Last Thursday I was lucky enough to catch Ken Camden and Stars of the Lid at the Regent downtown. SotL performed with the Wordless Music Orchestra, with whom they have shared a stage multiple times recently. Perhaps the most well-documented of those shows was the one at the Basilica Of Our Lady Of Perpetual Help in New York. As of that concert in 2013 the duo hadn’t performed live in almost five years. You can still download that show from the WQXR website here.
Ken Camden opened the evening with two or three pieces of varying lengths. I haven’t heard any of his studio recordings but I really liked the way he layered sounds and combined guitar with synthesizer elements. As a recording artist who has released three albums via Kranky Records, I should know him by now. Alas, I was completely unfamiliar before this introduction, and now I can safely say I want to hear more.
The combination of Stars Of The Lid and the Wordless Music Orchestra felt like a natural one. Strings have been a part of the duo’s dronescapes for as long as I can remember, and the addition of cello and violins to their keybords and guitars really helped flesh out the compositions. The most natural comparison would be to Adam Wiltzie’s side project A Winged Victory For The Sullen, whom I saw recently at the El Rey. SotL was a bit heavier, and had the bonus of featuring great visuals. If I had to choose between the two I’d take SotL for the visual stimulus and the wider sonic spectrum.
Setlist:
Generous Abandon
Requiem For Dying Mothers, Part 1
Requiem For Dying Mothers, Part 2
December Hunting For Vegetarian Fuckface
Mulholland [MP3]
