Photo by Daniel Peterson
WELCOME TO AZTEC DINOSAUR ISLAND
Four travelers find themselves in the future, past, present or some place and time beyond our human knowledge. Coming from different places our four travelers have found each other on AZTEC DINOSAUR ISLAND and have united to try and communicate with the other side by all means necessary. Each of our four friends will display the skills of their specific trade, wether it's singing, touching, dancing or just feeling. Please help our travelers, our friends, for they are only human and in need of our love.
FROM TODAY'S OREGONIAN NEWSPAPER:
Good news and fair warning: A small herd of musically creative kids is armed with iMacs and roaming the Northwest nightscape. Local indie-label States Rights Records held a showcase of talent late Thursday night at Machineworks -- three artists and one DJ presenting an anti-linear, audience-interactive concert of collected sounds and convulsive moves.
After spazy-spinner DJ Hot Air Balloon opened the show with some of clubland's current best beats, YACHT took the mike, explaining the stage's tribal decor, and the theme of the night: "Lost on Aztec Dinosaur Island." Primal and postmodern, the motif proved a fitting frame as each artist took turns hunching, apelike, over a shared laptop. Programming a sequence of beats and pops, YACHT (aka Jona Bechtolt) then jumped across stage and onto the floor, moshing to his musical mish-mash.
With a white T-shirt wrapped around his head like a sonic security blanket, Lucky Dragons (Luke Fischbeck) crouched at the computer, stringing together his stretches of sounds. His ambient set seemed tighter and better conceived (though he had to take a break to bandage a bleeding arm injured while dancing). Bobby Birdman, indie-rock's new American idol, closed the night, crooning cabaret-style torch songs over Powerbook-powered noises. Birdman's laptop-meets-lounge act worked because he sold it like a pro. He's blessed with a voice that could melt hearts and hard-drives.
Located somewhere way off the map, States Rights Records' Dino Island is one crazy, nonconformist, wild and weird place. And when's the next plane back? -- Lee Williams
FROM MY FRIEND MIKE'S BLOG:
The States Rights Records Night was amazing! The Aztec Dinosaur Island concept was so brilliant and well done. Fiona was saying how she loves Steve's DJ-ing, and wants to go to a Steve Dance Party. I hadn't seen the YACHT full length show in a long time, as he usually plays a shorter set when he is town to give more time to the touring bands. I love how he manhandles the monitors. It's always good to hear the Lucky Dragons play, even if he has to take a break in the middle to stop the bleeding. And Birdman wrapped it up so well. My favorite part of the night was when he had the crowd on stage clapping and he was playing the piano and singing. It looked like an amazing high school play. The crowd was so willing to participate and get involved! Great job Steve! -- Mike Merrill
FROM THE PICA TBA BLOG:
Right. Y.A.C.H.T. But Bobby Birdman and Lucky Dragons and DJ Hot Air Balloon did their respective things, too.
And they’re all on States Rights Records?
I guess so.
And they’re like DJ’s or something.
Definitely "Or something."
What?
Or something. They didn’t spin records, well, some did, but that was more of an aside. They wove together loops with various kinesthetically-linked electronic moments while kinda making love to their Mac’s ... Or maybe it was more like a form of prayer than lovemaking, but not "prayer" in the Christian sense of the word – although they did kneel a lot. It was more vodoo-licious and unadulterated than the highly proscribed movements you’d see at most Sunday services – like they were being whipped around by the music, or a giant invisible dog, or I guess a dinosaur, one with small arms and big teeth. But then again there were moments when they were definitely kissed by a comforting Pacific Island breeze rustling through palm fronds and transfixed by the hypnotic pull of meticulously imaged Mayan calendar wheels spinning about. It worked.
Did you say they made love to computers?
Not literally, but kinda. They danced, which on some level is like a cloudy window into how someone might be in the sack. Know what I mean?
Nope.
Regardless, it was a performance and surprisingly enough, visually it worked. It was kinda frantic and sweaty and weird, but honest and unhindered – like when you sing your favorite song in the comfort and security of your own car, or when you dance in your living room when no one else is home. It was wild and unashamed and geeky in a knee-weakening way. Know what I mean?
No.
Oh. Well ... it was good. -- MIKE
jona, this thing looks awesome. i wish i could live in a place like oregon and the portland section of that. good going, keep it moving, and never, oh i say never take whack from any one.
schroeds
hey jona
i'm in milan when you play there with devendra, i'll be there! do you still tour with him?
all the best man!!!!!
tyfus
Jona wish I could have seen it too man. If your ever in the San Antonio area give a shout. If I'm not here (across the Atlantic) I'll be there. Sounds like your livin' the life man....keep it real...represent what?
Peace,
carl
it made me really happy to read this and i wish i had been there so much! everyone must tour to ann arbor. please. i will cook you dinner and make your stay as luxurious as possible.