The Soft Moon - Led Er Est - Chelsea Wolfe - 2011-10-31 - The Independent SF

The Soft Moon

2011-10-31

The Independent SF

taper: TH1, Olympus LS-5 w/built ins

Setlist

We Are We (1) (2)
Breathe The Fire
Total Decay
Dead Love
Bones
Out Of Time
When It's Over
Circles
Alive
Parallels
Tiny Spiders

encore

Into The Depths 

Impressive as they got into full All Hallow's Eve spirit and played the set wearing clear lucite masks.  Luis continues his amazing display of shirtwear with the Public Image Ltd tee.  The new tracks availed really well, especially Alive, which is shaping out to be the best thing they have done to date, and was pleased to see 'Bones' also appear in the set.  About the only thing we didn't get was 'Phantoms'.

I was wearing a Angry Birds pig mask...you can hear an amusing exchange befor the encore...the significance of this in light of what I was doing (TMQ/Swingin' Pig) not being lost on me.  This recording has quite a bit of audience chatter, which I actually didn't mind at all...there were a group of kids that were very excited and wanted to crash around, but there's also a faction that likes to stand watching in silence, and not be slammed...and as you can imagine, they came to loggerheads.

They only brought 20 copies of their EP, so I ended up having to go to the Captured Tracks site to order my copy.  You should too, if you haven't already!

Opening bands after the jump...

The Soft Moon / Craft Spells - 2011-08-25 - Rickshaw Stop SF

I can't think of a better way to break my dry spell other than posting the setlists for these two wonderful groups.  If you don't already own the CDs/vinyl, PLEASE, PLEASE head over to Captured Tracks' site to purchase these. 

As of this writing, this was the fourth time capturing The Soft Moon and the second for Craft Spells.  Both of these are the usual "TZ0TH1" blends, with an additional twist in that before Craft Spells went on, I inadvertently sprinkled my M10 with essence de Anchor Steam, and while the unit continued to do its fine job capturing tracks, it started to malfunction and gave up the ghost afterwards, so a hearty RIP to my Sony.  I have an Olympus LS-5 on order, let's see how that does.

The Soft Moon
2011-08-25
Rickshaw Stop (Popscene)
San Francisco CA
TZ0TH1 blend

Setlist

Into The Depths
Dead Love
Circles
Breathe The Fire
We Are We
Out Of Time
When It's Over
Parallels
Phantoms
Tiny Spiders



The crowd begged, pleaded, and cajoled for an encore, but there was to be none, with Luis instead inviting everyone to come out to the Independent on Halloween for their EP record release party.

Craft Spells
2011-08-25
Rickshaw Stop (Popscene)
San Francisco CA
TZ0TH1 blend


Setlist


Love Well Spent
Scandinavian Crush
Your Tomb
From The Morning Heat
Beauty Above All
After The Moment
The Fog Rose High
Party Talk
Given The Time
You Should Close The Door

While there was nothing in the way of video from this show, probably due to the dim lighting, I've put together an addendum for all summer 2011 Craft Spell footage that I've managed to scare up.

Enjoy!

Seapony / Catwalk / The Beets / Eternal Summers - 2011-05-29 - Hemlock SF

Seapony
2011-05-29
Hemlock Tavern
San Francisco CA

TZ0 (Sonic Studios) + TH1 (DPA4061s) blend

tracklist

With You
Into The Sea
Dreaming
Where We Go
So Low
I Really Do
Go Away
Blue Star
Always
I Never Would

Complete audio recording (FLACs in zipfile)

20s of (Please) Don't Break Me

Catwalk
2011-05-29                          
Hemlock Tavern 
San Francisco CA

TZ0TH1 blend 


Do It Again
(Please) Don't Break Me
No Room For Love
Home
Angel
All Around
Breaking Away


(song titles in italics are provisionally titled, as these songs are currently unreleased)    


Complete audio recording                
(FLACs in zipfile)

The Beets
2011-05-29
Hemlock Tavern
San Francisco CA


TH1 recording, DPA4061 > Sony PCM-M10


Setlist, need some help with this one 

01
02
Watching TV
04
No Blood
My Bones, My Flesh, and Me
07
08
Cold Lips
10
11

Complete audio recording (FLACs in zipfile)

If you want to watch the Beets hanging up a sign saying "I'd Rather Watch Paint Dry", just click here.

