Lucinda Chua

With a late arrival to the show, I was only able to catch the last few hums and happenings of the Bay Area’s Christopher Willits. Accompanied by multiple processing tools (laptop/Kaoss pad/pedals) and using the guitar as the trigger instrument of choice, Christopher created a smooth bed of tones and patterns that made me regret not getting there earlier to find a comfortable seat to relax and enjoy the set in its entirety.  But even when there was no one on stage performing, the fine DJs from dublab (Lisa & Ale) kept the bed warm for us. Matching the mood and keeping the flow going, Lisa kept our ears filled and primed us up just right for Stars of the Lid. The ‘met in Austin’ duo of Adam Wiltzie and Brian McBride are reaching far beyond their earlier guitar drone borders and are joined on this tour by a triptic of traditional strings, giving a slight compositional and minimal nod to classical greats Satie and Part. Throughout the soothing 40 minute set, the five-piece Ambiensemble played a rich blend of low frequencies, atmospheric sonics and slow-moving melody lines. Adam and Brian’s mirrored set-ups of guitars and keys set the dirging undertone, with a fluid back-and-forth between keys in the bass clef at the rate of deep, deep breathing while the blissful strings played just the right complimentary notes within that scale. Much appreciated additions included a piece with a piano solo intro and another using field recordings to bookend the ins and outs. Closing out the evening was an always right-on set by dublab’s Ale (“Elevation Through Sound”.) If you’re a fan of the drone you would have enjoyed this show because you would’ve been bathing in it.

— shea M gauer