October 27, 2006
DJ Spooky, The Gray Kid, and Person @ Rock'n'Roll Hotel
Person is a crappy singer. There, I said it. His performance last night at the Rock and Roll Hotel had me thinking I had stumbled upon a tragic highschool talent show. The kind where talent-less wonders are given a forum to sing into real microphones instead of into their shower nozzles, and the result isn’t pretty. Person aka Miguel Lacsamana takes himself way too seriously. Fortunately much of his singing was drowned out by the electro-pop beats of his mixmaster friend Bernard. But what lyrics I could make out were centered around the overstated sexuality of Har Mar Superstar. Sample lyric: “I’ll be your teacher / Your student / Your doctor / Your patient.” No really, it’s ok, you don’t have to.
If Person’s milquetoast performance left listeners a little bleary-eyed, the Gray Kid’s larger-than-life persona was the perfect antidote. Watching the Gray Kid perform is kind of like watching those scenes in Ghost where Patrick Swayze speaks through the body of Whoopi Goldberg: a guy with a hipster-geek haircut is mysteriously possessed by the spirit of hiphop, and the result is dynamite. As the Gray Kid, D.C. native Steve Cooper rhymes at a lightning pace over floor-shaking breakbeats, and impressively manages to sound studio-slick while doing so. By turns dirrrty (think Ludacris), glam (think Prince) and indie (think Gym Class Heroes), the Gray Kid is above all else tongue-in-cheek, with a madcap cockiness that may or may not be ironic. He howls, he sambas, he dances on chairs, and it’s all so darn catchy that he gets away with it.
The highlight of the evening was the mind-bogglingly talented DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid. After more than a decade of triphop innovation, Spooky had nothing to prove to the audience last night, but managed to knock everyone’s socks off anyway. Dance music usually falls into one of two categories. In the first is avant-garde music that can be appreciated for its inventiveness, but is not particularly fun to listen to. The second category comprises music that is gratuitously irresistible, and you might not want to admit how much you enjoy it (i.e., The Black Eyed Peas). Last night, Spooky pulled off the rare feat of falling into both categories. He served up a mash-up of Outkast’s “Hey Ya” and the Beatles’ “Paperback Writer,” then later mixed Sean Paul’s “Get Busy” with the Guess Who’s “American Woman,” all to splendid effect.
Sipping red wine demurely behind his turntables, Spooky gave center-stage to a big screen showing videos of, ahem, the Black Eyed Peas, Gene Kelly, and some gas-mask-wearing skateboarders. His mixing synced well with the video display, and made the evening a multi-sensory experience. As a nod to triphop’s offspring, grime, Spooky also scratched stellar remixes of London rappers Dizzee Rascal and Ms. Dynamite.
DJ Spooky is a globalist’s musician; he provides the soundtrack to a fun time that could take place anywhere, from Tel Aviv to Ibiza to Brooklyn. Last night he brought the party to his own hometown. Once he’d hooked us in with the Billboard hits, his set began to veer more toward electronica with minimal vocals. The result was an illbient dreamscape that gave DAM! Fest patrons their money’s worth.
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curious about the turnout... did they have a decent crowd? anyone else see a DAM fest show?
This review is a bit harsh on Person, don't you think? Does the author have a personal issue with the guy? He played the R&R Hotel a few weeks ago, and the crowd went nuts. This is definitely a surprising reaction.
Personally, The Gray Kid doesn't do it for me. That affected hip-hop style strikes me as a bit offensive, considering where it's coming from. Besides, rapping indie white kids are kind of over.
I have to say I'm kind of surprised. Is it really necessary to bash a kid from the local music scene? It's not like he's up there playing MCI Center, it's "local music" for god sakes. Personally, I find it pretty tasteless that DCist would publish this.
i agree with both yes and Roger, but I don't want to DCist - erm, i mean, pile on - this reviewer. I've seen person a few times, and they've been better than last night for sure, but i think that was their 4th show or something.
