Although they are without a doubt some of the finest musicians to be touted by taste-makers (with an incredible album to back up those claims), the odd-rock of
The Dirty Projectors found an initially difficult footing in the cavernous soundholes of Terminal Five. Despite some early sound imbalance, Dave Longstreth and his crew tightened up the noise and made for one of the best shows of recent memory. But no surprise there.
Bitte Orca, and more notably their entire seven album catalog, is full of sleeper songs, that start out in odd tempos and explode at unexpected moments. Much like a field of mines, the show unfolds (especially for those who are casual fans) much like the first five minutes of a surprise party... over and over the band pulsates up and down, undulating with the beats that 75% of the audience can't find (demonstrating it by attempting to dance). Bobbing to a Dirty Projectors song is kind of like having tourettes.
Still, it's hard to deny that these excellent musicians are crafting something unique and enjoyable... even the
Bitte Orca bandwagon can agree they are both relevant and reliably awesome. Perhaps that is why they join Wavves in opening for Phoenix at the increasingly indie-rock infiltrated Madison Square Garden on 10/20. Catch them then or on one of their other numerous fall dates. -
joe puglisi
Tour Dates for The Dirty Projectors
9/13 - Wilbur, Boston, MA
9/14 - Le National, Montreal, Quebec
9/15 - Opera House, Toronto, Ontario
9/17 - Metro, Chicago, IL
9/18 - Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI
9/19 - First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
9/23 - Glass House, Pomona, CA
9/24 - The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA
9/25 - Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
9/26 - Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
9/28 - Aladdin, Portland, OR
9/29 - Aladdin, Portland, OR
9/30 - Showbox, Seattle, WA
10/5 - Duke University, Durham, NC
10/20 - Madison Square Garden,
11/6 - Orange stage, Fun Fun Fun Fest, Austin, TX
12/7 - Koko, London, UK
12/10 - ATP presents Bowlie 2, Butlins Holiday Camp, Minehead, UK
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MP3: "Stillness Is The Move"
The Dirty Projectors on Myspace