Gifts from Enola is the kind of band you go see and then whisper to you friend next to you, “Whoa, these guys really put on a great performance.” The post-rock band from Virginia came to Portland and really showed the audience a true post-rock show. Three guitarists played in an animated and chaotic harmony. The sounds they produce are like stories and roller coaster rides, filled with the creeping quiet interrupted by the inevitable explosive arrangement of noise.
This gets said plenty, but one thing that really gets me when I watch bands is their lighting. Some bands have a unique light show to accompany their music, which makes the performance so much more entertaining. Bands like Autolux, Yeasayer, and Gifts from Enola are perfect examples of how bands can capture an additional one of your senses as you admire their sounds.
Their latest full length From Fathoms sounds great on record—however, hearing them live blew me away. For playing as loud as any great post-rock artist, they have a very clean live sound and an amazing stage presence.
Look out for these guys whenever they come to your neck of the woods. They are genuinely beautiful people with a great chemistry for making music.
DOWNLOAD: Gifts from Enola - Screaming at Anything That Moved (MP3) or Follow us for more Gifts from Enola MP3s (Twitter)
Justin Townes Earle + Joe Pug - 2/14
Doug Fir Lounge
The Magnetic Fields - 2/21
Aladdin Theatre
The Magnetic Fields - 2/22
Aladdin Theatre
The Magnetic Fields - 2/23
Aladdin Theatre
The Magnetic Fields - 2/24
Aladdin Theatre
El Perro Del Mar - 2/28
Doug Fir Lounge
Basia Bulat - 3/8
Mississippi Studios
Avey Tare was in attendance, along with Angel from Dirty Projectors.
by David on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 08.35 pm from the entry: Atlas Sound + Neon Indian - E&L Auditorium (New York, NY; Feb. 4, 2010)
Good catch, oh masked marvel.
by Ari Sommer on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 02.42 pm from the entry: St Vincent + Wildbirds and Peacedrums - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR; Feb. 6, 2010)
St. Sincent...ha.
by anonymous on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 02.04 pm from the entry: St Vincent + Wildbirds and Peacedrums - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR; Feb. 6, 2010)
Aan was amazing.
by jarrod on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.02 pm from the entry: Blue Horns + Morning Teleportation + Aan - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR Jan. 30, 2010)
I’d like to clarify that for this show they cut off the back half of Neumo’s floor with a curtain and had the upstairs bar closed. It made Neumo’s obviously seem much smaller than it is. Unfortunately, now having seen Neumo’s fully open at another show I can say that this show was very empty. Still White Denim and Brazos rocked.
by Chris on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.57 am from the entry: White Denim + Brazos - Neumos (Seattle, WA; Jan. 24, 2010)
I agree, it’s very good. Way to deflate their balloon.
by colin on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.03 am from the entry: Third Annual Portland Music Awards - Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR; Jan. 28, 2010)
Love the photos. And that “Walkabout” song is the drugs.
by Beth Doreian on Sun Feb 7, 2010 at 01.14 pm from the entry: Atlas Sound + Neon Indian - E&L Auditorium (New York, NY; Feb. 4, 2010)
