Deerhoof
December 4, 2007
The NADA Art Fair
Better Than: The Mojitos I had last night
Ever get the feeling that everything is surreal while watching a band? Sometimes it's because the band has a live show that it's incapable of capturing on a recording and other times it's just because you've had one too many…
Well last night, I think it was a delightful combination of both. Deerhoof took the stage while I was still in the actual fair checking out over 100 galleries from various parts of the world. The light, breathy voice of Satomi Matsuzaki, the lead singer, drifted into the fair luring visitors outside to the veranda one by one. Even more irresistible in person, Matsuzaki commanded the stage in an unexpected way. Her diminutive stature only lent itself to the unconventionality of the band.
At times a bit spasmodic and condensed, Deerhoof has come to be the epitome of “art rock”. Sophisticated music set against serene singing is what captured the attention of a packed audience – that and people dancing with over sized fruit. A bit confused?
Long time fans of Deerhoof would have recognized the artwork of Ken Kagami, who designed the cover of their album, Milk Man. Not only was he in attendance, but his artwork lined the stage and became props for two lucky audience members who danced on stage while the band played. As the band began to leave the stage, an overwhelming chorus of “one more song” erupted, and the band returned for an encore, and then everyone returned to boozing. -- Ashley Rousseau
Critic's Notebook:
Random Detail: One of the Stooges was in the audience.