Eternal Summers
2011-05-29
Hemlock Tavern
San Francisco CA
 

TZ0TH1 blend

Setlist, also need some help here.  


Prisoner
Cog
Dye
04
05
06
07
Pogo
Able To
10
Dark Surf

Complete audio recording (FLACs in zipfile)

2011-05-11 - The Soft Moon in London

Video still credit: TheButteflywheels

The Soft Moon
2011-05-11
Lexington Arms
London

Whiskybob recording.
Church Audio CA14 omnis > CA batt box > Edirol R-09HR.

Setlist

Into The Depths
Dead Love
Circles
Breathe The Fire
We Are We
Out Of Time
When It's Over
Parallels
Tiny Spiders
Phantoms


For other May 2011 European video clips...

Beach Fossils / Craft Spells / Melted Toys - 2011-05-05 - Slim's SF

Beach Fossils
2011-05-05
Slim's SF


Setlist


Moments
Vacation
Sometimes  [natski0001]
Wide Awake
unknown
Distance
The Horse  [dburtonMMXI]
Fall Right In [breakdown + bass swap]
Fall Right In
Adversity
Youth  [thehappyone]
Calyer
Lazy Day
Golden Age  [thehappyone]
Daydream  [dburtonMMXI]


Twenty-Four Hours [Joy Div] tease [dburtonMMXI]
Twelve Roses [dburtonMMXI] [thehappyone]

TZ0TH1 blend, FLAC files in zipfile (Sonic Studio DSM-6s/L omnis + Church Audio CA-11 cards)

Featured in reverse order, three brilliant groups, two on Captured Tracks, and the third rumored to be joining in short order.

Both my friend and I were shocked to see a full-fledged moshpit form two-thirds into Beach Fossils set, but apparently this happens on a regular basis.  Some folks have said they sound like Wild Nothing, but in fact it's they who brought them to Captured Tracks, and they have a more 60s beachy/summery sound than their counterparts.  My favorites are Vacation, Calyer, and Daydream, and their energy onstage was impressive, even if the last several songs barely held together.    Support their music, visit the Captured Tracks ordering page and pick up some CDs/vinyl and catch them live!

Craft Spells
2011-05-05
Slim's SF

Setlist

Your Tomb
Scandinavian Crush  [Chuey75]
After The Moment  [Chuey75] [jmsvistrs] [dburtonMMXI] 
The Fog Rose High
Love Well Spent
Party Talk  [Chuey75] [dburtonMMXI] 
From The Morning Heat  [dburtonMMXI]
Given The Time

You Should Close The Door  [thehappyone] 



Full recording [FLAC files in ZIP]  


Craft Spells are rapidly becoming a favorite of many, with their catchy songs and modern moods.  As the kids are wont to say, they killed it in front of a hometown crowd featuring some members of Justin's family, not much more I have to add besides go to the Captured Tracks website and order everything you can get your grubby hands on.

Melted Toys
2011-05-05
Slim's SF
 
Come On
?
Lost Connection
?
Rose Again (MP3 available here)
Wild Waves
Portals  [dburtonMMXI]

Nearly-full recording 


[FLAC files in zipfile, missing start of 'Come On']

For me, these guys were a very pleasant surprise, and illustrates all the absolutely brilliant bands that make San Francisco and the Bay Area home.  A bit bummed that we missed some of the first track Come On, featured on Michael Stock's KXLU 'Part Time Punks' broadcast, since we got to Slim's slightly late and this show (in a departure from normal SF shows) actually started on time.  The second song (don't know the title currently) is probably my favorite.

Will be checking these guys out when they open for Terry Malts (featuring members of Magic Bullets) early next month at the Knockout.  Bought their Underwater Peoples maxi-ep/mini-lp right after their set.

