Wednesday 04.11.12: DORIAN WOOD / TOMMY SANTEE KLAWS / SCOTT MATTHEW / GHIANT @ Echo

8:30pm / $5 / 18+

Dorian Wood || Watch
Los Angeles-based artist Dorian Wood is “armed with a vocal charisma that would befit a preacher and an experimental streak that would make avant-gardists swoon” (WNYC Culture). He has held audiences captive on street corners, in concert halls and performance spaces throughout the US, Mexico and Europe, carrying with him a sound that marries troubadour balladry with the avant-garde, both as a soloist and as a member of the 30-piece experimental orchestra, Killsonic.

Born in Echo Park, California, Dorian began his musical education at a very early age, continuing his studies at Conservatorio de Castella in Costa Rica, and eventually making his way back to Los Angeles, where he first gained exposure performing on the queer bar circuit. His debut album, BOLKA, received wide critical acclaim for its impeccable merging of folk, soul, Bulgarian choral music and experimental music. His follow-up EP, Black Pig Suite, featured a 14-piece band that included horns, accordions and women’s voices.

In early 2010, Dorian was joined onstage by legendary artist Little Annie at (Le) Poisson Rouge in New York. That same year, Dorian received critical praise for his performance and “picture perfect” art direction (Los Angeles Times) in the Killsonic opera, Tongues Bloody Tongues, presented at the REDCAT in Los Angeles. Dorian performed at the REDCAT again in 2011 in the opera Zoophilic Follies, along with TImur and The Dime Museum.

Most recently , Dorian was commissioned by LACE (Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions) to present a new work for the performance series Los Angeles Goes Live, part of Pacific Standard Time. Dorian’s performance installation, Athco, Or The Renaissance of Faggot Tree, incorporated over 30 performers, and was presented at Barnsdall Art Park on October 9, 2011. Dorian also performed with acclaimed artist Marina Abramovic in her piece An Artist’s Life Manifesto, presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) on November 12, 2011.

Dorian has also performed at LACMA, UCLA, Highways Performance Space (Santa Monica), Pacific Design Center (West Hollywood), The Stone (New York City) ,Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (San Francisco) and the Stockholm Fringe Fest (Sweden).

Dorian’s latest album, Brutus, was recorded live at St. Giles-in-the-Fields in London, during his spring 2010 European tour. He is currently working on a new studio album, entitled Rattle Rattle.

Tommy Santee Klaws || Listen|| Watch
Tommy Santee Klaws has existed in some form for nearly a decade, conjuring miniature tornadoes, making a ruckus. Tommy started recording his own music in 2001, in the wake of his mother’s death. Up to this point, his discography spans seven self-released albums, a 7-inch and one EP. Rakes, his eighth record, is being distributed by Imaginary Music, a label started by Lol Tolhurst, a founding member of The Cure.
Like some of the best Los Angeles new-folky type acts, Tommy Santee Klaws understands the trick of making nostalgia work both ways; into some bright future and the virtuous, murky past. Skinning the old to dress the new.

Scott Matthew || Watch
“For some it seems a mistake, for me it’s a way of life.”
It’s a lyric from Aussie-born New Yorker, Scott Matthew’s new album, which also tells the story of Matthews’ own journey. In a nutshell, it’s a life of tragically beautiful music, brimming with longing for a sanctuary; a place to wait for a love that will surely come some day.

For this bearded angel – whom Rolling Stone mag aptly likens to Antony Hegarty and androgynous-era Bowie – writing and recording third solo album, Gallantry’s Favorite Son, was the time “I came to terms with myself”. The result is a more confident, self-assured Matthew tackling issues like bigotry, intolerance and afterlives. With confidence comes joy too, so in first single “The Wonder Of Falling In Love” we find Matthew dancing in a more playful pop playground reminiscent of 2009’s “Thistle.” Together with newie “Felicty,” Matthew weaves connectors between Scott Walker and Devendra Banhart; Council-era Paul Weller and Burt Bacharach’s lush string pop.

But that doesn’t mean the goose bumps have diminished. Matthew’s emotive quiver still “cuts like lovingly administered razors” [Sydney Morning Herald]. In haunting new songs like “Sinking,” “Buried Alive” and “Black Bird,” the man whose worldwide mustering of hearts in queer-comedy-drama Shortbus [director John Cameron Mitchell’s follow-up to Hedwig & The Angry Inch] continues stealing breath. Administering to the listener’s innermost core, he offers an elixir of dark cabaret, restorative folk and gently caressing ballads.

It’s little wonder Rhythms Mag called Matthew’s last album “Mesmerizing,” while “Extremely Beautiful,” “Heartbreaking,” “Brilliant, Stunning, Haunting,” “Hypnotizing… Gorgeous… Heart-melting… Captivating” are just some descriptors proffered in other reviews.

By now it’s clear Matthew’s emotional investment in songs is huge: Matthew and the listener – it’s a heart to heart exchange. This may be more apparent now, than his earlier outings as a Brizzy punk protégé, or in first band Elva Snow with ex-Morrissey man Spencer Cobrin, but as we said at the start, it’s a lifetime’s work, a journey of commitment. “When friendship becomes family, it helps me with the mystery” sings Matthew. His music is like a diary whose secrets are shared with an intimate circle of friends. Welcome to the circle.

Ghiant || Listen|| Watch
GHIANT is a band made up of Don Black and occasionally other pals, that is tuneful and bombastic! A litany of harmony undoubtedly forever and ever and ever until your dome hits the heather!!