Churches with a flying ‘V”, after the break…

CHVRCHES & Still Corners

Fonda Theatre, Hollywood (05/31/13)

Hype. In Austin, they had a entire ‘Hotel’ dedicated to it.

Scottish export CHVRCHES, buzzband of 2013, was on everyone’s mouth after they played there. The breakout band of the festival…in my opinion. Quickly after were picked up quickly by the ‘Majors’, made household blogging names, and started selling out popular venues across the nations in minutes. I’d expect that from harden veterans, but these kids were rookies with a single EP & some covers to their name. Makes major artists jealous. This showcase at the Fonda was going to be one of those shows where Hype conflicts with Fact. Were Chvrches (Churches w/ a ‘V’) more than Hype?

If I would’ve saw them in Austin, my question would’ve been answered with an emphatic: Yes. Also, this write up would’ve appeared on our that review roundup. Chose Airborne Toxic Event & Fitz over taking a chance. One of my only festival regrets. The book wasn’t closed. Took a few months but Lauren, Iain, & Martin certainly did put on a spectacular show with their minimal / growing catalog. We got every single track in the book: “Recover“, “The Mother We Share“, etc.

Here is their set list:

Lies
We Sink
Now Is Not the Time
Lungs
Gun
Night Sky
Science and Vision
Strong Hand
Tether
Recover
Tide
The Mother We Share
Encore: I Would Die 4 V (Prince cover)

They ended up apologizing for it multiple times, but no one in the Fonda Theatre that night seemed to care. The beats were deep, intricate, electric, accompanying Lauren’s siren’s call. Their music is really out of the sci-fi flick of my dream. My world feels more “Blade Runner” with each passing second. Replicants and all. Their fusion of EDM & 80s Pop is so in right now that they come off being pioneers of a movement that has been around for years. It is like hearing a fresh take on that same old song that was featured in every John Hughes flick of my youth. Forget about the movement for this is what electronic pop needs to be. Best thing is nothing is lost in translation during the live show. Just a bit rawer.

Photography wise, had one objective that night: capture Lauren in as close to light as Pixie did back in Austin. My curiosity of the band was sparked after I saw Pixie’s photos from their performance at the Hype Hotel. “Who was this angelic female?”, pondering to myself while going through his photos. Bizarre concept I know. A picture drew me to an artist. You’d think it would be the other way around? Pixie capture Lauren in such a beautiful light that it made me the slightest bit jealous as a photographer. The shot took my breath away. Still does. Did my best to copy his style without Hype Hotel’s amazing lights. Think I did all right. Being on the railing usually subtracts minor points from the shot. Some blurriness. Overall, quite pleased. Hell of a preemptive start to our month.
Their debut LP — The Bones of What You Believe — drops in September.

Honorable mention to Still Corners: The vocal project brought to by londoners Greg Hughes and Tessa Murray. Mysterious is the perfect way to describe their sound. Equipped with ominous instruments and a giant projection screen, Still Corners showcased their hypnotizing tracks to the Fonda. If I recall correctly, most of the crowd weren’t feeling it. Electronic Pop & Trance Experiment Rock have two entirely different audience, and that night was made for the former.

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