One of the world’s most isolated land masses is home to one of the better venues I’ve visited. Next Door, nested in the heart of Honolulu’s lounge district, offers a wide range of touring and local acts, attracting an equally diverse group of music fans. As one native told me, “Really amazing bands pass through here. I’ve been way too stoked to see Menomena.”
Opening the evening were two Hawaiian acts. Clones of the Queen enamored our ears with atonal electronic waves in the vein of Bjork. Stephen Augstin and the Fourth Wall perfectly complemented the headlining act with their experimental rock vibes. By the time the mainlanders took the stage, the night was already proverbially bumping.
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Menomena is now a duo of Justin Harris and Danny Seim (Brent Knopf left the band at the end of 2010), with a small rotating cast of tour support. Paul Alcott made the long trip to Honolulu, mastering Menomena’s signature sound of fluttery keys that complement the duo’s pounding, calculated bass and drums.
With words few and far between, Harris maintained a reserved on-stage demeanor. But from behind the drums, Seim--who spent much of his childhood in Hawaii--offered small jests and introductions. As this was my first Menomena show, I was struck by the subtly disorienting tone their music creates when performed live. Experimental yet accessible, the listener can get lost in the layers of pieced together sounds or sing along to the occasional catchy hook. Not satisfied by traditional song structures, these quirky compositions pair youthful eccentricity with lush tones, and evoke an odd mix of reactions from the crowd. Two fairly inebriated fellows moshed around slow dancing couples; some stood silently with their PBRs raised; other faithful fans passionately screamed the lyrics.
After the show, Harris was kind enough to greet me by name. I’ll omit all of my star-stuck, mushy feelings and wrap this up: with musical precision, humility, relevance, and innovation, Menomena is by far one of the best bands I’ve seen in the flesh. They are the poster act of the underrated.
DOWNLOAD: Menomena - Five Little Rooms (MP3) or Follow us for more Menomena MP3s (Twitter)
Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
thanks so much nadine! probably the best compliment a photog can get!
and thanks for reminding me to embed the video in the post too!
by Steve Benoit on Sun May 20, 2012 at 09.33 am from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
I can’t get over how these photos captured my up close memory of the night.
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 11.08 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
Or should it be whoever? F my grammar.
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 10.30 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
Whomever took these photos certainly captured the night!
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 10.26 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
“Mindkilla” is awesome. I’ve got this music video last week and really impressed through watching every performance particularly “Glass Jar”. Thanks dude. :)
dance contest
by Mark Waugh on Thu May 17, 2012 at 05.54 am from the entry: Gang Gang Dance's Illuminating "Mindkilla"
Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…
by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.
by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
