Recording: Flake

Artist: Flake

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Houndstooth, November 30, 2023.

Flake - unknown

I don't have much information for this new-ish combo — playing, I believe, only their second gig. Neil Rankin (bass) and Jude (guitar) were familiar faces to me, both musicians I was once used to seeing up front as the focus of attention in their own bands, Here, they were flanking the stage and, by all appearances, haveing a ball in more of a supporting role. The drummer and vocalist/guitarist (Erika and Hannah, according to the band's instagram) pushed the sounds away from the directions the others' past bands might suggest. Things got a little groovy (and stretched out a couple times in most satisfying ways), and with some slide guitar early on there were even hints of a Bush Tetras-esque no wave thing going on. Keep an eye out for further developments.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!

Recording: Deliluh

Artist: Deliluh

Song: Freeloader Feast

Recorded at MOCA (Not Dead Yet Presents), June 29, 2019.

Deliluh - Freeloader Feast

There was a bit of physical/emotional dislocation and relocation at this show, sorting through the realities and ironies of our gentrifying city. Recently a sort of semi-abandoned zone where off-the-grid culture flourished (and just over from where some cool DIY loft spaces used to be) and in a formerly-abandoned building (where audiences and musicians like the ones at hand used to sneak in and explore and smoke a joint, looking out over the city) this show took place in the new Museum of Contemporary Art, now refinished with a sort of austere/pricey minimalism and filled with Expensive Things. From the back of the long, rectangular space, held up by large circular concrete pillars, it looked not unlike a show taking place underneath a highway overpass — and by virtue of the space, it sounded more than a little like one too. Is this a simulacrum of independent culture, selling us back our nostalgia for a recently-departed past at a bespoke markup? Or is it just a matter of trying to find any sort of space in a city where space for the DIY spirit is getting crowded out?

Back from a tour and sharp as razorblades, this show served as the official release celebration for Deliluh's Oath Of Intent EP. It'd actually been a hot minute since I had seen the band in action, certainly not since they solidified with their current four-piece lineup with frontman Kyle Knapp and longstanding guitarist Julius Pedersen joined by Erik Jude (formerly of HSY, here on bass) and Erika Wharton-Shukster (on drums). Playing with fierceness and clarity, this was a tightly-focused set, showing off the EP's tunes, re-arranging a couple old ones and then finishing with one brand new one to leave the audience wanting more.