Show Review: Pure Bathing Culture @ Red7 (1/27)

We were all fearing the worst, with the impending doom of a second ice-capade invading the city of Austin on the certain horizon.  But, like most great cities with great people, we donned our heavy coats, scarves and beanies, making our way to Red 7 for a great evening of music.  

Read on for more thoughts featuring pics from the cool old guy with the funny hat.

I showed up early to catch our friends in She Sir.  Personally, I think they’re one of the most underrated acts in Austin, but I’m hoping the up-coming release of their album, Go Guitars will change that. Watching the show, I couldn’t help but think of the classic cliché of “substance over style,” which embodies the band perfectly…and I mean that in the  most respectful way possible.  Their tunes don’t require a swinging of guitars or an erratic bass player bouncing across the stage, they’re simply just incredible songs.  Russell’s vocals are soft, and the ringing guitars find a perfect home in the swirling indie-pop the band has created.  I continue to be impressed by how much they’ve grown, and I swoon to every note they create.

La Luz popped up next, and I approached the set with a little bit of trepidation. Their album, It’s Alive, had some really great songs, but I sort of felt like it was a little bit one note in the long run.  Live, however, that was not the case. The girls owned the stage, and the audience, who packed in to catch a glimpse of the act we had tragically missed due to tour difficulties.  It was a fast-paced set, providing the audience with energy to carry us through the night.  Their set left me with the feeling that I had somehow missed the point in listening to their record, which I aim to correct by playing it several times through today.

In the end, Pure Bathing Culture were the perfect night-cap.  Their musical styling lives in the realm of like-minded acts such as Beach House, though I feel like there’s more of a pop element in songs like “Pendulum.”  For me, the great difference is that they seem to have a song that’s been fleshed out to a fuller extent; it ends up making their songs much more accessible.  My favorite of their live set has to be “Lucky One.”  Thinking upon it, I can’t help but to classify the band as a more bad ass version of Wilson Phillips.  Say what you want, but owning a great harmony, and pushing things further with careful instrumentation will win every time.  Plus, watching Sarah own the stage never hurts the eyes.

Check below for photos from resident bad ass/beaver hat-wearer, Brian Gray.