Catwalk and Twin Shadow - 2011-04-19 - Great American Music Hall SF

Nick Hessler of Catwalk  (credit: tz0)

Catwalk
2011-04-19
Great American Music Hall
San Francisco CA

TZ0 recording.  Sonic Studios DSM-6L > Edirol R-09HR.

Setlist

Do It Again
(Please) Don't Break Me
No Room For Love
Always New
Home
All Around
Sun Bleach

Italicized songs are unreleased, so the the titles given for those are provisional.

Download/stream FLACs

Can Mike Sniper and his label do no wrong?  I guess not.  Nick Hessler and compatriots have succeeded in putting Oxnard, CA on the map.  I've heard the term 'beach music' applied to their songs...imagine the Beach Boys fronting a shoegaze group.  Okay, that comparison was a bit lame, but you get thie idea.

I encourage you to browse the Captured Tracks releases page and...buy everything on it...like now.



Twin Shadow
2011-04-19
Great American Music Hall
San Francisco CA

TZ0 recording.  Same as above.

Setlist

Shooting Holes
Tyrant Destroyed
When We're Dancing
Yellow Balloon
Slow
I Can't Wait
At My Heels
Castles In The Snow
Forget

Download/stream FLACs

For various reasons, like arriving a bit late for Catwalk, thus missing the first three songs, and not hitting record properly for Twin Shadow (meaning only caught the last part of 'I Can't Wait' and the last three songs), my own recordings ended up incomplete, but nonetheless I've made these available.  Sorry for dropping the ball on this one.

Download/stream FLACs. (TH1 version).


Given the blog's title derives from one of Twin Shadow's songs, you can imagine I'd be enthused to catch them live again.  And indeed, I was.  George Lewis, Jr had the crowd wrapped around his finger. 
According to this eyewitness report (for some reason this doesn't mention Catwalk), it seems the show may have sold out from people going to see Twin Shadow, even if they were one of the opening acts!

Both Catwalk (on Captured Tracks) and Twin Shadow (on 4AD) were excellent.  In fact, the audience reaction as positive and enthusiastic for Twin Shadow as it were for the headliners The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. 

Link for this is here:  TPOBPAH

Until next time...

Minks - 2011-02-17 - The Satellite Silverlake Los Angeles CA

capture courtesy of fatalblades

Minks
2011-02-17
The Satellite Silverlake
Los Angeles CA

taper: SR

gear: Schoeps MK4 active setup > Nbox > Sony PCM-M10 (wav @ 48KHz 24 bit) > Adobe Audition 1.5 (tracksplits, downsampling to 44.1/16) > FLAC

setlist

Bruises

Kusmi

Funeral Song

Cemetery Rain

Araby

Ophelia

Juniper

Drunk Punks

Audio download (FLACs in zipfile)

A companion piece to my own capture the night before.  A bit re-EQ'ed over the original.

'Funeral Song'

Television...and television

and Hollywood...and Hollywood

Stealing your pulse...stealing your pulse

and breaking your heart...breaking your heart

So long, summertime, I'm not coming back

So long, summertime, and I like it

So long, summertime, I'm not coming back

So long, summertime, and I like it

Falling in love...and falling in love

Stealing your song...and stealing your song

Touching your skin...touching your skin

And kissing your smile...kissing your smile

So long, summertime, I'm not coming back

So long, summertime, and I like it

So long, summertime, I'm not coming back

So long, summertime, and I like it

[Repeat chorus...breaking your heart...]

The similarity these guys have to a certain group from Crawley are in their ability to craft shimmering, catchy, uplifting songs even through their palette tends towards the darker colors.  And that's all I'll say about THAT.

The Soft Moon - 2011-03-18 - Klub Krucial SXSW Austin TX

The Soft Moon
SXSW
2011-03-18
Klub Krucial
Austin TX


Video by Shawn Breen (Mogwaione)
Photos and editing by Shantell Mitchell

I've been looking for any TSM performances (audio or video, basically anything) from SXSW.  Mogwaione replied to one of my recent posts saying that he filmed the Klub Krucial performance, 
and has given me permission to post the link through AMH.