I'm consistently amazed at how terrible much of DCist's music writing is. The glowing praises for certain acts seem like thoughtless, trend-loving pap, and when a DCist author happens to dislike a given performer or group thereof, they make snarky, uncreative, occasionally misinformed, and deprecating remarks that are not even the least bit funny. I suppose it's difficult to find good music writers when you're often selecting from a pool of authors that contains narcissistic bloggers, sycophantic hipsters, and young professionals.
How does someone who has a picture of themself wearing blue plastic glasses on their blog get the nerve to call someone a hipster? Much less have the gall to call someone a narcissistic blogger when their blog's latest posting is on their scintillating trip to Morristown, NJ? If you were an old curmudgeon I guess this would kind of be OK, but what are you like 27, 28; and then you and your two degrees are speaking derisively about "young professionals"?
Physician, heal thyself!!
While I understand where you're coming from in wanting to defend local acts, I don't have any qualms with Abby's review. We pay a lot of attention to local music, and we're not going to enjoy everything we see simply by virtue of its locality. Abby gave an honest review of the show, which is what we expect and encourage from our writers.
all my favorite singers couldn't sing
May I remind the group that Good Charlotte is from this area. Perhaps, if someone were a little more critical earlier on Waldorf could still be a town near a mall instead of a town that produces crap bands.
The review may be honest, and that may not have been Person's best performance, but her indictment lacks taste, perspective, and even research. If one actually listens to Person’s album, Entitled , you’d see it exhibits its own level of tongue-in-cheek commentary. It isn’t as clownish as Grey Kid and certainly not Har Mar, but that’s not to say Person takes itself too seriously. Person is more serious, and certainly overtly sexual, but in a highly and intentionally self conscious way. This is part of the many layers of more cerebral irony that Person is about. His “mixmaster friend” has a name. It’s Bernard Farley, aka Output Message-- the very talented locally bred IDM artist. The reviewer would know that if she had delved a bit deeper than just berating this young band.
The review may be honest, and that may not have been Person’s best performance, but in addition to lacking taste, her indictment could use some more perspective, and even research. If one actually listens to Person’s album, Entitled , you’d see it exhibits its own level of tongue-in-cheek commentary. It isn’t as clownish as Gray Kid and certainly not Har Mar, but that’s not to say Person takes itself too seriously. Person is more serious, and certainly overtly sexual, but in a highly and intentionally self conscious way. This is part of the many layers of more cerebral irony that Person is about. Oh and his “mixmaster friend” has a name. It’s Bernard Farley, aka Output Message-- the very talented locally bred IDM artist. The reviewer would know that if she had delved a bit deeper than just berating this band. Perhaps that was not Person’s best performance, but I think there is a lot more to come from this still budding musical outfit.
Does "honest" include not admitting that the writer is friends with the Gray Kid?
Hill Rat: Thanks for looking at my blog, but I don't write for DCist. Furthermore, I'm not a physician.
I've never met the Gray Kid.
00ps. Thought one of those versions didn't post. You guys get to see my process.
Hill Rat: Thanks for looking at my blog, but I don't write for DCist. Furthermore, I'm not a physician.
While I'm sure he's a nice guy, I can't count Gray Kid among my friends, as we've never met.
I'm all for critics publishing honest reviews, and I usually enjoy DCist's perspective on the local music scene. However, this particular review just struck me as downright nasty, which does nothing to advance the journalistic integrity of this publication. DCist expects commentators to refrain from insulting their writers and taking on a "negative tone," as per the comment policy. I just wish the author of this review had done the same. There's a better way to express distaste for an artist without a full-on attack. Maybe DCist encourages writers to try to be clever, who knows -- whatever the case, it's just coming off as mean.
