Dirty-Projectors-1-web

Dirty Projectors have recently been in the limelight of many well-established music publications. Within the last year, David Longstreth and crew have set themselves atop a list of artists that many consider nearly impossible to categorize. Flashes of Talking Heads, The Supremes, Nico, Justin Timberlake, Husker Du and probably any credible musical act of the last 200 years comprise the influences of the Dirty Projector's unorthodox groove.

On November 9 at the Granada Theater in Lawrence, Longstreth took the stage, his tall frame draped in a white cardigan atop a navy blue and pumpernickel plaid shirt. (Actually, only two members of the band weren’t wearing plaid, making identification a bit difficult.) Most of the set list comprised of tracks off their instant classic Bitte Orca. “Cannibal Resource” and “Temecula Sunrise” displayed the band's attention to detail and harmony. Harmonies that akin the female members of Dirty Projectors to Diva Plava Laguna, the blue alien opera singer from the 5th Element: complex, meticulous and nearly impossible to believe unless you see it for yourself. Although Amber Coffman was the most enthusiastic and entertaining lady on stage, it was Angel Deradoorian’s calm and confident demeanor that subtly garnered the attention of the crowd. Deradoorian switched from keyboard to Fender Stratocaster and back while simultaneously harmonizing with the band. She and Longstreth's duet “Two Doves” on a damaged acoustic was the most flawless and controlled execution of the show.

Unfortunately, the two most recognizable songs from Bitte Orca fell flat. “Stillness is a Move” proved disjointed and rushed from the gates. And the final song* “Knotty Pine” suffered the same short comings, as it was obvious from the frustrated brow of Deradoorian glaring at what she may have considered an over-enthusiastic Coffman on the other side of the stage. Despite these instances, the band still managed to show why they are one of the most critically acclaimed and talented acts today.

*It must be noted that before the final song, Rathaus Graphic Designer/Contributor Scott Starrett yelled relentlessly for his favorite song “Knotty Pine.” David Longstreth's response: “Well, I’d hate to not oblige that.” With a voice that carries, Starrett drew the gazes of the entire crowd our way and it is my belief that the botched execution of the song may have been a result of our overenthusiastic fan. If so, we apologize for startling you Dirty Projectors.

Dirty-Projectors-2-web

Dirty-Projectors-3-web

Dirty-Projectors-4-web

photos by: Scott Starrett words by: Bene Garcia" />Live Recap: Dirty Projectors | The Rathaus

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Live Recap: Dirty Projectors

November 17, 2009 Music

Dirty-Projectors-1-web

Dirty Projectors have recently been in the limelight of many well-established music publications. Within the last year, David Longstreth and crew have set themselves atop a list of artists that many consider nearly impossible to categorize. Flashes of Talking Heads, The Supremes, Nico, Justin Timberlake, Husker Du and probably any credible musical act of the last 200 years comprise the influences of the Dirty Projector’s unorthodox groove.

On November 9 at the Granada Theater in Lawrence, Longstreth took the stage, his tall frame draped in a white cardigan atop a navy blue and pumpernickel plaid shirt. (Actually, only two members of the band weren’t wearing plaid, making identification a bit difficult.) Most of the set list comprised of tracks off their instant classic Bitte Orca. “Cannibal Resource” and “Temecula Sunrise” displayed the band’s attention to detail and harmony. Harmonies that akin the female members of Dirty Projectors to Diva Plava Laguna, the blue alien opera singer from the 5th Element: complex, meticulous and nearly impossible to believe unless you see it for yourself. Although Amber Coffman was the most enthusiastic and entertaining lady on stage, it was Angel Deradoorian’s calm and confident demeanor that subtly garnered the attention of the crowd. Deradoorian switched from keyboard to Fender Stratocaster and back while simultaneously harmonizing with the band. She and Longstreth’s duet “Two Doves” on a damaged acoustic was the most flawless and controlled execution of the show.

Unfortunately, the two most recognizable songs from Bitte Orca fell flat. “Stillness is a Move” proved disjointed and rushed from the gates. And the final song* “Knotty Pine” suffered the same short comings, as it was obvious from the frustrated brow of Deradoorian glaring at what she may have considered an over-enthusiastic Coffman on the other side of the stage. Despite these instances, the band still managed to show why they are one of the most critically acclaimed and talented acts today.

*It must be noted that before the final song, Rathaus Graphic Designer/Contributor Scott Starrett yelled relentlessly for his favorite song “Knotty Pine.” David Longstreth’s response: “Well, I’d hate to not oblige that.” With a voice that carries, Starrett drew the gazes of  the entire crowd our way and it is my belief that the botched execution of the song may have been a result of our overenthusiastic fan. If so, we apologize for startling you Dirty Projectors.

Dirty-Projectors-2-web

Dirty-Projectors-3-web

Dirty-Projectors-4-web

photos by: Scott Starrett
words by: Bene Garcia

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2 Comments

Currently there are "2 comments" on this Article:

  1. square jordan says:
    November 17, 2009 at 11:43 am

    My friend must have yelled “Slayer!” at the same time that Scott was requesting Knotty Pine, cause the singer’s response (“well I’d hate to not oblige that”) got our hopes high and set us up for serious disappointment. But the show was far from disappointing! good recap, Rathaus.

  2. admin says:
    November 17, 2009 at 11:49 am

    Thanks for the kind words and for reading The Rathaus! Much love KJHK.

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