Ever So Android w/ Gibraltar & NAVVI
Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA
03.12.16
Opening a night full of electro-rock local love were NAVVI, the synthy experimental duo of Kristin Henry and Brad Boettger. While the perhaps started out a bit nervous and hesitant, vocalist Henry’s confidence clearly grew throughout the set. Boettger alternated between a drum machine, laptop, and guitar solos, while Henry navigated an electronic button machine. Their layered, looming beats and hooky momentum was best appreciated on a brand new song they’d never played live, which turned out to be the best one of the set.
At 10pm, the Tractor is already packed, and the loud, forward Gibraltar takes the stage. Vocalist/guitarist Aaron Starkey carries a Frank Black-esque vibe, while the recent of addition of Lesli Wood on bass is just one more feather in the intensely tight group’s hat. Their set ranged from melodic to frenetic, all the while remaining authentically rock. Be sure to keep an eye out for Gibraltar this year, as they further forge their direction.
And then the lights went out after an extended sound check. As Ever-so-android launched forcefully into their first song, their heavy industrial sounds engulfed the audience, who cheered with approval. There’s a great turnout tonight, and vocalist Hope Simpson acknowledges with “Is it Saturday? Thank you all so much for coming out tonight. It means a lot to us. Happy Saturday… I’ve really got nothing else.” And yet, there is so much that ESA has to give. Between Simpson’s powerful, soul-filled vocals and the masterfully hooky beats dreamed up in the mind of Drew Murray, ESA is constantly throttling on high.
Lit by rotating color LED panels, including one in the drum kit, ESA makes use of the whole stage. Tons of folks in the first few rows start dancing as Simpson twists, gyrates, and thrashes about the stage belting out lyrics. She interacts with Murray on guitar, getting right up in his face. Bolstered by the skillful live drumming of Ben Hilzinger and bassist Ian Forrester – who a number of times during the set takes to the front of the stage, bending over for a 30-second musical conversation with an audience member – ESA sounds as tight as ever.
The band is currently in the studio working on a new EP follow up to their scorching 2015 full-length Disconnect, playing two of the tracks live at the show, as brooding and carnal as you’d expect from this passionate group. For the encore, ESA maintained the same intensity level, finding Simpson lying on the ground, a small mosh pit forming in front of the stage. They close the show as strong as they began, leaving it all on the stage.
Ever-so-android Set List
Intro song
Moment
How High
Sons and Daughters
New Song
Leash
Good Intentions
#inferno
Already Gone
Encore
Learn to Crawl
Review by Stephanie Dore
Photos by Alex Crick
Ever-so-android
Gibraltar
NAVVI
