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AUSTIN, TX- Saturday had was busy as we got to check out a bunch of acts like Shabazz Palaces (Ishmael Butler and Tendai “Baba” Maraire hip hop avant-garde duo are currently signed to Sub Pop), Shannon And The Clams (a Californian garage rock, R&B, Psych band fronted by the wonderful singer and bass player Shannon Shaw, guitarist Cody Blanchard, and keyboardist Will Sprott, along with drums by Nate Mahan), Arooj Aftab (a Pakistani vocalist, music composer, and producer) and Portrayal Of Guilt (and Austin-based 3 piece hardcore punk band. Their new album CHRISTFUCKER is currently on pre-order at Run For Cover Records).
Donning a turtle costume and shorts, along with funny personal remarks, Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner delivered a virtuoso performance. The levels of musicianship were pretty ridiculous! What else can you do young person? Also, how can someone smile while shredding so effortlessly? Through all of his career achievements (including Grammy awards and collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, and tenure with Suicidal Tendencies as a teen) Bruner has mastered the ability to interact with the crowd while masterfully playing inventive music in the mainstream world. He’s also leading a prodigious band and doing so with no shortage of charisma.
Yves Tumor‘s set came without a specific archetype, more like an antagonistic, yet vulnerable poetic character. Perhaps a bit of a flirty villain. Tumor took the stage in a bare-chested outfit covered in a dim sunset, like orange lighting. I was expecting a fun show, but it turned into a truly impactful set; very rock’n’roll and distorted while showcasing the 5-piece band’s well-crafted musicianship and Tumor’s soft, raspy vocals. While they teased the chanting and dancing audience, unconsciously it felt like a place where everyone belonged. When they finally stage-dove in a perfectly gentle queen-like pose, the crowd carried their slender body and finally placed them carefully back on stage. Access is everything and seeing a black, gender-fluid artist transcending stereotypes and becoming influential in every craft they touch (social issues, fashion, performance art, obviously music) feels undeniably relatable. Like the little crew, you always wanted to be a part of.
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