Kata Rokkar — Kata Rokkar – A Bay Area based blog about music, life and stuff by Shawn Robbins.

show review: Phantogram at The Rickshaw Stop

1

03/9/2010

Concerts, Music, Show Review

Phantogram

Playing in San Francisco for the third time in five months, the Saratoga Springs, NY duo Phantogram once again graced us locals to a charged performance at The Rickshaw Stop Wednesday night, March 3rd. Opening for School Of Seven Bells last October and Zero 7 in December, this was the first headlining show in the Bay Area for these upstart soundsmiths.

Phantogram

Friends since junior high, the team of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel released their self titled EP in May of 2009 and quickly gained the attention of the national indie music scene. Since signing to Barsuk Records last fall, the pair has toured extensively in the US and parts of Europe. Now they are embarking on their own tour in support of their first full length album, Eyelid Movies, which dropped last month. Their eclectic style of music incorporates hip hop drum samples, buzzy synths, wet guitar hooks, and vocal stylings of both members into a unique package that has been dubbed by some as “Street Beat Psyche Pop.”

Phantogram

After local bands The Frail and City Light each played solid sets, Phantogram took the stage. Orchestrating a symphony of sound and light, these modern day wizards of oz dazzled the crowd with a barrage of visuals and soundwaves occupying all the cozy spots in the audible sonic range. Armed with samplers, synths, a guitar, a laptop, a dedicated mixer, and likely a handful of other things I was unable to identify, the pair transitioned between their respective tools seamlessly making their complex gear arrangement look easy to operate. I mean, I’ve been dazzled before by the likes of Hot Chip and Animal Collective with their substantial number of support personnel making things run smoothly, but the Oz metaphor rings true when you realize that this is just two people. Barthel was particularly impressive playing synth basslines and triggering light effects all while simultaneously serenading the crowd with some of the best live vocals I have heard in awhile, often looping them and layering on additional harmonies. There was very little banter between songs, as these two just stuck to doing what they have been perfecting since they formed; performing a charismatic live show for an engaged audience. And boy did they look at ease doing it.

- Tanner Pikop

Photos By Michael Townsend

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[mp3] Phantogram – When I’m Small from Eyelid Movies (2010)

  • http://www.coolthanks.net Aaron

    I absolutely love this band! I’m still waiting for them to make their way to Cleveland, Ohio. So…I’m jealous, but great article!