Yeasayer’s first studio album All Hour Cymbals was released in 2007 by label We Are Free with their first single 2080 receiving national attention.
After the release of their second studio album Odd Blood on the 9th of February this year, Yeasayer embarked on a tour. They played their first gig in Birmingham, England on Tuesday this week.
Yaesayer Play in Glasgow
The converted church ‘Òran Mór’ (meaning great melody of life or big song) in the centre of Glasgow’s west end was the venue on 17th February for Yeasayer’s solitary Scottish tour date. The one hour set at Òran Mór in Glasgow was short. But during that slot, the eclectic crowd of hip-earthy sorts were swept into an electro multiplicity of sound and responded with dancing, chants and enthusiasm.
Yeasayer had casually arrived on stage as silhouettes to the pink and blue slightly psychedelic arch lighting behind them. The voice distortion on first song The Children immediately created an ‘other worldly’ futuristic atmosphere.
One young Jedward look-alike managed to walk onto stage and became part of the show; dancing in his own little universe, whilst Anand Wilder and Chris Keating, the lead vocalists, laughed and continued on without a hitch. Keating described the ‘Jedward’ look-alike as his future son, (who admittedly did resemble him) travelling back in time to come to his gig and compared his quaffed hair to the bass player's Ira Wolf Tuton.
Yeasayer have been known to self-describe their music as “Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel.” [1] But their music has also been described as ‘experimental rock’, ‘psychedelic pop’, ‘indie rock’, ‘futurist world tribal’, ‘multi-cultural’, ‘ethereal spiritualist’ or a crazy amalgam of all.
Yeasayer Transcends Genre
In actual fact, their blend of music with synthesizers, echo, electronic texturing, voice distortion, ethereal harmonising combining chants from religious rites, a bit of 80’s rhythm, percussion, drum beats and guitars seems to transcend all genres.
Bassist, Ira Wolf Tuton believes that once bands are in genres, it’s very hard for them to redefine themselves. He backed up the bands choice to create a more ‘pop’ feel to their second album Odd Blood, “You’ve got to not be scared to go in different directions.” [2]
An Eclectic Blend of Music, Theatre and Visuals
Lead vocalist Chris Keating’s Jagger-esque movements, staccato vocals and skinny suit provided some theatricals to the show in direct contrast to the beautiful melodic vocals of Anand Wilder who was dressed in a camouflage jumpsuit. The sounds and visuals all managed to blend harmoniously together emphasising the contrasts, extreme eclectic blend and richness of their music.
The single Ambling Alp with its Club Tropicana 80's style synths, rhythm and a catchy chorus proved popular with the Glasgow crowd. As did the electro pop O.N.E.
The band returned to stage for their obligatory encore of two final songs, thanked the audience politely and left ,destined for their third tour date in Ireland. Bright lights were flipped on instantly and the crowd moved upstairs to the bar at Òran Mór after a performance that ended all too soon.
Anand Wilder has said of their music that “We wanted to put things together in new and interesting ways.”[3] With this genre-defying brand of sounds, they have more than surpassed their objectives.
Quotes:
1,2 & 3: Alternative Music
Jane Alexandra Cormack - Jane currently works as a director and facilitator of her own company, Rhythm In Colour. These workshops connect women through creativity ...
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