St. Paul and Minneapolis are two very different cities.  Every time I walk the streets of downtown St. Paul I’m reminded of this by the numerous small parks and public places, where one can sit beneath a tree and watch people pass at a pace slower than that of Minneapolitans.  The nightlife too is very different, with fewer bars and clubs at which St. Paulites can let loose and take the edge off a long day.  But of those available, Station 4 certainly stands out among evening locations, and last Monday a show was given therein that brought together a mixture of local expression and national artistry.

I entered just before Morosity took the stage.  Over the years Station 4 has come to be known for its hosting of metal bands and underground music.  It seemed a natural place for Morosity, a local acoustic rock band reminiscent of Days of the New.  As they hammered on their acoustic guitars and plugged through number after number, their sound reverberated and people creeped in from the adjacent room.

In the meantime, people outside sat smoking their cigarettes and conversing on the sidewalk.  Unlike Minneapolis one can be on the streets of St. Paul at night and largely be free of exhaust fuming cars passing by every moment.  VAST’s tour bus had parked just along Station 4’s makeshift patio, and members of Stellar Vector and Bella Koshka mingled about with friends and fans.  Charles Sadler of Stellar Vector had lined up the bands to play, being old friends with a member of VAST and having opened for the band last time they’d come through the cities.  But the arrangement was not simply one of expediency.  These bands together all bring a dark, yet differing approach to hard (some might say ambient) rock.  In short, it works.

VAST (Photo by C. Pittman)

Austin’s VAST played a headlining set well over an hour long.  As a first time listener, I was drawn to the melodies as any good lover of pop is accustomed to, but the full, monstrous sound working in combination is what sets VAST apart from the pack.  Their guitars crunch, reminiscent of Helmet, and lead singer Jon Crosby’s voice fits so perfectly amongst the impenetrable wall the band creates.  This music displays a character, a depth of feeling that takes hold, and is then reinforced by lyrics such as “You’re livin’ outside my dreams” and “(Please) don’t take your love away from me.”  At times filtered through three-part harmonies, VAST is an emblem of hard rock’s conviction.  Rock is more than sex, drugs, and beer – its about the human condition!  And VAST reminded me why I discovered long ago a hypocrisy inherent in the term “emo.”

VAST (Photo by C. Pittman)

But although on this evening the show’s thunder was VAST’s for the taking, two less well-known local bands opened that left two different, yet fond impressions: Stellar Vector and Bella Koshka.

J. Ford (Photo by C. Pittman)

Stellar Vector is a sleeper waiting patiently in the weeds.  In recent years they have been closely aligned with the TC Electropunk scene, and currently they are in studio recording a new LP with The Alarmists‘ Eric Lovold.  They have also been known to frequent or perform at events hosted by Minnesota’s own Rock the Cause, and they’re a featured band on Borangutan’s download page.

But publicly held laurels are worth less if a band is unable to deliver the live goods to listeners, and this was a first live encounter for this one.  Salubriously jolting, nothing less!

Stellar Vector will soon be dropping a record full of hits and singles (translated as – this band has some tunes, great tunes).  “Houston Complex” has been a fan favorite for some time, but “February 14th” was blind-siding.  From the moment lead singer Charles Sadler sang “It’s the morning of my break up day” I was hooked.  Sadler sported bright red pants and a sleeker version of thick black Buddy Hollyesque glasses, strutting across the stage between solo trading guitarists Jonathan Ford and Kevin Hahn.  Bassist Mike Johnson stood halfway faced toward drummer Stephen Ahonen, who part way through the set beat the drums with such passion that drum sticks flew and shells displaced.

C. Sadler (Photo by C. Pittman)

Stellar Vector is righteous electro-rock that descriptive words tragically fail.  Sometime in the near future Stellar Vector will be releasing their new LP The Flock of Cowards, and on that night the stage, sound, and lights will be theirs alone.  Expect a rare nugget of precious artifice, because you’re gonna get it!  Did I mention Sadler’s largesse stage persona is a boon unto your experience as well?

Bella Koshka isn’t your average band.  Alone they are neither rock nor pure electro, neither pop nor folk.  They are in fact none of these and all of these at the same time.  Pinning them down or packaging them for redistribution is a fool’s effort, and it wasn’t until half way through their set that a personal understanding took form.

Bella Koshka is thoughtful as opposed to passive music.  These days it’s easy to embrace pop music with a devil may care attitude (in fact, I think we’re somewhat socialized to do this).  But Bella Koshka demands engagement with the ears if nothing else.  At Station 4 the band was garbed in black, appearing plucked from a gothic underground where tears may fall with indiscretion.  The truth: the band’s live set presented little for the eyes, but so, so much for the ears.

Bella Koshka (Photo by C. Pittman)

Laura Boland’s whispery vocals are alluringly sensual, and when combined with Hilary Davis’ passionate violin, something theatrical is borne.  In many ways this is profound, since most of us are only trained to sense visual theatrics.  Unless set in an intimate, lounge setting, I recommend listening to Bella Koshka with your eyes relaxed, and not for lack of attractive actors (the band is quite easy on the eyes!)  It’s best this way, and the searingly smooth guitar solos and soft rhythms will only further uplift your spirits.  Were I producing the next film based on a Mary Shelley novel, you can bet the score’s composers would already be arranged.

[audio=http://awmusic.ca/1/mp3/VAST%20-%20Touched.mp3]

Touched by: VAST

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/01-houston-complex.mp3]

Houston Complex by: Stellar Vector

[audio=http://podcast.xs4all.nl/upload/werksman-02-relic.mp3]

Relic by: Bella Koshka

VAST (Photo by C. Pittman)

Photo by C. Pittman

VAST (Photo by C. Pittman)

VAST (Photo by C. Pittman)

Kevin Hahn (Photo by C. Pittman)

Photo by C. Pittman

Stellar Vector (Photo by C. Pittman)

Links

VAST – Website / Myspace

Stellar Vector – Website / Myspace

Bella Koshka – Website / Myspace

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

posted May 24th, 2009 at 9:32 am Reviews Bella Koshka, Stellar Vector, VAST