Probably the last thing a fledgling band wants to see as they’re sound checking for their well-hyped, sold out record release show is several of their members huddled around a laptop wearing concerned expressions. Was there an actual issue with Oryx and Crake’s equipment? Maybe, maybe not. But there was definitely anxiety in the air as they prepared to launch into their headlining set, staring into a sea of eager faces full of sky-high expectations.
But any nerves the band may have felt seemed to quickly disappear as they delivered a rousing take on album opener/highlight, “Fun Funeral.” With their first song behind them, the band settled in, steadily gaining confidence as the night wore on.
Despite some small glitches and some initial inconsistencies in the mix, Oryx and Crake gave a standout performance—one full of grace and beauty and not without the occasional moment of lush transcendence. They’ve still got a long ways to grow—it doesn’t feel like the band owns these songs entirely yet—but in the times when they hit their stride and the music swells to fill the room with its aching pulse, one thing is clear: no band in Atlanta can match their majestic peaks.
More Info:
Bandcamp: www.oryxandcrake.bandcamp.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/oryxandcrakeband
Twitter: www.twitter.com/oryxncrake
I was so scared that I wasn’t going to be able to play the show for a few minutes there. My laptop had a major fail–it got this funny grey screen and asked for a restart. And, of course, it wouldn’t restart. Like 12 times. But I didn’t want folks to have to wait any longer for us to start, so I was going to step down. Fortunately, at the last minute Keith thought to manually reset the battery and stuff and it started up. Whew! Using technology is cool, but it is also a little risky for live performance. Can I hire eight strong men to carry an upright piano around for me?
It certainly looked dire there for a while. I got really concerned when it looked like everyone was telling you jokes to keep your spirits up. I’m glad it all worked out. Now you just need to figure out a way to get you up front and out in the open.