Any indie rock band performing in Brooklyn is tantamount to a virgin stand-up comedy routine. The audience wants badly to be impressed, and they are unashamed to loudly vent their impressions. This usually happens mid-performance, usually between songs, and usually concealed as a compliment. “I love your guitar strap!” “Your hair is immortal!” “Just play that song…again!”
Such was the vibe at Bar Matchless in Williamsburg, Brooklyn as Canadian Invasion and Golden Bloom performed back-to-back sets. Philadelphia’s Candian Invasion kicked off their set with a synth-loop, a moment sadly void of theatricality—the keyboard beeped and the quintet stood around awkwardly for 8 bars. The proceeding full-sound entrance was welcome as bass and drums pulsed behind a thick wall of electric guitars.
Lead-singer Andy Canadian’s midrange vocals rarely charged forward, frequently relying on harmonizing with rhythm guitarist Chris Morita. Canadian saved his upper, more powerful range for choice climatic moments. Guitarist Eric Miller weaved in and out of the mix with frequent use of his electronic bow.
The band mainly churned out four-four rock. Canadian’s switch to an acoustic guitar halfway through the set for "One Hand Claps the Other" provided some needed textural change. Late in the set, the band shifted gears with a longer arrangement that featured a rock-waltz and a whoop chorus. Ultimately, the band’s restraint became a featured character in their show, and the crowd was left ready for a full-on invasion.
Led by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Shawn Fogel, Golden Bloom took the stage with tight, crisp guitars and the sonic equivalent of your favorite coffee, served hot. Fogel’s musical prowess was on full display as the band easily snaked among various time-signatures mid-song. The driving rhythm section joyfully sustained the beat through every piece. Layered over their thump was Fogel’s falsetto, frequently harmonized with lead-guitar melodies.
At one point Fogel spoke about disgraced Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich and then delivered a brief biographical art-song about the politician. Apart from this piece, the rest of Golden Bloom’s set rocked true. "Doomsday Device" bopped and bounced around the room, and the cover of a cover, "Lying To You," featured great guitar hooks
The respective lead singers prepared a bevy of self-deprecating anecdotes to offer between songs. This tactic served to neutralize hipster-hecklers, but it sometimes egged them on. “Your monologue was erudite!”
