Architecture in Helsinki
June 19, 2007
Henry Fonda Theater
In the overflow of Canadian and U.K. based indie-rock which currently floods the airwaves and play lists of American music lovers, it seems as though Australian indie-pop has been overlooked. Architecture in Helsinki proudly – and painfully cutely – proclaimed its place in the musical realm on Tuesday night at The Henry Fonda Theater.
As the Fonda’s heavy curtain parted, lead singer Cameron Bird gawked at the audience like a bashful adolescent, but that fell away quickly once he introduced the band. As Bird began playing, it seemed any inhibitions he might have had evaporated. He flung and flailed his way around the stage in a green and orange zebra-striped shirt and barely missed bludgeoning band-mate Gus Franklin in the head whilst in the throes of pop passion.
Near violence aside, Architecture in Helsinki had coordination down to a tee. The six members rotated through the spotlight (minus the drummer) switching up instruments, combining guitars, trombones, triangles, synths, and glockenspiel to make their odd, but satisfying blend of upbeat, avant-garde music which kept the the American Apparel-clad audience happy and hollering well after their set was finished. Click here for a slideshow of the concert.
Their three opening acts were quite different from AIH's intensely energetic bursts of colorful loudness and clapping.
According to Bird, Yacht, Ariel Pink, and Gang Gang Dance were not originally planned to participate in AIH’s show, and though he might have been vocally grateful for the combination of artists, the audience was.. not as into it.
Yacht came out brimming with more enthusiasm than anyone in their right mind should, and managed to woo the audience with his prancing and bucking around the stage. The Portland-based indie popper set a good pace for the well-rounded night.
L.A.'s own Ariel Pink gave the antithesis of Yacht's performance; blinking harshly or drunkenly in one corner of the stage, sporting a neon barrette tangled shamelessly in his Kurt Cobain-like mane. He seemed to somehow forget he was performing, wailing and whining through the songs, making his band increasingly more uptight. A sax player in metallic mesh joined them at one point to help resurrect their set, but nothing could be done, and the shiny, foreign man was gone just as soon as he had weirdly appeared. All that said, Ariel Pink's music was still entertaining, haphazard as it was.
Brooklyn-based Gang Gang Dance's lead songstress Liz Bougatsos airily floated onstage sporting an oversized Ghostface Killah shirt garnished with hippy beads, imitating a confused and ecstatic Bjork after a close encounter with M.I.A.
Still, Architecture ruled the night, proving that Australian indie-pop has the edge.
–Carlie Armstrong
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Slideshows
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Crazy 4 Cult 2 at Gallery 1988
More artwork and photos from the Friday, 8/22 opening in Hollywood. -
Dog Days of Summer
Again on the hot-dog trail, in search of sausage satori -
Nightranger: Mountain of Moxie
Katy Perry at Magic Mountain and Beyond Cherry Chapstick
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