The mist & the soul take over the Getty, after the break!
J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
Seattle rolled into the jam packed Getty Center last Saturday night in form of a cold summer mist & indie rock soul blues. Luckily, I was wearing my flannel for my second straight Saturdays off the 405 showcase (presented by Spaceland promotions). Hard to turn down a free show in one of the most beautiful spots in all of Los Angeles. Perfect date rendezvous because of the culture, cheap drinks, fantastic music, and my gem — the view of Westwood & Santa Monica. On clear days, you can see all the way out to the pacific. That wasn’t the case Saturday night. By the end of Pickwick’s vibing encore the entire museum was covered in a chilling layer of mist. Blame it on the too cool blues.
Pickwick blew me away in Austin. Found myself motionless / unable to move on the floor of the convention center while waiting for Vampire Weekend that Thursday afternoon when they took the stage. Only considered them cause they were hyped by all the SXSW ads on the app. Didn’t mind. Was in a ‘Wick’ed mood at the time, I guess.
Anyway, when they hit the NPR Radio Day Stage with their eclectic old school funk & hard hitting beats I was mesmerized. Much like I was when I first heard Seattle native & compatriot Allen Stone. Galen, Pickwick front man, had that same gospel ferocity as Stone but in a more raw form. A rich & ear opening experience I shall never forget from the biggest tease of 2013. Needed the complete show.
I do feel that Pickwick is more than Galen’s incredible voice. It’s the collective vibing from the five other members that give Pickwick their ‘wicked’ musical heart. There are some many small nuisances that you get in between cuts that it really does takes a ‘village’ to showcase everything fantastic in their songs. “Hacienda Motel” & “Brother Roland” prove this point through the rise & fall. The balance is just perfect.
Their debut album — Can’t Talk Medicine — will end up of my “Best of 2013” list come December. They are way better live than on LP. The Getty’s open courtyard was only going to make them sound even better…didn’t think it would be possible, but it happened.
4000+ music lovers got to experience Pickwick live at the Getty. By the end of their set, Galen and the guys had the entire courtyard on their side: “Wooing”, “Woahing”, clapping, hanging onto every high note wishing it wouldn’t end. Many of the patrons who came for the free show seemed blown away by the music bumping from the speakers. Kept turning around to seeing countless people losing themselves in hipster dance. Nothing compares to the moment when musicians and audience connect. A force powerful enough it covered The Getty in clouds. The spirits had to cool us off because we were rocking too damn hard. Like a Ostrich!
Here are two performances from the show (via ryanromenesko). The encore was The Primitive’s (Lou Reed) cover of “The Ostrich”.
This showcase was only the third LA performance from the Seattle natives. They killed it, we loved it, and the Getty is thank for it all. Look at their calendar for upcoming ‘Saturdays off the 405‘ shows. Only two remain. Better clear your schedules!
As for Pickwick, the guys will be selling out major LA venues sooner than later. A rising stock you should definitely invest in. You’ll regret it otherwise.
Until next time!
(BTW: Sorry for typos, will correct my mistakes soon!)
Photo Selects
(Side Note: Some new tricks. Overall, happy with the entire set)
