The Silverlake Jubilee began as a party, which has now blossomed into a 3-4 block long festival. The Silverlake/Echo Park hipsters and music lovers conglomerated, creating a rich artsy texture to a desolate part of the neighborhood, below El Cid on Sunset.
Depending on your musical tastes, there was something for everyone at the festival. DJ's spun hip mixes, acoustic guitars played soft rhythmic verses, and drums with shredding guitars gave way as the evening swept the sun away. The stand outs in the line up were Nico Stai, Spain, The Growlers, and The Entrance Band all for various reasons.
Nico Stai is well loved amongst the East LA art and music scene. His solid showmanship and simple but powerful, tightly woven songs conjure an image of an artist on the verge of creeping into the US consciousness. He has a tremendous knack for writing dark lyrics and enveloping them with the catchiest, most endearing melodies. If Robert Smith, Patti Smith, and The Lemonheads had a baby, it'd be Nico Stai. The set was solid, intense, and felt like a shot of adrenaline on this sunny Saturday afternoon. New tunes "3,000 girl" and "As Light as Paper" created a nice mix of material, but also created a different mood. "As Light as Paper" was a beautiful sweet serenade that wafted through the crowd. Unfortunately the mood was spoiled as Nico was kicked off stage for the next band.
Spain played a bluesy, soulful set to a low-key crowd. This groups song "Spiritual" was recorded by the late great Johnny Cash on his 1996 covers album. Having broken up, but recently back together and working on their next CD, this is the best band reunion idea of the year. The immense amount of talent and passion in their sound creates a new level of appreciation for delicate riffs and solid bass line jams. There sound is no joke if you’re into hearty rhythms that sweep you into a rabbit hole of rich melodies and melancholy moods. They are a band to partake in, a band to kick back with, and just experience.
The Growlers are the college tour band of the year, or so it goes. With a fun Don Ho/Strokes/Killers sound, Vampire Weekend look, and onstage bravado of Frank Sinatra, they are worth putting your dancing shows on and heading out to see. The crowd/press were onstage dancing and photographing halfway through the set, which made for a carnival atmosphere that was distracting from the music. As security cleared the stage and the singer lit up his cigarette and crooned, it was obvious that they have the current hot sound of Indie bands and can go far given the crowds reaction. Is it a new sound? No. A similar style to what's already popular? Yes. Is it fun? Yes. This is the perfect Hipster date band if you want to pretend your in a late 1960's B flick, so throw on your Ray Bans, Bee Hive Hair, dancing shoes, and beware of security if you jump on stage.
The Entrance Band is a deep, intimate, psychedelic rock band. They look intense, and play intensely. Though the beginning of their set seemed like chaotic, trippy sounds converging into a solid tight plain of sound, it seemed each of their songs took the listener on a mystical journey that was guided by a close loving friend. If you ever had a freak out on a acid trip, but your buddy pulled you back into reality, that would sum up the sound of this group. They will push your understanding of music to a whole new level and wet your appetite to want more. The Jimi Hendrix's Experience may have begun the trip this band is on, but Entrance is respectfully building off of this legendary legacy with finesse and solid force.
http://www.myspace.com/nicostai
http://www.myspace.com/worldofspain
http://www.myspace.com/lbcgrowlers
http://www.myspace.com/entrancerecords
Day 2 reviews and Nico Stai and The Like interviews later this week...
Check out MORE photos at 944.com magazine:
http://www.944.com/nightsites/gallery/silverlake-jubilee/
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