Show Review: Gang Gang Dance @ the Mohawk (10/3)

Admittedly, I’ve always been fascinated by the bands that joined up to exhilerate the crowds on this past Monday night, but I can’t say it’s the kind of music I listen to continuously. However, this show at the Mohawk probably changed that for good.

The Larson sisters are known for putting on a great show as Prince Rama, and they were reinforced by Tim Koh, who pulled double duty on the night (usually he’s the bassist for Ariel Pink). Perhaps the most interesting aspect, aside from their Eastern hemisphere-influenced sound, was the video spectacle behind the band.  Multiple camera set up twisted the images of the band, painting them with pshychedelic flourishes and washing them in various phases of light.

There was a bit of danger, when the timid Austin audience almost failed while one of the Larson’s used the sacred trust fall–thank goodness we didn’t drop her.  It was a great performance, with hypnotic chanting and musical differentiation in abundance–all celebrating the band’s release of their latest record, Trust Now.

Gang Gang Dance brought with them a very hyped amount of showmanship, and I felt that throughout the evening they lived up to our expectations.  At times, it was hard to focus, with an unknown member casually twirling about a plastic sack whilst the rest of the group got into the groove (Tim Koh carefully hid in the back).  It’s probably easiest during a GGD show to focus on Liz, as she gyrates and belts out lyrics and chants, but there’s just so much going on that you’ve got to keep your eyes moving.

Surprisingly, Liz left the stage (with plastic bag guy) while the band just focused on blending their worldly music into a more electronically influences jam; it was enough to get the typically indifferent Austin ausience moving about.  We all know that’s a great feat in and of itself. For me, I often wondered about he band’s influences, and about what I was watching, but I left knowing that I wanted more.  I couldn’t peel my eyes away from the stage, and I still can’t get the music out…all this points to an exceptional performance from Prince Rama and Gang Gang Dance.

You can find more sweet pics from Brian @ http://www.photobriangray.com/ganggangdance