Cathedrals

Here is a very simple, unedited version of my review for the Cathedrals show.

Originally posted in Post Defiance (postdefiance.com, go look and see, this site is a Tacoma gem). Though there it has been edited by someone far more eloquent than I. The edited version is better. See for yourself. I like editors~though I love to write I'm notorious for my fragment sentences and choppiness.
Thank you editors for all you do.  

Photos provided by Poetic Spectre Imaging (find her on Facebook). As I've said before and will again and again, she is a divine spirited woman and a helluva photographer.

Last weekend marked the second installation of Tacoma's Cathedral Shows brought to you by Aaron Stevens and the Broadway Center of Performing Arts; live singer songwriter's crooning alongside the Passenger String Quartet included Kevin Sur, Pretty Broken Things and David Bazan.

Upon entering the Immanuel Presbyterian Church I was immediately taken with the space. The summer sun, still bright in the early evening, shone through the stained glass windows as we took our seats to the sold out show. The use of a sacred space for the sake of entertainment sounds blasphemous but when it comes down to it the event is far more than that. It's a unity of community personalities joining together regardless of spirituality or background to drink in sounds of our local creative culture. As Stevens put it when kicking off the show, "It just feels like a really good night for Tacoma just being itself."

Kevin Sur, accompanied by the Passenger String Quartet opened the show. Sur's gravelly voice almost woos the audience with his indie folk vibe. Of playing with the Passenger String Quartet in a church Kevin Sur stated that it "alters your perspective of how you view your own songs." It was as though Sur and the Quartet were serenading each other, each strumming a note in response to one  another. 

Following Sur's set the quartet played a solo entitled "The Berlin Patient". The songs title is based off of a news story that composer Joslyn had heard with regards to an AIDS patient having been cured thanks to a bone marrow transplant. The composition conveyed an almost hopeful melancholy but also reminded me that this show was not just about music in a church. It was about telling stories using a diversified voice.   All those who performed, Sur and Bazan in particular, were sharing intimate glimpses into their life through their craft, heightening the experience of those who attended. Sur expressed this sentiment during his set when he said, "Thank you for wanting to be out of your house and experience this and share it with us."

Pretty Broken Things filled the cathedral with their epic peaks and sing-song valleys when taking the stage next. Fronted by Katie Costello, the real magic comes from the group dynamics. Costello says of her band mates that she was given a gift when looking to "sucker some people into being her back-up." Though Costello's breathy vocals lay the foundation of each song, the group reaches an almost fervent pitch when the group joins in with their harmonizing violin and vocals in unison with  guitar thumping, hand clapping and foot stomping rhythms encouraging the audience to do the same.

The headliner of the evening was the  legendary David Bazan, formerly of Pedro the Lion. His lyrics are almost a narration of poetry, like a scab picked off leaving a sore to face the elements,  a testament to the human condition. He referred to his songs all as " offensive and bummers" at some point and rightfully so. In the midst of said "bummers" he sprinkled in humor and a down to earth approachability that dissolved the angst of his raw words.

Twice during Bazan's set he interrupted and asked the audience if they had any questions. The inquiries  began with a lighthearted "Have you ever wanted to have dreadlocks?" which he replied with a humorous, "Back in high school, but it takes too much non-work work.....I'd eat the honey." To really important ones like, "What life lessons would you give your children based on your day today?" to which he responded with an "Empathy and self discipline, and they'd have to be cool. Not hip cool, just not jerks." And even delved deeper into his stance on religion and how it inspires his creativity. Which was perhaps the most appropriate given his former religious viewpoints and the location of the show. He spoke of his past work as "very naive expressions of a former viewpoint". Weaved among hits from both his days with Pedro the Lion and solo work Bazan included "Hallelujah," saying that this song wasn't about what many believed it to be, "unless God is a girl and also doesn't exist. Which is possible."

David Bazan finalized his set with "Strange Negotiations" backed by the Passenger Quartet. This performance in itself really highlighted the marriage of Andrew Joslyn's compositions and the performers. It was as though the composition reflected David Bazan's feelings brewing and stirring just below the surface. The players throughout the show weaved classical properties and complimented the modern songwriters creations, this was most clear with Bazan's set.

 It was like a religious experience for those who place their faith in the arts and music. A compelling and unique experience for those who support the Tacoma scene with their presence and set in an unconventional venue. The third installation won't be until Friday, November 16th, with artist to be announced but you can purchase your tickets now for a mere $16.

Who's feet were these? I love this shot.