Two years ago DeVotchKa played a spirited show at Great American Music Hall and last week they were back at the same venue with some brand new tunes. Work kept me from being able to review the show but photographer turned contributing writer Marc Fong stepped up for double duty. Here's his photos and review of the show.
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| DeVotchKa @ Great American Music Hall 9/24/2018 photo by Marc Fong |
Indie-folk faves DeVotchKa brought their unique Gypsy rock sound to Great American Music Hall last Monday night in support of the release of their most recent album, This Night Falls Forever.
It's been seven years since the Denver based band released a new album (though each member of the quartet has been working on music in some form) and This Night Falls Forever does not disappoint. The songs, though new, are dreamily familiar because each one is so distinctly DeVotchKa.
The album is what you would expect from this exceptional band: hauntingly poignant lyrics over a sprawling musicscape. Epic in depth and sound, the band's poetry is undeniable. There is an expansive cinematic sound to the album that is not surprising given the band's history with composing for films ("Little Miss Sunshine" and "Crazy. Stupid. Love" for example). From the cheery highs ("Straight Shot") to the longing lows ("Break Up Song"), This Night Falls Forever showcases the band's musical expertise, creativeness and depth.
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| DeVotchKa @ Great American Music Hall 9/24/2018 photo by Marc Fong |
Their live show, too, was a fantastic example of how talented these musicians really are and seeing the band live does not disappoint either. The band members are masters of their craft and versatile to boot. While front-person Nick Urata (lead vocals, guitar, thereim, piano, etc, etc.) drives the poetry behind the lyrics, each of the member's individual skills makes the band so uniquely DeVotchKa.
Tom Hagerman, a skilled violinist and accordion player is a wonder to watch on stage. The keening of his violin adds a melancholy beauty to the band's sound. Jeanie Schroder King (sousaphone, bass, vocals, flute, etc.) contributes a bit of cheery flightiness to songs. Shawn King (drums, percussion, accordion, trumpet) not only sets the tempo which highlights each song's theme but it can be either uplifting or sorrowful.
The band opened with the first track off of their 2011 album (100 Lovers), "The Alley". "The Alley " is a great DeVotchKa because it's a slow burn but never quiet hits a full crescendo, signaling that there is more to come. And indeed, there was a lot more to come. Urata, clad in a black ring-, masters coattails --perhaps a throwback to the band's burlesque days--was a delight to see sing and perform on any of the various instruments he was armed with. His vocals were nostalgic, dreamy and passionate.
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| DeVotchKa @ Great American Music Hall 9/24/2018 photo by Marc Fong |
The band worked seamlessly with each other, changing instruments with ease at all the right points. As a fan of classical music, Hagerman always impresses me with his ability to make the violin sound so modern and eclectic.
It was a treat to see some of my favorites live, but it was equally amazing to hear new DeVotchKa songs live. I caught myself singing along with "Straight Shot" even though I had heard the song only a couple times. DeVotchKa's performance is like a dream: you're never a stranger in a strange land, but rather, you are a familiar visitor in a wonderful dream. Even when the song is not a DeVotchKa song, one cannot help but recognize they are in DeVotchKa territory. For example, the band played a familiar track which I did not fully appreciate as a Psychedelic Fur song until midway through. The band's performance of "Love My Way" was a respectable cover but still distinctly DeVotchKa.
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| DeVotchKa @ Great American Music Hall 9/24/2018 photo by Marc Fong |
It was clear that I wasn't the only person enjoying the show which was filled mostly with songs from their fifth (A Mad & Faithful Telling), sixth (100 Lovers) and seventh (This Night Falls Forever) studio albums.
The crowd was packed tight, dancing and basking in the specialness of some amazing musicians in San Francisco last Monday night. The last leg of their current tour ends on October 7th before DeVotchKa brings their magic across the pond.
This Night Falls Forever is out now.
1. The Alley
2. Angles
3. Let Me Sleep
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| DeVotchKa @ Great American Music Hall 9/24/2018 photo by Marc Fong |
5. 100 Lovers
6. Contraband
7. All The Sand in all the Sea
8. Head Honcho
9. The Clockwise Witness
10. Break Up Song
11. My Little Despot
12. Love My Way
13. Straight Shot
14. Love Letter
15. Enemy Guns
16. Basso Profundo
17. Empty Vessels
18. How it Ends
19. Ranchero
review written by Marc Fong
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