There were two acts at the Elbo room show Monday night and it was a well thought out pairing. Kerri Lebon (Discipline) was spinning dark acid techno in between Pale Dian of Austin, TX and our treasured local symbiosis, Chasms. The streets were unoccupied in SF’s mission district as the night seemed very dark with this persistent, icy wind. However, this weather just spurred more intrigue. There were only a handful of people that showed but the ones who did were dedicated supporters of both acts. Everyone who couldn't go missed out on what seems like the viewing of some clandestine gems.
Pale Dian was here showcasing their first album- “Narrow Birth” that was just released a mere two weeks ago, with a successful release party in LA the night before. The dream gaze trio Ruth Ellen on vox/synth, Derek Kutter on guitar and Nick Volpe on the bass. They opened the night up with the glimmery and ethereal slow instrumentation of “The Avenue” and they immediately drew you in by your heart strings. They moved onto many depths and terrains. “Evan Evan” is a perfect example of that, graduating to more intensity- back lit with a swarm of buzzing hums, painted by melodic, fluid guitar swaths and well crafted bass cameos. “Diana” showcases Ruth Ellen’s angelic range and Volpe’s memorable bass lines that ring true to beloved BBC sessions of the post-punk era. I got the shivers listening to this track. “Truth or Consequences” takes you down a road, possibly leading you to a scene from “Mulholland Dr.” Kutter agrees as he is often inspired by Lynch's "Twin Peaks" series. "I'm just here to add texture, not to be the 'stand out' part" he explains on his role with the guitar. Their set finished with their first single, “In a Day”, which will make you feel like you're in a summer afternoon under a cold pale sun.
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| photo courtesy of Geoff Smith |
Kerri LeBon came back in between sets to fill the sonic space with more alien dance beats. Jess Labrador on vox/guitar and Sky on bass are the SF gloom gaze pair Chasms. Newly signed to Felte records, they will be delivering us with all new material, tours and a video by Kristin Cofer coming this fall. Framed with the two golden dragons that live on the Elbo Room’s stage, they started up with the low tempo mode of “More Love to be Found’. Shrouding the stage in a veil of fog and illuminated by a yellow globe light in the between them, they wandered through their paths. We encountered more subtle intensities with “Beyond Flesh” and “Black Ice”, also peppered with minimal drum machine. Sky coincides with Labrador using bold open notes creating depth to Labrador’s whispering vocal style and noisy distortion guitar themes. Their energy crescendoed into a meddling of manipulated reverbed bass while Labrador went off in a gritty and emotionally felt solo with “Come to Harm”, crushing the night. It’s for those who are drawn to the noise/shoe-gaze/drone genre but maybe would like a more feminine quality to it. It isn't as focused on devoted melodic concepts but it’s not all out experimental. When you're in the mood to get into that cavernous realm, you do this. You go here. You go into Chasms. (PS- if you are in LA June 26 you can see them with Oil Thief at Non Plus Ultra)
“It will be sad to leave the west coast. It’s always the best” Kutter, said smiling upon his departure as he thought about the twenty plus shows left in their tour. It was a very special Monday night, indeed. Bon Voyage, PD! and looking forward to new that new Chasms album!
Check out Chasms music! http://chasmssf.bandcamp.com
Check out Pale Dian! http://paledian.bandcamp.com/album/narrow-birth-2
——You will never run out of the Strange and Delicious——
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