I'm all for critics publishing honest reviews, and I usually enjoy DCist's perspective on the local music scene. However, this particular review just struck me as downright nasty, which does nothing to advance the journalistic integrity of this publication. DCist expects commentators to refrain from insulting their writers and taking on a "negative tone," as per the comment policy. I just wish the author of this review had done the same. There's a better way to express distaste for an artist without a full-on attack. Maybe DCist encourages writers to try to be clever, who knows -- whatever the case, it's just coming off as mean.
what's "crappy" about his singing? critics are supposed to supply arguments and rationales for their criticisms, not just adjectives. if you don't, you're not a writer, you're a heckler.
who cares! we are talking about a dude "singing" over "electro pop beats"! does that even qualify as something that should be reviewed as creative?!? or, MUSIC?!? what a joke. not only the review, but the subjects being reviewed.
Joe: You can reduce anything down to a pointless topic that's not worthy of discourse. That's just silly and nihilistic, particularly in the case of art.
nikki-
singing over prerecorded "beats" isn't art.
it's milli vanilli.
first off, joe, do more research on contemporary electronic music. you sound like those uptight art critics who still don't get why an andy warhol or a jackson pollock can be considered viable art.
second off, abby, allow me to join the chorus of people calling this review really damn harsh and poorly researched. a good reviewer backs up a review with solid justifications for their opinions. simply calling someone a 'crappy singer' and then comparing their act to a high-school talent show doesn't cut it. plus i mean person was the opening band. don't you think it's a little harsh to hate on the first act? i'm almost inclined to think that you came in late and caught like the last two songs, then extrapolated on those and made a judgement about not only the entire set but the entire musical catalogue of this artist! that would explain why your gray kid review is so much better researched - hell you pulled out similar artists for him so that your readers would have a better idea of his sound, whereas you didn't even bother to learn bernard's stage name! (as mentioned earlier, it's output message. fyi.)
so here is, in my opinion, how you can redeem yourself: why don't you show up early next time and catch person's full set, and when you review him state five well-researched reasons why you don't like his music/performance/whatever. ie you think he has trouble hitting some of those high notes, instead of just calling his singing 'crappy.' i mean really, it's the least you can do.
lemme try this again, since your server wouldn't read my comment.
first off, joe, do more research on contemporary electronic music. you sound like those crotchety art critics who still don't get warhol or pollock.
second off, abby, i'm going with the chorus here in calling your review really damn harsh and poorly researched. if you're gonna call someone a 'crappy singer,' why don't you tell us why. ie he couldn't hit the high notes, etc. good reviewers back up their reviews with evidence and research. what it sounds like you did was show up for like the last two songs of person's set and then extrapolate from those songs not only the entire rest of the set but his entire musical catalogue! (btw, hating on the first band is pretty cheap.) that would also explain why your gray kid review was so much better researched - hell, you compared him to several other bands so that the reader could get a sense of what his music was like but you didn't even bother to learn bernard's stage name! (as mentioned before, it's output message. fyi.)
so here's what i suggest you do to redeem yourself: how bout next time you show up early and catch person's entire set, then list at least 5 well-researched reasons why you disliked his music/performance/whatever. yknow, instead of just throwing around vague insulting adjectives like 'crappy.' cos if you're gonna tear someone down it's the least you can do.
lemme try this again, since your server wouldn't read my comment.
first off, joe, do more research on contemporary electronic music. you sound like those crotchety art critics who still don't get warhol or pollock.
second off, abby, i'm going with the chorus here in calling your review really damn harsh and poorly researched. if you're gonna call someone a 'crappy singer,' why don't you tell us why. ie he couldn't hit the high notes, etc. good reviewers back up their reviews with evidence and research. what it sounds like you did was show up for like the last two songs of person's set and then extrapolate from those songs not only the entire rest of the set but his entire musical catalogue! (btw, hating on the first band is pretty cheap.) that would also explain why your gray kid review was so much better researched - hell, you compared him to several other bands so that the reader could get a sense of what his music was like but you didn't even bother to learn bernard's stage name! (as mentioned before, it's output message. fyi.)
so here's what i suggest you do to redeem yourself: how bout next time you show up early and catch person's entire set, then list at least 5 well-researched reasons why you disliked his music/performance/whatever. yknow, instead of just throwing around vague insulting adjectives like 'crappy.' cos if you're gonna tear someone down it's the least you can do.
