Live review: Boy Harsher & Apostille at Broadcast, 24/06
Boy Harsher really are one of the most exciting acts around
at the moment. Lying somewhere between dark electronic and minimal wave with
hints of EBM and techno, their ‘sad dance music’ has a retro feel to it that’s surprisingly
authentic, but that’s not all. Given their background in film, Jae Matthews and
Gus Muller excel in creating visceral moods that you can fully immerse yourself
in, so you know that seeing them live for the first time is bound to be an
experience.
Having taken shelter for the sticky summer rain outside, tonight’s support comes from local act Apostille, AKA the alter ego of Michael Kasparis. I was expecting a dose of synthpop from what I’d previously heard of his stuff, but his live performance turns out to be something else altogether. Before any music even kicks in, we’re subjected to an episode of unhinged shrieking to the point where it’s like watching someone having a nervous breakdown. Like everyone else in the room I’m not quite sure what to make of it at first, but he eventually has us all nodding along to the upbeat electronic workings of ‘Feel Bad’ similar to the likes of Depeche Mode.
Though the improvised outbursts continue, Kasparis is made to seem more approachable as the set wears on by virtue of the fact that he’s also a pure class comedy act. Offhand comments like “You should all come to my house later” and a sarcastic rant about living in Paisley get us all laughing, and he doesn’t hold back in calling a member of the audience a ‘smartarse’ for knowing what a MIDI cable is when the PA dramatically cuts out for a second time. Tunes about flying with dolphins and Mother Teresa ensue, and as he rages about the place (limb-flailing, feet-stomping, mic-bashing – you name it) it’s unsurprising to later discover that he comes from a hardcore punk background. In any case, Apostille is a living breathing example of the idea that art should make you uncomfortable, and his abrasive noise definitely got people talking afterwards.
The scene is well set for Boy Harsher when they arrive on the almost non-existent stage. Thanks to the low ceiling and body heat in Broadcast’s crowded basement, it’s exactly the kind of claustrophobic atmosphere that makes everything feel up close and personal. Instantly taking over with the eeriness of ‘A Realness’, Jae’s distinctive husky tone and Gus’ live setup produce the same clean precision as they do on record before 'Fate' - the first track to be played from the duo’s most recent release Careful - gets a strong reaction as its pulsing bassline and stabbing beats get under our skin.
It’s a slow burn, but the result is no less hypnotic for it. Permanently obscured by a red-tinted haze, both members of the duo are in a trance of their own as Jae loses herself in the moment and Gus jerks his head with every drum machine hit. Melodic tracks ‘Westerners’ and ‘L.A.’ meanwhile stimulate motion with their Yello-inspired percussive samples, and as songs fade into each other there’s a sense of detachment and bitter sweet escapism that is only sharpened by the grittiness of ‘Come Closer’.
Apart from its obvious synth groove, ‘Tears’ is another standout in how it possesses an underlying feeling of resentment and reveals Boy Harsher’s true intentions - part of what makes Careful such a complex album is the way it deals with themes like dysfunctional relationships and tenderness, and though Jae’s vocals may sound distant, there’s immediate disclosure in their narrative that becomes all the more evocative when shared directly in real time. The biggest game-changer of the night, however, is ‘Modulations’. As murmurs of spoken word scatter alongside yelps and increasing distortion, this track is so primal in its execution that it allows the set to reach a thrilling climax until we’re seeing red.
Following the encore, an intimate show eventually ends with the intense vibrating energy of ‘Pain’ and its incantations of “Breaks rhythm”. Boy Harsher balance tension and release with a dark sensuality that’s effortless, and after tonight there's no doubt in my mind that they're even better in the flesh.
Image credits: Elyse Miller & Barry Douglas
Jul 13 2019
Having taken shelter for the sticky summer rain outside, tonight’s support comes from local act Apostille, AKA the alter ego of Michael Kasparis. I was expecting a dose of synthpop from what I’d previously heard of his stuff, but his live performance turns out to be something else altogether. Before any music even kicks in, we’re subjected to an episode of unhinged shrieking to the point where it’s like watching someone having a nervous breakdown. Like everyone else in the room I’m not quite sure what to make of it at first, but he eventually has us all nodding along to the upbeat electronic workings of ‘Feel Bad’ similar to the likes of Depeche Mode.
Though the improvised outbursts continue, Kasparis is made to seem more approachable as the set wears on by virtue of the fact that he’s also a pure class comedy act. Offhand comments like “You should all come to my house later” and a sarcastic rant about living in Paisley get us all laughing, and he doesn’t hold back in calling a member of the audience a ‘smartarse’ for knowing what a MIDI cable is when the PA dramatically cuts out for a second time. Tunes about flying with dolphins and Mother Teresa ensue, and as he rages about the place (limb-flailing, feet-stomping, mic-bashing – you name it) it’s unsurprising to later discover that he comes from a hardcore punk background. In any case, Apostille is a living breathing example of the idea that art should make you uncomfortable, and his abrasive noise definitely got people talking afterwards.
The scene is well set for Boy Harsher when they arrive on the almost non-existent stage. Thanks to the low ceiling and body heat in Broadcast’s crowded basement, it’s exactly the kind of claustrophobic atmosphere that makes everything feel up close and personal. Instantly taking over with the eeriness of ‘A Realness’, Jae’s distinctive husky tone and Gus’ live setup produce the same clean precision as they do on record before 'Fate' - the first track to be played from the duo’s most recent release Careful - gets a strong reaction as its pulsing bassline and stabbing beats get under our skin.
It’s a slow burn, but the result is no less hypnotic for it. Permanently obscured by a red-tinted haze, both members of the duo are in a trance of their own as Jae loses herself in the moment and Gus jerks his head with every drum machine hit. Melodic tracks ‘Westerners’ and ‘L.A.’ meanwhile stimulate motion with their Yello-inspired percussive samples, and as songs fade into each other there’s a sense of detachment and bitter sweet escapism that is only sharpened by the grittiness of ‘Come Closer’.
Apart from its obvious synth groove, ‘Tears’ is another standout in how it possesses an underlying feeling of resentment and reveals Boy Harsher’s true intentions - part of what makes Careful such a complex album is the way it deals with themes like dysfunctional relationships and tenderness, and though Jae’s vocals may sound distant, there’s immediate disclosure in their narrative that becomes all the more evocative when shared directly in real time. The biggest game-changer of the night, however, is ‘Modulations’. As murmurs of spoken word scatter alongside yelps and increasing distortion, this track is so primal in its execution that it allows the set to reach a thrilling climax until we’re seeing red.
Following the encore, an intimate show eventually ends with the intense vibrating energy of ‘Pain’ and its incantations of “Breaks rhythm”. Boy Harsher balance tension and release with a dark sensuality that’s effortless, and after tonight there's no doubt in my mind that they're even better in the flesh.
Image credits: Elyse Miller & Barry Douglas
Share this review
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Shares
Asp - Zaubererbruder Live & Extended is available at POPONAUT from 19,95€