MusicNOW 2008 Night 3: Fest Gets More "Traditional" (Relatively)

Friday marked the first appearance of a group with the traditional bass-drums-guitar on the MusicNOW stage, but the Dirty Projectors’ sound is far from conventional. Dave Longstreth’s angular guitar and Brian McOmber’s tough and subtle drums are cleverly countered by the angelic harmony vocals of Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian, making for a strangely delicious sound that was both pointy and soft. Both girls were under the weather, frequently crouching to grab a Kleenex in between numbers. Longstreth expressed the band’s gratitude to the ever-helpful Dessner family members, in this case Bryce’s aunt and uncle, doctors who tended to the ailing girls.

Friday was the third night in a row I didn’t carry enough cash on me to pick up a CD or two by the artists performing at the festival. As of this writing I have already remedied the err of my ways by stopping by Shake It to pick up Dirty Projectors' latest CD.

Again I spotted performers from previous nights milling about in the crowd, including Sufjan Stevens and his ever-present tripod setting up just a few feet from our seats in the balcony. Seizing the opportunity to accost Aussie composer Padma Newsome, I found him to be cordial and quite willing to expound on the many virtues of the festival and the other performers. He elucidated on the achievements of Bill Frisell’s work with the trio of stringed instruments so fondly and so eloquently that I felt like kind of a schmuck for having left Frisell’s show early the night before. The effusive Newsome was overflowing with compliments for Bryce Dessner and everyone involved with MusicNOW.

Elsewhere in the audience this weekend I have spotted dozens of local musicians, including Johnny Ruzsa of Mohenjo Daro, percussionist Josh Craig with his adorable girlfriend Heather, guitarist Rob Stratton and bassist Ron Esposito, whose dulcet tones we all recognize from his many years of WVXU and WAIF broadcasts and voiceover work.

Too bad this blog isn’t a live television simulcast. I would love to pull a series of Joan Rivers Red Carpet-style surprise attacks on the various local luminaries and musicians as they arrived at Memorial Hall, peppering them with peculiar queries, comments about their clothes and asinine left-field questions about everything except the festival. “Excuse me, Mr. Tarbell? Did you catch Johnny Cueto’s major league debut Thursday?”

I ran into Dessner on the stairwell and as we spoke for a few minutes I thanked him for all he’s done to make the festival happen. Still reeling from Ben Verdery’s set the night before, I made it a point to express my gratitude to Dessner for including Verdery on the bill this weekend. Dessner was gracious and happy to talk for a few minutes, but clearly his mind was on a million other things. The evening’s show was well underway and uber-organizer Dessner would also be performing tonight as he had on the previous two evenings.

Now, I know that smoking is extremely unhealthy but on my way back from a quick puff outside on the front steps I had the divine fortune to spot guitarist Benjamin Verdery in the lobby. I noticed him in a small group of people just ahead of me walking up the steps into the auditorium. Dessner suddenly reappeared and before I knew what was happening he introduced me to Verdery, telling him I was a fan and a writer. The man was gracious and humble and all smiles as we talked about the beautiful venue and the festival. I told him, as you may have read in a previous blog, that as I watched his performance the night before I felt I was watching a man expanding the vocabulary of the guitar before my very eyes. Okay. Sure. I geeked out! I turned so completely into Fawning Fan Boy that I even asked for Verdery’s autograph. I was red-cheeked and geekin’ for several minutes after meeting him, and so abuzz with excitement was I that I didn’t even care that he made his autograph out “To Steve.”

Augmenting their line-up with the addition of special guests Dessner on guitar and Glenn Kotche on percussion, The Bang On A Can All Stars closed out the evening with a set of haunting neo-Classical pieces fraught with humor, grace and unexpected turns. Kotche’s appearance for the last two songs of the night marked a clear highlight in the evening’s proceedings. With a drum-set on either side of the stage, Kotche and percussionist David Cossin wove curious and powerful rhythmic patterns while the other instruments — piano, clarinet, bass and more — ably met the stringent challenge.

— Ric Hickey

(all photos by Keith Klenowski)

Comments

[newla marie]

nothing from night 3? easily the best on in my opinion (missed bill frisell)

[drummer510]

I loved Dirty Projectors. I got one of their cd's, "The Gettysburg Address", a couple years ago based off a review, but couldnt get into it. Seeing them live convinced me. Great vibe, interesting and unusual which allowed the audience the opportunity to conjure up their own images to go along with the music. In terms of musicality, they totally impressed me; most of the songs had great, but tough ostinato rhythms that they pulled off with ease. Then the two female singers were unbelievable, true talents. I loved the song where both sang breathy-like harmony while alternating between each other. The stereo effect was unreal. Great band and great selection for this festival.

Bang on a Can had it's moments, but there were times I felt a couple more rehearsals could have made the performance more convincing. Especially Kotches songs, they had their moments too, but the times when everybody was looking at each other for cues took away from the overall performance. Apparently, they rehearsed some of those songs earlier in the day, which explains some of the mistakes during the set.

I got to meet Kotche afterward and he was a real chill dude. Really down to earth and interested in what you had to say, which was totally refreshing. We talked some drums and about what he was listening to. Great guy, love his drumming and work.

BTW, nice review Ricky. didnt know sufjan was present.