Dosh & Dark Dark Dark @ The Cedar

Dosh

Saturday night at The Cedar Cultural Center there was a show that brought together a Minneapolis music institution and a young up and coming band that he recently recorded with. Dosh, who played drums on a number of tracks on Dark Dark Dark’s debut full length, welcomed them to a sold out Cedar for a show (dubbed “Dosh and Friends”) that displayed two unique, but equally excellent bands at one of the best local venues.

Dark Dark Dark

Dark Dark Dark

First up were Dark Dark Dark, who are a four piece baroque-gypsy band originally based out of Minneapolis. They are led by Marshall LaCount on banjo and Nona Marie Invie on accordion and backed by Todd Chandler on upright bass and Jonathan Kaiser on cello. Their sound can be described as rustic folk/Americana mixed with Beirut-style Eastern European influences. Their songwriting often times ventures into some very dark themes and their lyrics and overall style had a world weary feel to it. Even with the dour lyrical content, their songs often were redemptive and stirring in a beautiful way. They were playing what was essentially a homecoming gig, as they have been our touring the country, and the world, over the course of the year. A majority of their set was based around their excellent new album, Snow Magic, an album that was produced by Rob Skoro and released in late October. Lead singer Invie, with her Joanna Newsome-like warble, was the strong point for the band and her voice showed great character for their story centric songs. Compared to Invie, LaCount’s voice often came across as flat and less nuanced, but maybe I was hoping for too much looking for a Zach Condon-esqe voice to accompany their world based folk music. He did prove to be a good foil when he sang with Invie and seemed to be the main focal point of the band. The band also employed four part harmonies on multiple occasions, and their four voices created a stirring addition to their layered, melodic sound. Dark Dark Dark seem like a band that were tailor made to play in the great sounding and intimate Cedar Cultural Center. They are a great young band, and if they decide to swing back through their “hometown” again between their globe trotting adventures, I would suggest checking them out.

Dark Dark Dark

Dark Dark Dark

Dark Dark Dark

Dark Dark Dark

Dark Dark Dark

The headliner of the night was local electronic wizard Martin Dosh. I have always thought of Dosh in the same fashion as the Hold Steady (or Lifter Puller), Cloud Cult or Atmosphere as an artist that has not only transcended the local scene, but has become something of a elder statesman and an institution that is a glowing example of both the diversity and excellence of our local scene. Dosh, who as always was surrounded by enough cords and electronic gadgets to run a small city, had extra help to start his show Saturday night from a local group who ran giant “weather” instruments. There was some sort of weird sheet in the back, a couple giant rain sticks, and what I think was a wind machine. When Dosh did start, he began the show up on stage by himself, but there was still more instruments being played than a P-Funk show. He created his magical swirl using keyboards, samples, bells and drums. The sold out Cedar, with all of the chairs full and people standing along the back, watched in awe as Dosh, with increasing numbers of friends joining him on stage, played his beautifully hypnotic electronic music. Anyone who has only heard Dosh on record needs to do themselves a favor and see him live because words cannot describe his manic knob twisting, frantic drum playing and gorgeous piano playing.

Dosh

Dosh

Both bands played great sets to a raptured audience who seemed to appreciate the excellent, albeit very different, musical performances by two great Minneapolis-based acts. Both bands released excellent albums this year and although neither play on a regular basis around the cities, they are both well worth your time if you get a chance to check them out in the future.

Dosh

Dosh

[Review by Josh Keller, photos by Jon Behm.]

Dark Dark Dark: Purchase | Official | MySpace
Dosh: Purchase | Official | MySpace

Also: Interview with Marshall LaCount of Dark Dark Dark