Sister Crayon at The Echo
Echo Park, L.A. 7/16/15
Last night was one for the ages. For many people a great night out consists of getting shit-faced and waking up next to a stranger. God knows I've had my fair share of that kind of turnt. But last night I was reminded that a fucking awesome night doesn't have to go til the sun comes up, doesn't have to involve armloads of drugs, doesn't have to see the bottom of a bottle of whiskey, doesn't have to ruin me for days.
I went and saw an amazing band rock my stupid face off, many friends, and totally made it home in time and in a condition to NOT be a complete wreck today. It was actually kinda nice.
Guyguysguysguys... GUYS! I finally saw Sister Crayon, y'all!!! After two albums I hold very dear, and a couple of missed opportunities, Mars and Jupiter and Mercury and even Pluto, you litter fucker you, finally aligned for me to be there when Sister Crayon's particular brand of musical magic happened.
The venue was the Echo. The Echo is like an old girlfriend I've been inside it so many times. Located on Sunset Blvd. opposite end of the "Sunset Strip" in Echo Park, Los Angeles, and with the walls plastered with concert posters from one quality act after another off-the-beaten-path superstar, The Echo is well on its way to legendary. My friend Bonnie was house-sitting right up the street. We could have walked to the venue, but we're Angelinos and totally drove. The doors opened at 8 and Sister Crayon went on promptly at 9 pm.
Sidebar: I love seeing a band at 9 or 10 pm and still being able to choose whether to go bar-hopping or home before it's tomorrow. I can't stand waiting until 1 am to see an underground headliner after everybody who came to see the opening acts is already gone.
Y'all need to stop doing that shit!
Sister Crayon are Terra Lopez and Dani Fernandez. Terra Lopez is the natural front for the duo, bleeding charisma and beauty and with a voice like the thermal wind that birds ride. Dani Fernandez is all flailing hair and drumsticks and rock solid boom bass badassery; she is the granite to Lopez's rush of fresh air. There are some other moveable components but those two talented fuckers are Sister Crayon's bread and the butter. Last night's show also included an outstanding live drummer.
Sister Crayon aren't hip hop. They aren't indie rock. They aren't like EDM or whatever. They are a sinfully, delectably heavily heavily breaks-driven, apocalyptically synth-wrapped, and at the tippy top of the mushroom cloud are Lopez's soul-shredding vocals. I tried the rest of the night to explain to people who had never heard of Sister Crayon what I had just experienced and it's difficult. But I can't trumpet their genius any more potently!
From "Biceps," "not ready for this love," refrain to "Ride or Die" and its bombastic heights, the newly minted record, Devoted, was gleefully represented. The Echo always does a great job with lighting and sound. There was a subdued but appreciative packed house. Then again I feel like the only one freaking out about everything all the time. So maybe it was just that I was so fucking geeked. Wouldn't be the first time.
Another thing I love about the show was-and I can see why Ceschi put out these guys' previous record on Fake Four, Inc. because he does this too-no matter whether the house was packed and collectively losing its mind, or chill and nodding mattered not one fucking iota. Both of these bold beauties bang the drum and bleed bad regardless of what you do! Their energy is palpable, their grit undeniable, Sister Crayon's collective voice is a rabbit punch to the solar fucking plexus.
After the show, Bonnie and I made our way over to SC's merch table and hugged and introduced ourselves to Terra. I'm such a dork and so shy most of the time, embarrassed that I'll make an awkward mess of everything, but I was compelled to actually go say what's up this time. My love for Sister Crayon's unique combination of influences runs bone deep.
Finally, we headed to a bar downtown and caught some rap sets from rap friends and did rap shit for minute or two hundred. But this isn't their review. We drank $2 Tecates at a bar we barely belonged in. I ran into almost all my favorite peeps. Shook many hands. Hugged many homies. Got home remarkably sober and chill and happy. Last night was A fucking Plus!
Sister Crayon, what you guys do is special. Your talent is remarkable. Your voices, both literally and figuratively, are important. There just ain't nobody doing what you guys do like you do it. And I LOVE you for that! Terra, Dani, thank you!
PS: Sorry about the shitty iPhone pics. The good camera got fucked up somehow.