Band Most Likely

So on tuesday i had the good fortune to see the band most likely to be used on the Fall 2008 season premiere of Gossip Girl. I'm talking about She & Him of course. Pairing up indie film stalwart Zooey Deschanel and trubador M. Ward was a match made in indie fanboy heaven, and plenty haas already been written about them and their debut album Volume One so i'm not gonna rehash any of that. I will say I'm a huge M. Ward fan and have been since I saw him play the Turf Club in 2004.

So to crib a page from "So How Was The Show?" i will tell you how the show was. The tour was supposed to kick off monday night but was canceled due to an 'illness' and both shows were combined. This meant moving from the intimate Hiro Ballroom to the mid-level Webster Hall. Could somebody say "cheap ploy to sell more tickets yet play only one show?" that's what CPG and discussed over happy hour drinks. Arguably there'd be a better sound system, but who's to say what would be lost given the size and the potential for annoying patrons hanging out near the bar talking like this was the library. Or one of those assholes who go to Barnes and Noble to lay on the floor of the Science Fiction section and yak on their cell phones. Although I can't say i'm much better as B&N is the best place to relieve yourself when you've drank a carafe of coffee and have a twenty block walk before you. But that's not nearly as rude, right?

digressions.

when the band came out Zooey held up a hand-written sign saying "Hello New York", then grinned widely and in a meek voice apologized for losing her voice. A collective swoon passed through the audience. For forty minutes M, Z and Ward's standard 3 piece backing band played the jams off Vol. 1, with only one new track in the mix. Slight pauses between songs and Matt was a man of few words, with Zooey merely glowing at the audience's response, offering new signs and winning over the hearts and minds of iraqi's everywhere.

Any conspiratorial thoughts of the group to double the fun with extra sugar-free gum was merely a theory. CPG asked how it was possible that she couldn't speak yet sounded pitch-perfect through the show (there were a few minor stumbles which can be written off as endearing.) But Stevie Nicks used to be the same way on tour, refusing to speak in order to preserve her voice.

After less than an hour including an encore featuring Ward's "Magic Trick" (the S&H version can be found below, courtesy of the Music for ReadyMakers comp, with altered lyrics, natch) and a cover, it was over. Short and sweet. It was a good duration as the audience got swept up in the moment, but never bored to the point of chatty. One of the most respectful audiences i've been a part of in a club that size.

the highlight of the show was "You really got a hold on me." A lesser track on Vol. 1, Ward this time around sang the verses with Zooey, filling in the duet and warranting his back-up vocals on the chorus. CPG closed the night with the apropos statement "I didn't know M. Ward was such a badass." Yup.

Music for ReadyMakers Vol. 3 You Really Got A Hold On Me
Music for ReadyMakers Vol. 3 Magic Trick

March Picks: andrew.

Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther:
Kinda standard acoustic indie rock. I guess they could be compared to Travis in musical approach and harmonies. The jury is out on this one.
update: I've come to really like this record, quite subtle in it's textures. give it about 3 listens all the way thru.

She & Him - Volume One:
Yes it's M. Ward and Zooey Deschannel making suite music together. It sounds like early 60s girl pop. Zooey definitely ups the ante for the forthcoming Scarlet Johansen record. It's actually quite catchy.

Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue:
A highly diverse collection of sweeping semi-orchestral pop-rock without the typical cringe factors, some swell steel guitar, a funk jam, and other elements that were all the rage in the early 70s.

Bang On A Can All-Stars - Music For Airports:
Brian Eno composed it, so it's like the soundtrack to airplanes on a tarmac. In the quiet, contemplative sense.

Calexico - Ocean Of Noise:
The B-side of Arcade Fire's "Intervention" single, with Calexico's take on "Ocean of Noise." Worth your time.