even after the bad experience tonight I still want to like his music, but it's not getting any easier. Blah.
Labels: music
posted by PlaysByEar at 2:42 AM
1 Comments:
Bejar's an Axl wannabe?
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