Lower Dens Plays Tonight at The Parish
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Jana Hunter, songwriter and frontwoman for Baltimore-based Lower Dens, was listening to artists like Kraftwerk and Brian Eno while working on the band’s second album, the absolutely spellbinding Nootropics. You can definitely feel those late ’70s art rock influences, paired with the conscious decision to use less fuzzed-out guitar similar to that on Twin Hand Movement (2010), and bring in more electronic sounds. Hunter actually wrote most of the tracks using a small synthesizer while on tour.
Once again, Lower Dens successfully reinvented itself. Nootropics leads you into a dark, swirling, atmospheric trip of electronic textures and pulsating drone, a perfect pairing with Hunter’s rather existential self-reflection in her lyrics. And there is something about the tone, the moodiness set throughout the entire album, that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end - eerie and enthralling.
This is definitely an Austin Music Minute fave. Be sure to catch Lower Dens tonight at The Parish, 214 E. 6th St. The bill includes performances by doomgazer popmeisters No Joy and the superbly surrealistic Alan Resnick. Doors open at 8 p.m. Don’t miss out. Recommended.
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