Celebrating the new release of the band's history, 2007-2011, (via Don Giovanni Records), the revival of PS Eliot is a welcome surprise. Given the Crutchfield sisters' penchant for moving forward, it was totally unexpected, but with most of their current fan base likely having never seen the band, it easily escaped the usual reunion show webs of nostalgia. At one point, Katie Crutchfield stated that their only LA appearance was a house show in Long Beach, and marveled at the packed Echo. Along with sister Allison, Will Granger, and Katherine Simonetti, the quartet was sharp and focused tearing through their catalog with a visible glee, and little rust evident in this tour kickoff.
Doing the opening honors was SF doom merchants Miserable, led by Kristina Esfandiari, (see also: King Woman), making a rare LA appearance. With a stark, intense set, they raised an admirable bar for the evening. Local favorites Upset filled in the middle without missing a beat, their buzz saw pop providing liftoff, and the bonus was getting to hear a clutch of new songs, which hopefully will be out next year.
Nestled on a hillside in Glassell Park, Los Angeles, the humble abode of Eloy Lugo and Ali Koehler served once again as host to an electrifying evening of acoustic music and comedy. Putting their own particular stamp on the house show scene, the evening encapsulated their family approach to crafting shows, featuring a stellar lineup, including comedians Kate Berlant, Megan Koester, and a great improv set from Gil Ozeri and John Gemberling. Representing the music side were Kyle Gilbride and current tour mates Girlpool and Waxahatchee.
On the music side, the ball got rolling with an acoustic appearance from Kyle Gilbride, member of Swearin' and Indie producer of note. Cutting down to the core of his songs raised the emotional stakes, and a moving take on "Curdled" raised a high bar for the evening to come. When misfortune struck and he went blank on the lyrics for "Empty Head", it couldn't have happened in a better place, as Waxahatchee's Katie Crutchfield was perfectly placed for prompts. He pulled it off, and if anything, it underlined the familial nature of the evening.
New Philadelphia residents Girlpool returned to their home base, previewing songs from their forthcoming LP, Before The World Was Big, and their guitar and bass sound, heavy on the harmonies, is just right for the setting. The title track and "Chinatown" stood out, as well as an eagerly received version of "Plants and Worms" from last year's self-titled EP. Sadly, after this LP comes out, moments like this will become all to rare, and are to be cherished. Girlpool aficionado Willow Smith made the scene, adding an extra panache to the proceedings.
Setting the stage for a sold out appearance at the Roxy, Katie Crutchfield dialed up Waxahatchee magic in solo form, working through an acoustic set before a locked in audience, and the major focus point became reminding oneself to breathe. Not content with her barely a month old Ivy Tripp, Crutchfield premiered a brand new song, along with acoustic renditions of Ivy tracks, "La Loose" and "Summer Of Love", as well as American Weekend standards "Bathtub", "Grass Stain", and finishing with her staple "Noccalula".
Katie Crutchfield announced a final show for Waxahatchee before a well-earned summer break that will find room for the recording of a new LP in addition to plenty of Mai Tais. We've had the treat of watching the band progress from trio to quartet and witnessed the evolution in their sound. But lest one forget, Waxahatchee started as Katie, and this special show took place at New Windsor, NY's Storm King Art Center, an outdoor sculpture garden an hour north of NYC in the bucolic Hudson Valley and featured Katie performing a veritable History Of. Unlike recent full band shows, this solo acoustic outing put the focus on American Weekend, the lo-fi classic that was her first recorded effort under the Waxahatchee moniker. Opening with the first two tracks: "Catfish" and "Grass Stain", before dropping in "Blue, Pt. II" and "Tangled Envisioning" from last year's Cerulean Salt. Sandwiched in between A.W.'s "Michel" and "Magic City Wholesale" was an enchanting new song. Moving over to piano, she essayed old favorite "Noccalula", before turning in another new cut, pausing to comment on her lack of piano chops. One of her strengths is making the most of perceived weaknesses, and an indelible gift for melody is her saving grace. In the case of "Noccalula", the conversational nature of the lyrics teamed with the simplicity of the piano lines reminds one of Neil Young's solo piano ventures. Back on guitar, she pulled out a track from her Great Thunder project with Keith Spencer. Finishing up with a devastating trio from American Weekend, she rolled through the ghostly title track, spun out a heartbreaking "Bathtub", and closed with "I Think I Love You". Look out for a new Waxahatchee LP later in the year, and for Katie Crutchfield to hit the road for a solo tour, followed by a full band outing.
More scenes from the Storm King Art Center, New Windsor, NY:
