Words and Photos by Aaron Richter
It’s only been a few hours since Department of Eagles performed at Bowery Ballroom (their fourth show ever), and I’ve already pretty much forgotten their set. Yes, it was that boring. All the whistling, looping and banjoing simply came across as a even-more-directionless Grizzly Bear. My girlfriend fell asleep leaning against my back and, once shaken awake, proclaimed it music for college republicans. Ba-zing! EIC Andrew said I should still recommend their album In Ear Park. But I’m not gonna.
Less blog jizz has been spilled over openers Here We Go Magic (a group led by singer-songwriter Luke Temple), who were superb thanks to their set-closing performance of “Tunnelvision,” a cascade of whispers and acoustic guitar strummed to circle hypnotically like a rootsy new breed of Animal Collective. Also, the band’s keyboardist is a white Kyp Malone. Check more photos (though none of white Kyp) after the jump.
[Dude played banjo and whistled. Groan.]
[This was their fourth show ever, and they told stories like Canadians.]
[My Name Is Earl played bass.]
[This is Here We Go Magic (aka Luke Temple with band).]
[Luke's guitar looked like he found it in an attic.]
[They closed their set with "Tunnelvision." Everyone should hear this song immediately.]
4 Responses to “I WAS THERE: Department of Eagles and Here We Go Magic, Bowery Ballroom, 1.19.09”
actually you sound like a college republican. Who says “Dude played banjo and whistled. Groan.”???
You’re an idiot
sick burn
That mess was so boring. Lyrics like “Hey old friend. Haven’t seen you in while. Come sit next me. [an allusion to something mysterious that Old Friend did one tiiiiiime]” are so trite.
Here is a (not verbatim) story they decided to tell:
“We recently played Philadelphia and I randomly yelled out ‘Go Eagles!’ and, like, 60% of the crowd were hardcore Eagles fans who were like ‘WOOOO YEAH!!’”
you’re boring.