If you were wondering how Telefon Tel Aviv was going to continue after the tragic death of partner Charles Cooper, then you probably were, like me, unaware of The Race. This opening-billed band from Chicago has a history with TTA—they credit Telefon’s Joshua Eustis as a contributor on their MySpace page (though he didn’t perform with them), and band member Fredo Nogueira is a longtime friend of both Cooper and Eustis. And now Nogueira has stepped up as TTA’s touring partner and, I can only assume, collaborator.
So it was somewhat of a family affair at the Mohawk Monday night. And before I get into how good Telefon Tel Aviv was live, I should take a second to extol the virtues of The Race. They took the stage in the small, dark, incredibly warm Mohawk bar and plowed through a set of fuzzy, booming distortion.Their music has a refined rock swagger that belies their association with TTA, and the three performing members, one on bass and keyboard, the other two on guitar detail, delivered a tight, heavy set. But beneath the live instrumentation bubbled beautifully textured, suspiciously Eustisy soundscapes that gave the music an eerie sonic context not unlike TTA’s. The Race unfortunately lack much of the emotional weight of their touring partners, but they don’t lack for energy. Though I have yet to pick up their album, I’d guess their music thrives best in a packed, sweaty crowd atmosphere. The Mohawk crowd in particular treated the act politely, with hearty claps and cheers after each song, but I would argue that the band earned a little more stomping and rug cutting than it got.
With a brief reshuffling of members and ditching of instruments, Telefon Tel Aviv took the stage. The slow-burning opener set the mood immediately, signaling a transition from the punky thump of The Race to the more contemplative atmospheres of Telefon’s latest. The hypnotic effect of TTA’s music took hold instantly, and the polite ambivalence the crowd had exhibited for The Race was swept away in a flurry—ok, calm breeze—of analog blips and mournful croons.
The duo played almost entirely from Telefon’s newest album, Immolate Yourself, but threw in a couple fantastic new songs which, at first blush, seem to continue in the more song-oriented, less ambient, structure of Immolate. Both members were genial but reserved—with Nogueira rarely raising his head—acting more as vessels than performers. The duo only interjected a few times, most memorably as they launched into “Stay Away From Being Maybe” as Eustis declared, “This is for Charles.”
TTA hasn’t done anything terribly drastic with their live show—besides a reordering of songs, Immolate Yourself is recognizable down to the last bleep. But if you’re a fan, you know how textured and intricate these songs are, and that the pleasure of listening to them is in allowing yourself to become immersed in their world. What the live atmosphere essentially does is the immersing for you, thanks to a crisp, loud sound system and impassioned vocal performances from Eustis and Nogueira.
Though the band is carrying on, and Nogueira gave a fine performance, Cooper’s death is an inextricable part of this tour. It’s a small consolation that Cooper left behind a catalog of songs as comforting as they are sombre. And if you’re looking for a fitting tribute to him, you won’t do better than this show.
DOWNLOAD: Telefon Tel Aviv - Helen of Troy (MP3) or Follow us for more Telefon Tel Aviv MP3s (Twitter)
wow i really loved the interview… he’s sweet and always have been it me lol i love him so much
by tania on Wed Dec 2, 2009 at 02.46 am from the entry: Eminem gets candid about addiction, Relapse 2 and more in Complex interview
Hey Colin,
Great review for a great show. Fantastic photos as well, and I was wondering what the chances were of getting a couple non-watermarked files so I could print them as a gift for someone? I’d understand if you’d rather not, but figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask.
Thanks either way, and keep up the good work.
by Me on Tue Dec 1, 2009 at 09.36 pm from the entry: The Pixies + Rain Machine - Hult Center (Eugene, OR; Nov. 14, 2009)
Agreed. What I really liked about it was the acts actually complemented each other, which I feel is a rarity these days. If more shows were put together with respect to how they might sound one after another, I think fans would really appreciate it!
by Siri on Tue Dec 1, 2009 at 05.04 pm from the entry: Friendly Fires + The xx + Holly Miranda - Doug Fir (Portland, OR; Nov. 25, 2009)
that bill was unreal! whoever set that up deserves a party thrown in their honor or at the very least a promotion.
by colin on Tue Dec 1, 2009 at 05.01 pm from the entry: Friendly Fires + The xx + Holly Miranda - Doug Fir (Portland, OR; Nov. 25, 2009)
Review is spot on! I, too, was lucky enough to see this trio of incredible bands and came away from the night feeling thoroughly pumped!!
by Siri on Tue Dec 1, 2009 at 04.52 pm from the entry: Friendly Fires + The xx + Holly Miranda - Doug Fir (Portland, OR; Nov. 25, 2009)
definite recipient of the jackass award
by colin on Tue Dec 1, 2009 at 12.06 pm from the entry: Pete Doherty sings Nazi Anthem during German performance
My bad. Was talking about Priors but i guess since I haven’t heard the original, this might not sound anything like a French group if Hey Champ wasn’t doing it. I’ll go looking for the original and make an adjustment if necessary.
by colin on Tue Dec 1, 2009 at 12.06 pm from the entry: Essential Listening: Priors "What You Need (Hey Champ Remix)"
Hey hey hey!
Neon Noise Project presents Chromeo at Village Underground in Shoreditch in London on November the 27th!
Check it out!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156533777430&ref=mf
http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=348909
Cheers!