Ever since vocalist/bassist Satomi Matsuzaki joined the band just after arriving in San Francisco from Japan in 1997, Deerhoof has been on a roller coaster journey. The go-to for describing their sound might be something like experimental art rock/pop, but it wouldn’t be fair to limit their brilliantly erratic style to a few words. The high-volume eclectic noise-scapes defy any easy label.
Following critical raves over La Isla Bonita (2014), their live album Fever 121614 (2015), and the collaboration with Brazilian-born composer Marcos Balter and the Ensemble Dal Niente, Balter/Saunier (2016), it was time for the next adventure. But forget recording in a studio. Forget overthinking the process. The band discovered an abandoned office building in a New Mexico desert and decided that would be the spot to make their next album. This was basically turning everything up loud and playing their hearts out – no rehearsals and no real direction. And from this spontaneity and raw, uninhibited energy came their latest release, The Magic.
Tonight‘s Deerhoof show should not be missed. Catch them at the Mohawk, 912 Red River, on the outside stage, with Philadelphia dark-punk trio Blank Spell and local dream-popsters Tele Novella. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Then join the afterparty with Empire Machines and Denizens on the inside stage, starting at 10 p.m. Recommended.
-Photo courtesy of Polyvinyl Records.
