Phantogram @ Il Motore 02/21/2010

We first heard the name Phantogram during our interview with The Antlers‘ Mike Lerner, who named their new album Eyelid Movies as one of three that he couldn’t stop listening to. Thanks to Mike, we can’t stop listening either. Last Sunday, I had the chance to sit down with the band for a quick chat, and then see them perform.

As if Il Motre wasn’t small enough, the show was made incredibly intimate by the less-than-overwhelming turnout. With students away for reading break, not to mention the Sunday-night of it all, it was clear that Il Motre had seen better days. Despite the turnout, or perhaps because of it, Phantogram launched full force into their set; it was clear that they were there to play music no matter who was around to hear it. Taking their mellow, dream-like sound and adding a glitchy, electronic edge, Phantogram surprised the crowd with music that you just couldn’t stand still to. The atmosphere of the night was one of general happiness to be there: the outwardly odd-seeming crowd comprised of left-over university students, probably-underage high schoolers, and a wide variety of adults (ranging from parental types, to professionals, to professors also enjoying their break) mixed and mingled and passed around dance moves all night. At the end of the show, the two members of Phantogram just hopped off the stage to hang out with everyone.

Adding to the dream-like vibe of their music, a friend of the band had created a visual element to accompany the show. Behind the band was a constant swirl of shapes and colors that matched the music perfectly. Even through this visual distraction, though, Phantogram had a strong stage presence that kept your eyes trained on the artists. It was hard to focus on either member alone, though, as they continually  played off of each other’s energy, dancing between soft harmonizations, louder singing, guitar jams and ever-interesting beats. Their ability to  interact personally with the crowd afforded the band an opportunity to introduce themselves to the crowd, showing that they are quite personable in real life (as opposed to aloof or mystified, as the music may lead you to believe). Phantogram took what another band might consider a flop of a night and turned it into an event that I would have been sorry to miss.

Enjoy these tracks from Eyelid Movies, and be sure to check our interview with the band that  sealed our love for the dreamy duo.

Mouthful Of Diamonds – Phantogram
[audio http://thenewmontreal.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/01-mouthful-of-diamonds.mp3]

10,000 Claps – Phantogram
[audio http://thenewmontreal.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/11-10000-claps.mp3]

Posted by Maurizio