Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2010
Courtesy of Contrarede
Released worldwide in 2008, The Snake is finally out in Japan ahead of Swedish duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums’ upcoming Tokyo debut. Singer Mariam Wallentin and drummer Andreas Werliin met studying improvisation at the University of Gothenburg, and their music joins recent pairings like The White Stripes or The Kills in exploring the expressive potential of the stripped-down duo format. With Wallentin’s large-lunged operatic delivery and Werliin’s arty drumming and electronics, comparisons to Björk are inevitable. But W&P have their own thing happening—a kind of tribal energy that comes through strongest on songs like “Today/Tomorrow,” which sounds like nothing less than a blues for the 21st century. In two strange but compelling bills, the duo backs Deerhoof on April 4 at Basement Bar, and Medeski, Martin & Wood on April 10 at Shibuya O-East.
“Moonstruck”
Swedish drum/vocal duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums share a bill with American indie weirdniks Deerhoof. Apr 4, 7pm, ¥3,500 (adv)/ ¥4,000 (door). Basement Bar, Shimokitazawa. Tel: Contrarede 03-5773-5061
Medeski, Martin & Wood
Jazz-funk jam band with Wildbirds & Peacedrums. Apr 10, 6pm, ¥6,800 (adv)/¥7,500 (door). Shibuya O-East. Tel: 03-5458-4681.
