LimeWire Music Blog

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this particular Xeno and Oaklander show. I had grown accustomed to viewing the band in fog-drenched clubs, cavernous echo reflecting off archaic New York City brick and concrete, with austere lighting surrounding the minimal synth duet. However, the band performed on this uncannily warm April Sunday to a crowd of college students as part of the annual WBAR-B-Q, and though the extreme sunlight, humidity, and copious amounts of mediocre snowcones were in direct contrast to any previous Xeno and Oaklander experience, the band lost none of their edge in the stark translation.

Before Xeno and Oaklander took to the top of the lawn, we were forced to endure several rather rotten noise acts, each of which lacked more structure than the last. I’m  keen on experimental music, but the bands in question (names withheld for lack of memory) noodled endlessly, without reason or conclusion, often sputtering to a stop without warning or finesse. However, soon after the worst offender, Xeno and Oaklander launched into a set of more melodic, structured music that seemed to perk the crowd up considerably. Synthetic drones gave way to driving drum boxes, culminating in a mix of the arpeggiated cold synth and the warmth of analog equipment. The extremely talented and tech-savvy pair wielded at least five synthesizers with the greatest of ease, counterbalancing the analog onslaught with both driving male vocals and ethereal female croon, depending on the tune. The result was a cold and menacing, yet soulful set, one of the best I’d seen from the band to date. Several new numbers from the band’s upcoming full-length mixed seamlessly in with old chestnuts, including the likes of “Two Eyes” and “Blue Flower,” the latter which ended the set with false endings and layers of drone feedback.

The extremely talented and tech-savvy pair wielded at least five synthesizers with the greatest of ease, counterbalancing the analog onslaught with both driving male vocals and ethereal female croon, depending on the tune. The result was a cold and menacing, yet soulful set, one of the best I’d seen from the band to date.

As previously stated, none of the band’s drive, magic, or intensity was lost in the blue spring sky, and we were all fortunate for this rare treat from one of New York’s best underground artists. Xeno and Oaklander’s next gig, for all interested parties, will be taking place on Friday, May 15th at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, as the band is one of many to kick off this year’s No Fun Fest. In fact, Friday is the only date of the three that hasn’t sold out, so be sure to act fast.