Feb 13, 2016
Trevor
Sasquatch, WA
seen from United States
seen from Indonesia
seen from United States
seen from India
seen from United States
seen from Bulgaria
seen from El Salvador
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Mexico
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from China
seen from China
Trevor
Sasquatch, WA
Film
Dilated Peoples @ Sasquatch 2015 by Be Lee
sasquaaatch. i miss you so.
Hunter Hunted at Sasquatch (May 23, 2015)
This year at Sasquatch, LA indie pop duo Hunter Hunted was my first set of day two. The band, which travels with a drummer, bassist and violinist/guitarist for live shows in addition to lead vocalist and keyboardist Michael Garner and vocalist/guitarist Daniel Chang, came onstage coordinated in all black. From the very beginning of the set, sound quality was excellent! Being an early afternoon band, they got the benefit of sound checking right before performing. Clearly no strangers to touring (having been through the circuit with several bands, including twenty one pilots and Fitz and the Tantrums), they possessed an energy that balanced their relaxed demeanor with gently upbeat charisma and gratitude for the reaction of the audience that day. They excelled at layering Keane-esque lyrics over some great bass and drum work. I’m a sucker for bands that have a strong bass presence live, and Hunter Hunted did not disappoint. There were some really great throbbing bass lines in there. Garner, Chang, and their live violinist Morgan Paros' vocal harmonies were the perfect compliment, spinning gold threads of perfectly subtle harmonies that you wouldn’t quite notice if you weren’t looking for them. In addition to the harmonies, it seems every song has a beautiful chorus hook-- one that reaches out and hooks an arm around you to draw you in conspiratorially. After the first few songs of the set, they took a pause, during which Garner announced that this was their first time at Sasquatch, met by cheers. The group launched into a riveting cover of The Pixies’ Where Is My Mind, bouncing with energy but still somehow maintaining the relaxed vibe. It was an absolute treat to watch Paros during this song especially... she’s got some sick moves! And with a violin in hand? It can only get better. End of the World, a fan favorite, was killer. Although there wasn’t a lot of energy build over the course of a song or the set, they sustained that edge-of-your-seat feeling that every live music lover lives for. New single Blindside was RAD. Blindside had a stronger synth presence than their other songs, and in that way reminded me a bit of Boston synthrockers Magic Man (personal favorites of mine). Swayed by the band’s energy, I found myself dancing to this one without even knowing it, synths just bubbling over the bass and drum beats. Killer. The second to closing track (Operating) was absolutely trance-inducing in the best way. The way they performed it, it could be the song you scream to your ex if you lived in a dramatic romcom. That was the epitome of their sound right there: their perfect cocktail of violin indie-folk drama and anthemic modern rock. The instrumental skills were all the more apparent on this one, especially the guitar work and Garner’s lead vocals. They finished off their set with Keep Together, which a) has a great sing-along bridge, and b) had tambourine in it. I love me some good tambourine. Overall, Hunter Hunted were a solid morning set, loosened me up for the rest of the day, and were very, very cool. I’m glad I went. As Garner said towards the end of their time in the Sasquatch spotlight, “You’re making our hearts grow ten times the size.”
Father John Misty by Hannah Rose Steinkopf-Frank
It’s been a good, busy time, and life is indeed good.
“What is the one thing you need to say? What is the one thing you need to hear?” - Chad Moses, “Sasquatch 2015: Invitation & Response”