The Echo wasn’t very crowded. It’s quaint charm can be attributed to its ability to produce raw intimacy. Band members flit about in the audience; a casual convening of art and music enthusiasts enjoying a subtle night out provides an easy listening atmosphere for eager ears.
A Canadian quartet opens the show to a meager, but silently growing, crowd and approaches the challenge with enthusiasm. Their name is Hot Panda, and it’s their first time in California. They joke about their disappointment over the absence of Jake Gyllenhaal from the attendees (apparently he had been invited on their blog), and theatrically set the stage for their experimental, up-tempo, and often uncouth experimental indie pop. The lead singer’s voice is interesting; reminiscent of Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. It’s slightly aggressive, high-pitched, and often indiscernible, but so entertaining simultaneously. Their spontaneity seemed to know no bounds as they frolicked about on stage, dramatically gesturing with various instruments and endearingly asking “Panda, ready?” prior to the introduction of a new song. Their sweet-sounding din was melodious and trance-like; a reflection of their synchronicity. Their band members are also extremely down to earth (a trait I observed when I floated over to their merch corner to praise them for their didactic performance. They offered me a copy of their vinyl EP How Come I’m Dead, which I intend to review, and have available for the next installment of Scratch’d Vinyl.
Although the Hot Panda set was enthralling, the second act was the band I had been anxiously anticipating all evening. I have been an avid Rumspringa listener since my brilliant friends took me to a gig they played with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes in 2009. But the band I was about to be privy to was of a completely different caliber. The Rumspringa I had previously known and loved was comprised of two members: a guitarist and lead vocalist (Joey) and drummer (Itaru). But this Rumspringa was completely transformed, minus one constant, Joey. Prior to the opening of the venue, I had a chance to meet the new band members–Andrew, Cecilia, and Cardo–during a very casual interview I conducted with them in an alley off of Sunset Boulevard. The interview will be available on PopWreckoning in the coming days. I anxiously awaited their set with a cigarette, contemplating how different their sound would actually be after discussing it with them before their sound check.
And in all honesty, they surprised me. Not that they were less groovy, but they were a little heavier melodically in a voluptuous manner. Cecilia’s back-up vocals and additional guitar riffs give their music a sensuous undertone, and the addition of bass adds a sinister and intriguing foundation for their funky psychedelic rock. Joey’s croons are as whimsical and as spine-tingling as they’ve ever been, but with the accompaniment of sound much different from the Rumspringa of old.
They are indeed, a completely different band, and I would definitely recommend catching the four-some hard at work.
