Don’t miss out on a great show at this years Pygmalion Music Festival just because the band’s goofy name makes you do a double take. Sit down, relax, and let buzz introduce you to these fine groups of musical performers you might have otherwise missed. Onward!
Maserati:
Thursday, Sept.20 – Canopy Club
Everyone from Joe Walsh to Turtle knows how fast the famous Italian roadster can go. Alas, they cost more than a condo, and unless you’re sitting on a trust fund, you won’t lose your license driving 185 mph anytime soon. But, you don’t have to be a celebrity to afford this Thursday night headliner – $8 is all you need. Maserati hails from Athens, Georgia, and continues to develop the space rock genre. Maserati’s tunes are vastly instrumental, but never boring, and the best aspect of the group is their ability to add seemingly limitless variations on their already interesting musical ideas. If you like psychedelic rock, trance music or bands that can jam, Maserati is a must!
Dianogah:
Friday, Sept. 21 – Krannert Tryon Festival Theatre
If you’ve got a ticket to Andrew Bird, you must already be wondering what a Dianogah (pronounced Dye-ah-NO-gah) is. Well, Bird fans, Dianogah is really a band to behold. Beautifully intertwined bass lines flow in and out of each other, and when one bassist is playing up the neck, the absence of guitar – the group’s instrumentation is two bass guitars and drums – is easily made up for. Again, we have another band that lacks a main presence behind the microphone, but like Maserati, Dianogah never disappoints with a boring jam. You will be hard pressed to find another two-bass band as original and impressive as Dianogah.
Sybris:
Friday, Sept. 21 – the Highdive
OK, if you aren’t overcome with excitement over a band with two bass players and no vocalist, don’t worry – Sybris might be right up your alley. Lead vocalist/guitarist, Angela Mullenhour reminds me of a combination of The Pixies’ Kim Deal and Joan Jett. Her vocals attack fiercely when the music calls for it, but are also gently subdued near the beginning of certain songs. I would also expect Sybris to be on top of their game, having just come from a performance at Toronto’s Virgin Festival.
Baby Teeth:
Friday, Sept. 21 – Canopy Club
One great thing about the independent music scene is the diversity of influences that all of these different bands have. Baby Teeth combines indie attributes with a generous proportion of ’80s style pop. Many on the scene compare their music to Todd Rundgren’s, and Fiery Furnace lead singer Eleanor Friedberger is quoted as saying, “We’ve never played with a band that sounds so much like Queen.” With keyboard-heavy songs, and melt-in-your-mouth hooks, it will be easy for any pop music fan to get up and dance along with Baby Teeth.
Roses and SakÇ:
Thursday, Sept. 20 – Canopy Club
Roses and SakÇ play songs penned by acoustic guitarist Frank Maloney, with an occasional twinge of mandolin and lap steel guitar. If you are a fan of bluesy guitar playing and some good ol’ fashioned rock and roll, make sure you don’t leave after Maserati – Roses and SakÇ play a late set at 1 a.m.
Yeasayer:
Saturday, September 22 – Canopy Club
Straight outta Brooklyn, NY comes Yeasayer: the most hap’nin’ thing to hit the Gospel scene since … well, I’m not too sure on that one. It seems to me that the band classifies itself as a Gospel band because of the way they present their music. Their overall message, while not necessarily religious, is certainly uplifting. The vocalists are often heard singing harmonies that are quite difficult, which complements the diverse instrumentation well. Steel drums and Rhodes pianos give their music an ethereal feel. The final product is very unique, and since Yeasayer tends to tour the East Coast, so don’t miss them while they visit CU.
