The Icelandic septet kicked off the outdoor performances at the criminally under-attended Baeble day party, and their stop in Austin kicked off the band's all too short American tour. Unlike their more ethereal compatriots Múm and Sigur Rós, Seabear plays a firmly grounded and compelling brand of indie folk. The comparisons to Sufjan Stevens are apt, and Seabear's subtle songs evolve into swirling arrangements of keyboards, horns, and violin--always hinting at something deep and booming below the surface.
Unlike most Austin venues, the Scoot Inn stage gave even a band of Seabear's size enough room to spread out, with an entire courtyard of surrounding space for fans. The abundant space, however, cut both ways. At worst, it highlighted the fact that there were initially more Baeble videographers and photographers than fans. The set up probably yielded some awesome concert footage, but it didn't yield a particularly intimate performance. Frontman Sindri Már Sigfússon has his own type of quiet charisma, with his ice blue eyes staring out over the crowd, but it was unfortunate that we all hadn't been pressed in a bit closer. But as Seabear continues to gain recognition on their brief American tour, I'm sure that I'll have that chance in the future.
http://www.seabearia.com/
http://www.myspace.com/seabear
