On The Scene: Dos Kolegas 30-10-2012

How about them apples? Straight up dust on the strings folk music shot straight into the bloodstream. It’s refreshing to be able to dial it down from time to time over here, grab a seat in Dos Kolegas, and be serenaded with some of the lovelist voices this side of town. Pure, angelic, pristine folk – well at least until Buyi had their say that is. But still with a lineup of Gangzi, Li Dong, Dongzi, Wang Juan, Wun Tun fiddling with his flute, and Buyi you have the makings are being moved. Even with the patrons talking up a storm throughout the event and myself forgetting to charge my recorder – nothing could rain on this parade.

Things opened with Gangzi, an act I’m been trying to catch for sometime now – and I’m glad I did. The man seamlessly concurs up those Mongolian grasslands with his voice and guitar. Did I mention he’s pretty pimp on said guitar.

Utilizing Mongolian throat singer effortlessly, Gangzi has creates an intimate affair with his hometown from Inner Magnolia. It’s both at once epic and personal – grand and delicate.

He really does play to both ends quite well. Really you can’t be more gangster than this.

Fresh off their tour across China, Li Dong came on next to remind me of why I love these guys so much and damn they sounded better than ever.

Seriously, this is a band that immediately plasters a smile on my face. Cheshire cat grin, stretching wide – not too many bands pull that off, but somehow they pulled it off – they’ve earned a spot in Willis’s membrane hall of fame. Better yet, they brought out some new material.

Shi Zhenkai on mic – hell yes. Malika on flute – more, now. Yeah this one’s shaping up to be quite the stirring tune – how long till the next album drops?

As mentioned before there’s nothing more intimate than a man and his guitar – somehow the two complement each other so much, acting as a portal into one’s soul – cliché, perhaps. But listen to Dongzi and tell me the man isn’t bearing it all up there

Hands down voice of the night– singers only dream of achieving notes like that. The closest thing I can relate this to are Italian sopranos – full of richness, deep sadness, and harrowing beauty. Dongzi does not mess around.

Wang Juan brought some much needed female presence the night, allowing her eternal affluent voice to warm up the joint.

No bells and whistles – just pure unfiltered folk. Though her performance might have had the least oomph, it’s hard to be bedazzled by a voice like that – one that can make an infant stop it’s crying and stare in awe. She’s got the chops for sure.

So what’s the perfect way to close off a night of folk goodness – how Wun Tun have a little fun on his bamboo flute

Not enough for ya – ok, well then –

how about Buyi giving the finger to folk and tearing up the joint with a heavvyyyy set of hard rocking folk melodies?

Yup, that’ll perk you up for sure. Had to let my hair down for this one – it’s just so fucking badass. When it comes down to it, these guys are the most consistent band I’ve seen all year – I’m never sick of them.

That’s how you close a Tuesday night! Kudos to all the fine artists tonight!