Here Luis can be seen wearing a Screamers T-shirt, yet again showing off his good taste.  He was also fighting losing his voice, not a surprise since he and the rest of group typically give their all for their live shows, even in abbreviated format here due to the number of bands playing.

Setlist

Into The Depths (0:07)
Circles (4:10)
Breathe The Fire (8:08)
We Are We (11:45)
Parallels (15:53)
Tiny Spiders (19:10)

Click on the photo above or go here to view.

More screencaps, this time of bassist Justin Anastasi and synthist Damon Way:

Craft Spells w/The Soft Moon - 2011-04-03 - Vera Project Seattle WA

Photo courtesy of virtualsound

Another show taped by SR of two outstanding Captured Tracks artists, one of course being The Soft Moon, which have been amply covered elsewhere in this here blog, and the other are the excellent Craft Spells, playing selections from their new album 'Idle Labor' for this record release party.


Again, the quality of these recordings should cause your jaw to drop and hit the floor, they put my own meager efforts to shame.  Enjoy!


Craft Spells
2011-04-03
Vera Project
Seattle WA


SR master.  Gear: Schoeps MK4 active setup > Nbox > Sony PCM-M10 (wav @ 48KHz 24 bit) > Adobe Audition 1.5 (tracksplits, normalization, downsampling to 44.1/16 > FLAC

Photo courtesy of virtualsound

Setlist

Love Well Spent
Scandinavian Crush (alt video)
The Fog Rose High
After The Moment (pt 2)
Beauty Above All
Given The Time
Party Talk
You Should Close The Door
From The Morning Heat



Volume got turned up a bit during the second song, I've normalized levels so hopefully this is not noticeable.

Photo courtesy of virtualsound

The Soft Moon

2011-04-03

Vera Project

Seattle WA

SR master.  Same as above.

Setlist

Into The Depths

Dead Love

Circles

Breathe The Fire

We Are We

Out Of Time

When It's Over

Parallels

Tiny Spiders

Coverage on other blog sites:

Finest Kiss:  Genetic Reengineering 
 (video for 'Scandinavian Crush')


Virtual Sound
 (video for the other linked selections)

Wild Nothing with Abe Vigoda - 2011-02-27 - Vera Project Seattle

(photo courtesy of virtualsound)

All I have is joyous-sounding music, the quality of these, as captured by kind contributor and fellow Captured Tracks fan SR with his Schoeps mics, has to be heard to be believed.  You guys are in for a treat!


Wild Nothing
2011-02-27
The Vera Project
Seattle WA

SR master.  Gear: Schoeps MK4 active setup > Nbox > Sony PCM-M10 (wav @ 48KHz 24 bit) > Adobe Audition 1.5 (tracksplits, downsampling to 44.1/16) > FLAC

Setlist

Your Rabbit Feet
Live In Dreams 
Gemini
Confirmation
The Witching Hour
Vulture Like Lovers
Golden Haze
Chinatown
My Angel Lonely
Our Composition Book
Summer Holiday

Full audio recording (FLAC format in zipfile)

(photo courtesy of virtualsound)

Abe Vigoda
2011-02-27
The Vera Project
Seattle WA


SR master, same as above.


Dream Of My Love (Chasing After You)
Throwing Shade
November
Repeating Angel
To Tears
Bear Face
Skeleton
Beverly Slope
We Have To Mask
Sequins


Full audio Recording (FLAC format in zipfile)


Here's coverage of this show on the 'Finest Kiss' blog.

The Soft Moon - 2011-03-30 - 103 Harriet SF

Of course, at this point, I've been well-habituated to The Soft Moon's live set, this being the third time seeing them over a two-month span, but that did not lessen their impact in the slightest, and it was heartening to see people who were obviously not familiar with their material stop and take notice.

We came in a bit late (bad habit, and not normal practice, but we had to get something to eat) but did catch half of Water Boarders set and generally liked what we heard. 

"When It's Over" was played here for only the third time, it was debuted at the Feb 6th show at the Echo and LA and played again on one of their other SoCal dates (Long Beach, I am informed).   It's quite rightly deemed the emotional centerpiece of their album...and this show.

