Tree Wave: Live in Austin
Tree Wave's gear
Austin, you guys should head out to the Mohawk tonight for a rare chance to see the incredible electro-pop performance art of Dallas' Tree Wave. In introducing this show, I'd be remiss if I didn't first mention Tree Wave's "instruments", which include a bunch of antiquated computer gear from a more primitive era: a Commodore 64 from 1983, an Atari 2600 from the late '70s, and a mid-'80s model Compaq PC and Epson Dot Matrix Printer.
It's nothing short of mindblowing to watch Tree Wave's Paul Slocum utilize this seemingly obsolete machinery to create lush, organic electronic pop that has drawn comparisons to My Bloody Valentine and the Postal Service. The music is synchronized with hypnotic visuals that Paul programs with the game systems, and we hear that he has created some new video art projections for the Mohawk residency. If nothing else, you sort of have to see the magic he creates when attempting to play a perfect game of "Dodge 'Em."
mp3:
Tree Wave May Banners
Tree Wave Sleep
Denton's Mom, whom we've talked about before, will open. The evening will also feature the gorgeous video installations of Michael Bell-Smith, whose work has been chronicled in the New York Times and by Rhizome.org.
****************************
Tonight's show is part of the gorilla vs. bear/Hot Freaks June residency, and was made possible by Dallas' And/Or Gallery, KEXP, the Onion, and Austinist. Show starts at 9:30, and cover is only $2.