Live Review: Black Gold strikes at the Knitting Factory 8.17.2008
In their day jobs, Black Gold‘s Eric Ronick and Than Luu can be found tickling the ivories and beating the skins for the likes of Panic at the Disco and Rachel Yamagata (no? howsbout M.Ward)…respectively. Calling Brooklyn their official home (and who on the East Coast doesn’t anymore?), the duo’s live set brings a familiar brand of key driven indie-pop in the veins of Jack’s Mannequin or even a bit of Panic! themselves; but very much without the theatrical angle. Ronick and Luu’s talent dominates their live band which is rounded out aptly with a guitarist and bassist providing background vocals. I just thought I’d tell you that they have other members playing with them and NOT a bunch of loops and backing tracks like I’d expected after seeing most 2 person acts use lately. Their recorded songs however sound a bit different live and tip more towards the electronic. Although I wouldn’t say Black Gold is a completely precious metal they do have a bit of shine (Yes I know Black Gold means oil, i just wanted to throw in a metal metaphor) and are worth a look. I go too far sometimes.
They are especially worth a look if they are splitting the bill with San Diego’s Swim Party, who gently blew me away with their 3 piece bubble light spectacular. Soothing, Rocking and Swimming in great tone, appropriate use of effects and expert bass finger tapping, Swim Party has wonderful instrumentation AND melody. They were lovely enough that the 8 of us at the show asked for an encore after their set which included a splendid Low cover (I don’t know which song). If you get a chance to pick up one of the 200 Limited Edition Handmade copies of their cd Pixie Dust on the Blood Range then you’ll be treated to the best packaging on an independent release I’ve seen all year and a fine release to boot! Designed by their very talented bassist Alex Devereaux, the front cover uses a page from Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five as part of the background for the main image and uses the page number to denote which album in the series of 200 you have. Pretty brill. To add to the theme, the back cover has a real match. More info and an inside image can be found on their friend’s blog: It’s Too Sunny Out Here.
Black Gold’s Detroit EP is out as of Today (8/19).
Black Gold will be at Spaceland in Silverlake on 8/20 with The Blood Arm opening for Black Francis (Frank Black of the Pixies).
And you can catch them FOR FREE with The Devil’s Orchestra (previously recommended by AvantTrash) this Sunday 8/24 at Cinespace in Hollywood after 10pm. Massive Drink specials for showing up early.
Tags: Black & Gold, Brooklyn, CD Packaging, Knitting Factory, Kurt Vonnegut, M.Ward, Panic at the Disco, Slaughterhouse-Five, Swim Party, The Devil's Orchestra
