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SXSW Review: Asobi Seksu
(1 a.m. Saturday, Habana Calle 6)
After a late start, Brooklyn dream pop band Asobi Seksu (meaning “playful sex” in Japanese) headlined the Polyvinyl showcase at Habana Calle 6, rocking tracks from their new album “Hush” as well as a few older songs from their previous two critically acclaimed studio albums.
The band’s unique spacey, expansive sound - complete with the creaks and grinds of two glaciers colliding - emanates from the strengths of its two members: keyboardist/lead vocalist Yuki Chikudate and guitarist James Hanna. Saturday evening the band was filled out by two of their friends, drummer Larry Gorman and bassist Billy Pavone. And although the rhythm section was tight and at times quite inventive in their ability to turn the beat around, the Asobi Seksu sound is grounded in its two essential elements: Hanna’s dreamy, washed-out guitar-work and Chikudate’s ethereal voice mixed with her inventive keyboard flourishes.
Chikudate was all business throughout the eight-song set. Her voice sounded more relaxed, more emotional than their records, as she toyed with the melodies, tastefully dancing across multiple octaves mainly in falsetto. The band played several tracks from “Hush,” which was released last month, including “Meh No Mae,” “Sing Tomorrows Praises” and the supersonic “In the Sky.”
A close listen to “Familiar Light” revealed Asobi Seksu’s still pushing the bounds of dream pop, adding math rock and classical elements - complete with alternating rhythms and descending melodies - that rival Sigur Ros in their ability to create mood through ornate arrangements and lush, ambient soundscapes.
During the outro of the set closer, “Red Sea,” Chikudate moved from the keyboards to drums, bashing out a slow, powerful beat that was heavier than you’d expect her 5 foot tall, 95 some-odd pound frame would be capable of pounding. Then with white noise blasting from Hanna’s guitar as it echoed far from the Habana Calle 6 patio stage and into the night sky, Chikudate allowed a half-smile to slip out as the band successfully wrapped one of the most experimental, stunningly provocative sets witnessed during SXSW.
In comparison, many of the indie rock bands at this year’s SXSW sound similar in their race down the wide and deep well of mediocrity. Asobi Seksu’s ability to challenge conventional sounds and arrangements in rock music leave them with few peers that can match their creativity. (Let’s just hope it doesn’t take another three years to pass before their next release.)
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