hooves on the turf

Download Doubt / Hope” | Sweden’s Wildbirds & Peacedrums proceeds its stage activities by unclothing its music of whatever coat, and letting it dance in its bare glory with tortured singing over telling drums. If the percussion is the peace drums, the singing here is the wild bird without a doubt. Except, the percussion here has nothing to do with peace - it goes right into rolling the drama out of each calamity. The blues in the band’s music is how the blues must’ve been in its beginnings: a metaphysical crisis sprung not just from any heartache, but the acceptance of living and its myriad of gems, despite the inevitable downfalls it must put you through, which by the way is what they mean by “selling the soul to the devil”. Unfortunately, “I Can’t Tell in His Eyes” (posted above) isn’t the best example, despite the great lyrics, but that’s what’s available for free right now.

More photos, and the amazing Sharon Van Etten, after the jump.

It’s entirely to the benefit of our fortune that the band’s lined-up quite a few street shows, in addition to other regular ones.

Download “It’s Not Like” | Sharon Van Etten may never be “cool” - but when you miss your mother, or the mother you wish you had, or when you want to put a glow in your heart with whatever drink it is that does that for you, you’ll want to listen to Sharon Van Etten. Especially if it’s raining outside and you’re sitting by the fire. She’s gifted with a strong, soothing voice that seems to flow out of her like a waterfall that must drop. Her face in the picture below sums up what she sounds like:

Adem was headlining, though I really went to see Wildbirds. His polka-dot shirt and highly meterosexual flip flops had no influence on my judgements (and I mean it!), though his experimental Bjork cover and other adventures were too sweet for my taste. Funny and pleasant, nonetheless.