Austra + Grimes + Tasseomancy – Holocene (Portland, OR; Nov. 14, 2011)

Tasseomancy began the night bejeweled in velvet, beads, silk, and plastic tribal bear masks. The masked bassist and of the two twin sisters (on classical guitar) played from folding chairs while the drummer from Austra tweaked knobs and buttons in the back. The style immediately harkened the playful feminine mysticism of Bat for Lashes, Cocorosie, Cibelle, Stevie Nicks, and Lavender Diamond. And though they risked losing people by singing like choir girls about contemplating snakes, golden flames, and drink, the packed room was transfixed… and remained so until the end.

Grimes was accompanied by a deadpan Gael Garcia Bernal lookalike. He danced beside her with a smattering of silk scarves and costume changes including a lovely oriental robe. The lavender-haired pixie with vocals like a toddler (albeit well trained) sang and pushed buttons feverishly. When she required two hands, she rested the microphone between her chin and shoulder like a phone and, of course, never stopped dancing. Also hanging from her shoulders was a striking navy blue aviation trench coat with the ‘wings’ symbol on each side. People in the audience passed by and exclaimed things like, “Love the costume changes!” and “Soooo good!” Mr. “Bernal” changed into a pink and blue plaid shirt, tied in the front to expose midriff like a 90’s R&B backup dancer. But this man was no backup, he was ‘front-up’ all the way. A discussion arose about there being a technique to this man’s choreography. Was it purely freestyle or was he in fact trained in Tai-Chi as it appeared? ‘Tis still a mystery, but the man was certainly in the moment and his presence of mind and body infected the crowd until they were all dancing just as erratically. Clapping, hopping, and laughing became the predominant activities of evening, to the delight of the performers, no doubt. Grimes had an obvious fan-base scattered throughout the crowd, singing along with her childlike whispers and gyrating to the heavy beats and gentle melodies. At the end, our dancing queen sat on the floor packed an Air Canada suitcase full with his various garments while someone in the audience yelled helplessly, “Do me now! Do me now!”

The Tasseomancy twins joined Austra as visual stimuli and backup vocalists for the entire performance. Katie Stelmanis gave us the 90’s treatment with some fabulously hideous black thick-soled low-cut boots, leggings, shimmery bangles, and a billowy green jumper. With a costume change of their own, the twins reappeared with their hair in matching half-ponytail/buns, ‘hammer pants’ (why? why?), and blouses otherwise seen only on the lonely racks of Value Village. A thrilling kick of melody and electronic beats reliably started each song, but Stelmanis’ sweeping arm gestures (as if handing us each word she sang like tangible, enchanted gifts) and blindingly-blond hair appropriately dramatized the icy sounds. Ethereal, gothic chants were her own operatic style. And in so many ways like her kin, Cocorosie, she also had aspirations to perform classical opera. The three girls (and another on drums) stood at the stage-front, chanting with eyebrows furrowed and lips contorting from tense ‘ooo’s to relaxed ‘eeee’s, like Homer’s infamous sirens. It was musical massage therapy; aggressively but methodically ironing out the knots. All of this combined with the girls’ quivering vocals, particularly poignant during their single, “Lose it”, was impossible not to be captivated by. The twins, on either side of Stelmanis, maintained sly, knowing smiles throughout the performance while they danced and sang. Not once did they break character (not that character development was even expected, but it certainly garnered praise). The happy crowd did indeed ‘lose it’ during this song. Austra’s sound is ostensibly menacing and sexual, but the performance communicated unmistakable positivity and self-assurance (Oh, Canada! How do you do it?). If not already, Austra will surely become a handsome beacon for the voiceless. All very young, the band is clearly still getting their hands used to the ropes of fame. But these kids from the cold country up north hit the hot button, and where their compatriots (Zola Jesus, Bat for Lashes, Ladytron, Fever Ray, and The XX) release the pressure, Austra keeps it tightly bound. 

DOWNLOAD: Austra - Beat and the Pulse (MP3) or Follow us for more Austra MP3s (Twitter)

Austra review to your liking? You'll sweat:

Zola Jesus + Naked on the Vague + Pete Swanson - Holocene (Portland, OR; May 6, 2011)

The XX - That Tent (Bonnaroo 2010; June 10)

Lykke Li + Grimes – Wonder Ballroom (Portland, OR; May 28, 2011)

Cocorosie + Cibelle - Wonder Ballroom (Portland, OR; June 26, 2010)

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