By Gene Wagendorf III
For a brief period on the 7th of July The Whistler was transformed into what my friend aptly dubbed "The Green Mill in the future"- quality cocktails in a slightly snooty atmosphere with music that both leans on and eviscerates jazz. That music came courtesy of Chants, an outfit from Madison, WI whose musical influences would just read like an annoying list of genres. Throughout the entire set Chant's sound seemed to challenge the audience's expectation of what was coming next. Scuttling percussion bounced all around The Whistler, tricking the crowd into bobbing and dancing before breaking down or blowing up. Tense, hypnotic melodies whimpered furiously, at times creating that neo-jazz sound my companion was so fixated with, and at other times seeping Nintendo-inspired tornadoes from the speakers. Each elegant hook and catchy beat was countered by drum and bass whirls and the occasional plodding, introspective detour. Where Chants excelled live was in their refusal to submit to simple pop arrangements, instead choosing to create and populate entire worlds with each number.
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Chants |
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Rachel Rosen |
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Check out more show reviews:
Briar Rabbit at Double Door
Jason Webley at Panchos
Not in the Face, Moon Furies, Man Your Horse at Memories
The Kent McDaniel Band, Kraig Kenning at Custer's Last Stand fest
Project Film, Exit Ghost and more at Reggies
The 1900s, Gold Motel at Taste of Randolph
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