Persons rules your face. What I saw was someone with a sense of real showmanship and musical ability. Not just some random indie skronk. Gray Kid is what happens when white kids grow up listening to Wu-Tang and honestly think they can make hip-hop straight from the streets too (but still want to sound really avant-garde). There was nothing at all dirrty about him. It was more self-aware ironic hipster posturing and quite frankly I just wasn't impressed with the music.
I like wacky off-the-wall tongue-in-cheek white rappers as much as the next person but it jusn't didn't sound all that good and wasn't that funny. And it still took itself way too seriously. It just sounded like hip-hop made for white kids who like the occasional Southern snap song on the radio but want it in a nonthreatening package 'cause they're way too intimidated to hit up Republic Gardens on black night.
props to DCist for having the guts to publish an honest review. if she didn't like it, she didn't like it, and had the guts to say so. not easy to do. maybe her writing wasn't brilliant, but whatever.
The reviewer is entitled to her opinion, whether expressed with class or not. I just happen to disagree with her opinion.
The reviewer is certainly entitled to her opinion, but I'm not sure if singing skills are subjective. Did the reviewer comment on the singer's pitch or range? No. To state that someone can't sing implies that they have no technical skills - not that you simply didn't like their voice or their act. I was at the show, and while it wasn't a great performance, I don't think it's credible to claim that Person has bad pitch.
Secondly, I'm not asking DCist to like everything by virtue of its locality, as DCist Amanda suggests. The whole idea of a local music community is for acts to find their way in a supportive environment before taking their music to a wider audience. Yes, DCist does give alot of attention to local bands. And if Person starts blowing up, sure, bash him if you feel like it's necessary. But I don't see the need to give someone terrible press while they are still developing and searching for a local audience.
Can DCist point us to a flowchart or website that documents the progression from trip-hop to grime? I'm dying to see it.
i walked in to the person show and walked out within thirty seconds--without even stopping at the bar. i waited until the set ended, and then went back. he really can't sing. on the other hand, gray kid's performance was almost flawless-i'm sorry, but his falsetto is spot on, even if you don't like the genre. i was really impressed with the show.
Gray Kid's performance was hardly flawless. He sings to pre-recorded backing vocal tracks, so it's basically him singing along to recordings of himself. I just don't get it.
I have to agree, this show was a complete waste of my time.
On a lighter note, I stopped by the Red and the Black on Saturday night to catch a couple of bands. "Eames Era" was decent, good fun. Cool kids from New Orleans.
I caught the second half of "The Beanstalk Library" show. I couldn't believe how good these guys were. I also couldn't believe I'd never heard of them before, considering they're local. Not sure when or where they're plaing next, but if you're looking for a good show around town, catch 'em. This is a band you someday won't be able to forget.
I caught 'The Beanstalk library's show too on Saturday night. Their lead singer said they were missing someone??? They didn't seem to be missing anything. They exemplify all the good things in music that are missing in today's indie (cooler than thou) scene. This is a fantastic band.
I hate being a pedantic dick but Grime and its cousin dubstep came out of UK Garage
this is a little late in the game for this, but I just have to chime in. I LOVE when people argue with "so and so is entitled to their opinion...they can hate if they want to, blah, blah"
well, guess what...people are allowed to hate on your hate. we're 'entitled to express our opinions'. what a cop out defense.
I don't think the issue is whether the subject of any review really sucks or not. I love miguel and his projects, but any rational adult understands that not everyone will like everything. That said, any one who verbally shits on another so publicly should expect to be judged accordingly. It's one thing to talk about how you dislike a band and specifically why, but it's quite another to just dump on them senselessly. DCist writers appear to me to be smart, so I would think that when they decided to publish abby's 'review', the y must have expected this kind of reaction from readers. If you're behaving like a mean douche, you'll be treated like one. Deal with it. That's just what happens; people react.