On The Scene: XP 26-07-2012

XP is slowly picking up steam…with a show just about every night (even some afternoons), film screenings, talks, I believe it’s shaping out to be quite the haven for alternative music – not always to my taste, but always intriguing. Last Thursday night’s ringer was New Zealander Ash Smith’s shoegazing electro-pop project Secret Knives, along with noise rockers NMLK and electro-popstress Jia Huizhen, who continues to impress.

Someone said it best outside before the show, it’s never a good way to go if you start emulating Carsick Cars’ sound. This was definitely the case for NMLK (short for Naked Martians Loop a King), who came off as a younger slackier version of Carsick Cars’ though with perhaps a little more love for The Velvet Underground. To be honest though it didn’t bug me too much – everyone has their heroes’ and hell, I’m sure if I grew up with them as I’m sure they did, I’d be emulating them as well.

The fact of the matter is I got a kick out of their scrappiness, and playful nature of their songs. Having the back and forth, and combo singing between the two guitarists was a nice touch as well, and more likely than not saved some of the songs from turning into grating.

But I’m being too harsh. Overall, when these kids kept the tempo up, I was having a blast.

Jia Huizhen got quite the reaction tonight from folks – seems word of mouth has been good for them as they continued to prove their worth tonight.

It’s hip, is damn catchy, and keeps things smooth, hyperkinetic, and slightly offbeat, enough to veer them away from being another pop duo outfit. These two work well together, and Jia looked hundred times more comfortable on stage tonight – ripping into these high notes when necessary and not being afraid to make her voice ugly, and more intoned with the rebellious anger that I’m finding more and more in her stuff.

As someone else mentioned, at times, it sounds like there are really too many layers of sound and texture smashing together – I’d be curious to see what they would sound like if some of those beats were recaptured live. Nevertheless, Jia Huizhen is on the right track. She might even found herself a stalker or two tonight if I read the crowd correctly. Now that’s a step in the right direction if you ask me.

Secret Knives completely came out of left field for me – no expectations, no reference points. Other than the fact that Brad and Michael of Jingweir (amongst things) were brought in as the backing band, I was going on nothing here. Boy, am I glad I catch a hold of them though, as this is my kinda dig.

Dreamy glossy guitar-heavy pop – you can particularly see the ultraviolet rays bursting out of their set. With an achingly expressive voice and lyrics of Ash Smith, which feel like they were created in the confines of his bedroom, to the electronica haze that settles over their set, to the guitar freak outs peppered throughout, this is smorgasbord of everything that’s right up my alley.

Really, the only thing that pissed me off, was how short their set was – understandable considering the number of rehearsals the three had together – but hell, I’ll still bitch and moan if I want to. At least I was able to download their album “Affection” right here on bandcamp – chewy spree that’ll satisfy those ear buds for some time. Mmmmm..chewy spree. Check out some more videos from Jia Huizhen and NMLK below.