Viking Moses and friends have put together a diverse month-and-a-half-long tour that is DIY all the way. Filling a slot in NY took longer than expected, so at the very last moment, Todd P offered Monster Island Basement a space on River Street in Williamsburg.
The tour consists of PictishTrail (Scotland), co-owner of Fence Records and Rozi Plain (United Kingdom), Golden Ghost, and Viking Moses (US). Joining the long trek is an awesome duo DARYL from Pulse Films (UK) is filming a documentary about Viking Moses AKA Brendon Massei.
Whenever I venture into the night to an alternative space, I take my chances. Starting time means later, and the unexpected is always a part of the equation. The building was isolated, and a beautiful girl appeared out of nowhere and knocked on the metal door. She gave up a little too soon. As she disappeared into the night, the band's van pulled up, and a few moments later, the doors magically opened. Just walking down the steep steps, I'm thinking of a dank basement, only to be surprised by a nice, almost finished loft-like space.
I have always felt privileged to be present at shows with a small audience, and this was one of them. During all four short sets, each solo act was joined by the other in one form or another.
Pictish Trail (Johnny Lynch) dreamy tenor is an outstanding instrument. Playing his acoustic-electric guitar, he mixed in extra detailing with a Micro-Korg Kaossilator, and alternated between two mics, one with an echo effect. The expanded sound filled the room, mixing folk, pop, and electronica.
Finger-picking her Epiphone was Rozi Plain. I like her skills and calluses. She embellishes her unadorned voice with quirky detailing. “Sting Sing” sounded like an offbeat folk scat. Her straightforward homey approach to music is a charming delight, creating frills in all the right places.
Golden Ghost (Laura Goetz) played the electric guitar, striking chords and notes between passages in song. Her voice rose above the loud, muffled acoustics creating an edgy flair. While her voice is beautiful, it often breaks out and beckons for full tilt rockin' band. I see that happening. A highlight was the song “The Woman Who Ate Small Metal Objects” with Brendon Massie's muscular vocals.
Viking Moses is original. I’ve never heard a voice so strong. It can rise seemingly out of nowhere and resonate thickly in the air. He plays the electric guitar as soulfully as he sings, with bold chords and strong riffs that follow. For the set, Laura Goetz backed him on the keyboard and vocals. A really cool cover song that started with the beat of Johnny Lynch’s drum machine. The intensity rose when all three repeated the word seven in a full-throttle chant.
Starting a tour with jet lag is a drag; a few yawns in-between songs were the only signs that they were all exhausted. I got a taste of the possibilities and know how pumped they are to get their touring groove on.
The night was a low-key event but a joyful time to hear diverse music in the company of lovely people and our courteous hardworking host Todd P and his assistant Patty.
Pulse Films EPK Viking Moses
Check Myspace for tour Dates / don't miss out!
Flickr Set
Golden Ghost Daytrotter Session March 09
Viking Moses Live in Portland @ the Artistry
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