« Dancin’ with Moustaches
Friday, January 18th, 2008 at 1:17 pm by j
What’s better than a moustache party with Austin’s own Black and White Years? A sideburns party with Burt Reynolds, but we can’t have it all. Last night the Black and White Years brought their brand of electro pop to the Beauty Bar, with sets from DJ Orion and Abominatron. The crowd was the normal mix of too cool art school kids and hipsters, chicks with moustaches, and- wait, chicks with moustaches? Ya, a bunch of ‘em too.
The Black and White Years bring a synthed out layered pop that is catchy enough to dance to, but has enough Talking Heads’ qualities to be listened to early in the morning. “Broken Hand” is one of those songs that is great to listen to after a break up, it begins with a slow strum and ends with a fast paced synth over the lyrics “no one ever said it was easy”, although these guys make it look so.
Donning a killer ’stache, Scott Butler’s vocal style is like that of Isaac Brock, with various voices and a quirky delivery. His delivery on their tribute to the Lonestar state in “Texas” is a crowd favorite, and is one of many examples of the the dynamic between his voice and the music. Their hit “Power to Change” rocks a ska strum and a positive message, but not in a “Man in the Mirror” kinda way, but in a I wish I could change into a moustached ska player kinda way. The guitar solo at the end reveals their rock soul, well disguised by dance beats and keyboards. The seductive riff in “Lighten Up the Letters” is infectious, and a “A Wetter Sea” is a sing-along jam with plenty of oh oh ohs to satisfy any slurring crooner. Their new album will be released February 12, followed by an official release party a week later at Stubb’s.
The crowd was first warmed up with beats provided by the talented DJ Orion, with Abominatron jumping on the set after the show. These two young DJ’s have provided me with many nights of fist pumping, banger balls at the Beauty Bar, and when they do impromptu sets together, the dance floor is alive. Orion’s “Civilized Disobedience” video shot inside the State Capital building by Austin Style Watch is a snippet of the dance movement that is emerging from Austin. You can can catch these two at the bleach online party next Saturday or at the Mohawk later in the evening.
The Black and White Year’s next gig is in France, at the MIDEM festival in Cannes, an international trade show for all music genre professionals. The Black and White years will be one of the only two bands from North America. I’m suggesting a sideburns theme. Grab your passport, or for a show less international, check out their February 22 CD release show at Stubb’s.
-J
switchburn
Links:
