Show Review: Destroyer @ The Mohawk (9/24)

Wednesday night was a packed evening, with tons going on in Austin. But, I know I’ll see Thee Oh Sees at least four more times this year, minimum, so I went with my heart and something a little more rare, Destroyer. Not only that, but we got an extra special treat, as flight delays for Jennifer Castle meant we were treated to an Austin great, Thor Harris & Friends. Read on for some brief thoughts and Brian’s photos.

I was bummed at first to miss Jennifer Castle, but when I realized Thor (Harris) and Friends would be filling in, I quickly changed my tune. Thor’s one of Austin’s great treasures, though he rarely plays out for his own sets. He’s worked with Shearwater, Bill Callahan, Swans and many more, but his set was merely a xylophone extravaganza. It started with just Thor, patiently working two, then four, mallets across his varying xylophones. He was then joined by two friends to craft an ambient spectacle. For me, I was amazed at his patience, and that of his friends. I know that I’d find it hard to extract such notes time and time again, just building sound. But, the trio excelled in their compositions, quieting an often noisy Austin crowd. They closed out their set by inviting two friends from Hawk and a Hacksaw on stage to turn the trio into a group of friends. Thor will be playing again in town soon, so keep an eye out.

And what can I really say about Dan Bejar, aka Destroyer? I’ve seen him countless times, though only three times with Destroyer…this being by far the best experience. It wasn’t that he was more communicative, as he rarely talks. It wasn’t his distinctive voice as he barreled through a great deal of his catalog. What sold me was how excellently the band (7 members) crafted beauty that bordered on cacophony. From the blips of the horns, to the sheer volume, they always seemed like they were spinning noisily into chaos, yet they pulled it in at just the right moments, honing their touches to excite an already exuberant crowd. As for Dan, he does his thing. He seems more like a visionary conductor, often crouching down so the band can absorb some of the limelight, which they deserved…particularly the saxophonist. I left feeling like I had gotten a glimpse at something rare, something few get to see…so I’m glad I chose to attend.

PICTURE TIME!