Mincemeat or Tenspeed photos by Sam Gurry
If you weren’t at Vox Populi last Sunday then we already feel sorry for you. It was a surprisingly (not)crowded show at the 11th street gallery especially considering the slick lineup; slicker than usual for a Philadelphia show. Kria Brekken, Eric Copeland (Black Dice), and Lucky Dragons were among those on the bill fresh from playing a show at Swarthmore College the night before. Joining them were, the new, Ecstatic Sunshine and Philly’s own Mincemeat or Ten Speed. Mincemeat, David Harms, opened the show by first asking the crowd “to please stand up” as the people sitting made him uncomfortable. Once the crowd ambled up, Mincemeat began his pulsating mixture of dirty low-fi beats using one beasting collection of pedals. Harms method of playing is distinct in that he doesn’t use instruments…really. “No synthesizers, samplers, sequencers, drum machines, computers, musical instruments," As the liner, notes for his new album, Strange Gods, states. It provides for a unique experience Philly can be proud of.
Lucky Dragons photos by Sam Gurry
Sandwiched in the middle for the night was Lucky Dragons, Luke Fischbeck and Sarah Rara, bringing it back and back again. A trademark of a Lucky Dragons performance is the interactive music they present to the audience. The music isn’t just theirs to create; it’s the whole crowd's. The instruments provided to the audience ranged from something that looked liked a maraca’s cousin (complete with reverb) to part of the “Make a Baby” performance. “Make a Baby” begins with people in the audience holding onto a part of it and then touching one another on the skin. The pattern, pitch, and sound of the instrument are direct results of people touching each other. A perfect blend of performance, music, and art. The whole set seemed to be facilitated by Rara’s wistfully pure voice providing moans and murmurs throughout. Everyone is the room was transfixed by the daze in front of them, even the too-cool-for-school door hepcats. Sunglasses removed, Ear Plugs in, and attention grabbed.
Unfortunately, the night was cut short when the PoPo decided to make a surprise visit during Eric Copeland’s set. The man doesn’t like young kids listening to their gosh darn Rock ‘N’ Roll. Come back to Philly Eric Copeland! We won’t let the man bring you down next time!
Mincemeat or Tenspeed will be playing Nov. 2nd with Talk Normal and The Black & The Blues at either the Copy Gallery or Marvelous Music depending on whose myspace you trust.
Mincemeat or Tenspeed - myspace / Zum Records
Lucky Dragons - myspace / band site / Marriage Records
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