Luis wearing a Bad Brains shirt was a nice touch, which he revealed after the first song (was hot on stage!). 

I can't say enough for how good these guys are, so I won't bore you trying.   Credit goes to the bloke who runs ESWA who turned me onto something that was in my own backyard the whole time.

As for any comments about the headliner, I'll pass.  I refer you instead to Bob Duvet's excellent article, who also has very nice things to say about The Soft Moon.

Setlist
 
Into The Depths
Dead Love
Circles
Breathe The Fire
We Are We
Out Of Time
When It's Over
Parallels
Tiny Spiders

(individual songs linked have their own video clips, 'Into The Depths' and 'Circles' shot by Nakoeth, the rest shot by my friend with his Panasonic TZ7) 

And debuted here, the COMPLETE VIDEO,  shot with my Flip UltraHD at 720p and stabilized with a Ready Steady, I declare this amazing, yes it's weird to make this comment as if it were somebody else filming.  

The Soft Moon - February 2011 shows

 The Soft Moon , Noise Pop 2011.  RIP Luis.

February 2011 was a fairly busy month for me (so busy I forgot that 2010 had passed, apologies for the incorrect labelling!), so I didn't have much in the way of downtime to catch my fellow readers/viewers/listeners up to some of my recent exploits.  So there will be a series of nightly posts which should allow me to catch up.

By far, one of the best discoveries of the past few years have to be The Soft Moon.  Led by Luis Vasquez, and also featuring Justin Anastassi (who also plays in Veil Veil Vanish) on bass and Damon Way on keyboards, they have astonished listeners and electrified audiences since they appeared out of the blue to claim the legacy for darkwave music in San Francisco set forth by bands like Chrome and Tuxedomoon (obscuros would also throw in Swell, but even I haven't heard any of their work).  But I ultimately think they have their own unique sound and approach, you'll just have to listen and form your own opinions.

You can go to a hundred other places if you want to get your fill in for superlative reviews; all I can tell you is that the moment I heard their self-titled album, I knew they were going to be something special.  And it doesn't hurt to be on one of the hottest labels presently operating, Captured Tracks.  If the hairs on the back of your neck don't stand up for "Into The Depths" and "We Are We", check your pulse, it has stopped.  And as amazing as their recorded output is, they're even better live, if you can believe it.

Anyway, I have several recordings to feature here, so without further ado, here they are.

SETLIST FOR ALL SHOWS

Into The Depths
 Dead Love
 Circles
 Breathe The Fire
We Are We
Out Of Time
Parallels
 Tiny Spiders 

2011-02-06  The Echo  Los Angeles CA

taper: bcingyou, Sony ECM-990F > M-Audio Microtrack II (audio)

Kodak Zi8 (video) (720p, synced to above audio source)

Complete video recording

(on YouTube)

Alternate versions of Into The Depths, Dead Love, and Circles  (soldiersdisease)

Alternate version of Circles (0ariana0maria0)

Yet another alternate version of Circles (fatalblades)

Alternate version of We Are We (0ariana0maria0)

Alternate version of Tiny Spiders (soldiersdisease)

Pitchfork.com pro-shot footage of Tiny Spiders, in black and white

2011-02-10  Milk Bar  San Francisco CA

taper: TH1, Sony PCM-M10 built in mics 

Flip UltraHD (video) (720p, above audio source synced to digicam audio)

What Duvet Says blog review

Complete video recording 

(on YouTube)

 Alternate version of Into The Depths (blaire789, 22s)
 Alternate version of Dead Love (fuhserous, iPhone '8mm' app)
 Alternate version of Circles (phantonleader, HD)
 Alternate version of Breathe The Fire (bobduvet)

2011-02-25  Noise Pop  Cafe Du Nord  San Francisco CA

tapers: TZ0 + TH1 blend, Sonic Studios DSM mics (audio)

Flip UltraHD (720p video), synced to audio source

Complete video recording
(on YouTube)

Alternate version of We Are We (mhc660, HD)
 Alternate version of Out Of Time (mhc660, HD)
 Alternate version of Parallels (mhc660, HD)

All known footage of The Soft Moon is linked here.