Radar Redux.com is expanding the traditional concept of journalism, to cover a wide array of Baltimore Arts and Culture.
“Who knew MGMT was fucking Vampire Weekend tonight?” asked a fellow standby-er. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Raindeer’s performance atop Golden West Café’s small but purpose-serving stage was the perfect conglomeration of uncouth psychedelia and coherent, preppily pepped hipster mania. Befuddled? Me too.
Over the past few years indie folk, alt rock, electronic pop, and disco, just to name a few, have either taken new meaning or abandoned meaning altogether, streaming in over and out of one another for unremitting, new musical experiences. Raindeer, The Winks, Holy Ghost Party, and Weekends, all of whom graced Golden West’s stage February twelfth, not only showcased their creative endeavors, but spoke to the musical era we have entered – a hodgepodge of everything you like and don’t like. The bands played to a plethora of musical tastes, from minimal electro, to synth loving pop, to head banging rock, and watching the short sets unfold in one of Baltimore’s most quirky and nonsensically adorned venues only affirmed the night’s weird assortment of performances. Needless to say, Baltimore’s entire hipster community was present, enjoying the show (or pretending to), while Natty Boh flowed from the antler festooned bar (on tap!)
In recent years Baltimore has produced an array of talented artists. Bmore club, rap, indie and experimental rock musicians have come to fruition and seen success off of Baltimore’s streets – from the club mania of Blaqstarr’s bumpin’ beats to the cult followings of Beach House’s dreamy pop songs. Creative juices from a number of different genres perpetually flow from the inner nooks and crannies of Charm City. The question is now, who’s next in line? And do they have what it takes to live up to the likes of Animal Collective, Dan Deacon, and Rye Rye?
Hopefuls play shows at Golden West Café, the Hexagon Space, and the Copy Cat building, aspiring to be that band that will blow an audience away with their never-before heard sounds. They then infiltrate the internet via complimentary blog posts written by friends, and the lucky are picked up by Hype Machine and soon skyrocketed into stardom, forever known as those special ones that didn’t fall through the cracks. Adam Lempel, member of Weekends and The Winks reflects, “It’s really cool watching [local] bands you know and love attain certain levels of success. A little strange sometimes… like hearing Beach House at Starbucks on the New Jersey Turnpike. But it’s great to see how something that starts so small can become so big.” Lempel continues, “Baltimore is a great city to be a musician in because it is cheap to live, and there is a real community of people that are interested in going to shows, performing, or hosting shows.” Today, amongst wowing performances on 5×3 stages, painted guitars, and Halloween worthy attire, the artists really have to pave the way for something new and special in order to stand out in the hub of creativity that is Baltimore.
Photo slideshow by Rivky Stern
Raindeer – Live @ Golden West by RADAR REDUX
Golden West Cafe
1105 W 36th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
http://www.goldenwestcafe.com/
Tags: Baltimore, Golden West Cafe, Holy Ghost Party, Juliette Eisner, Raindeer, The Winks, Weekends
Filed Under: Feature Sounds
No Comments