Sure, we were dejected on Saturday after the USA soccer team fell 2-1 to Ghana in overtime and ended their hopes of World Cup glory. Then we ate a consolation burger and went to see Sleigh Bells and all was right with the world.
For nearly an hour, Alexis Krauss screamed, shrieked, and bellowed like a banshee over the drone of Derek E. Milller’s guitar and a wash of electronic drum tracks. Bathed in smoke and light, Sleigh Bells played songs from their debut record, Treats, which has been in heavy rotation here at FP since its release in May. And we make no secret of our fascination with Alexis, who made our list of Top 5 American Women in music. She said little to the audience between songs, though she dropped down twice to dance with the crowd. And after the last song she threw her water bottle into the audience. We didn’t catch the plastic garter belt, but a few drops did splash our faces. Or was that just our sweat?
Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells @CreatorsProject
The Sleigh Bells show was the highlight of The Creators Project, a music and technology festival sponsored by Vice Magazine and Intel and housed in two floors of a warehouse in the Meat Packing District. (Crowd estimate: 40% Brooklyn, 60% Manhattan or tourist). Other highlights included The Rapture, Gang Gang Dance, and Interpol, whose sets on a loading dock stage were visible and audible from The Highline, the manicured overpass park that runs from Gansevoort Street to 34th street. We also caught a few songs from Die Antwoord, and waited on line for drinks behind Alan Palomo, a.k.a. Neon Indian, who recently made our list of Top 5 One Man Bands. We wanted to share one of our maxims of manhood: When life gives you lemons, make a Citrus Collins. But Mr. Indian was busy working his charm with a person of the female persuasion. Ah, the perils of indie stardom.
Interpol @CreatorsProject
After our long day of soccer and music (yes, we are so oppressed) we left before the not-quite-a-secret closing set from M.I.A. Oh, well. Next time.
Besides three stages of music, the Creators Project included art installations with colors and lights and 3-D effects that warranted posted warnings for epileptics. Thankfully, there were no seizures and we didn’t have to use our training in neurology. There were also laptops scattered throughout the venue, though they didn’t seem to draw much traffic. We feel their pain.
Our favorite piece was a video sculpture dedicated to the music of the xx. The exhibit replicated the technique of sound isolation used to record and mix albums. Here, three screens on columns played footage of each of the three band members performing songs from their eponymous debut, one of our favorite records of 2009. Below each screen, speakers played each band members’ vocals and instruments (bass, guitar, electronic drums) in isolation.
Oh, and there was gelato. We had the chocolate. And the mint.
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