Concert Review: TV Girl @ The Echo, Silverlake, CA 02.01.2012

The night was fantastic. (Read that sentence in your best Christopher Walken voice!) And that’s really all you can ask for: to head out into the night in your chosen metropolis, imbibe a few beverages (some paid for and some a gift from the indie music gods), pass the hours with good company, better conversation, and the best in undiscovered music. TV Girl was the soundtrack to just such a night last Wednesday as they opened for Fujiya and Miyagi at the Echo in Silverlake.

Once again this tale starts off with my freakishly neurotic promptness. Doors were supposed to be at eight-thirty. I was parking my ratmobile at eight-fifteen, bound and determined to not miss a second of Syffal favorites, TV Girl’s set. But, when I got to the door I was told that it was too early and to come back around nine. Foiled again. It seems that no matter how hard I try, I am destined to become recognized as that dude in front of the venue smoking solo cigarette after solo cigarette. Refusing this fate, I hoofed it to the next lot over and took a piss on the First California Bank sign, resigned to wandering around East Sunset Blvd. for a half-hour. This fate was quickly dispelled by a message from TV Girl’s management and upon hearing my predicament was invited for a drink across the street at Prado. It felt a little bit like the music journalist version of internet dating. How will I know it’s you? I’m in a jean jacket at the end of the bar. Ok, cool.

After a beer and some laughs, it was time to head back across the street. My company had tripled and I found myself walking through the crosswalk accompanied by not one but two lovely ladies, my buzz settling in, and a spot on the guestlist. That last part was frankly what I was most grateful for, because in the time since my early arrival, a considerable line had formed. We quickly made our way inside and headed straight for the bar. I’m a sucker for the four dollar Pabsts. It wasn’t long before TV Girl was finishing setting up and seemed ready to go. With anticipation I put my hands together, not in prayer, but in celebration for what I hoped would be an entertaining set.

I was not disappointed. I am learning quickly, that while labels of pissmop, Fucktard, and dad are regularly dispensed between the Syffal staff, we are all purveyors of quality music. Nothing in my life has been as reliable as the music recommendations of my favoritest taint worshipers. This was to be no exception, as TV Girl played a fun set that had the growing crowd moving and, after each song, releasing ever-increasing waves of grateful applause.

The set started uniquely with some fun samples as Trung Ngo manned the electronics. He was joined on stage by fellow television female, bassist and vocalist Brad Petering, and a more than adequate drummer and guitarist (Joel Williams?). It wasn’t long before, with indie-pop stylings all their own, we were moving and smiling and clapping along. TV Girl’s sound isn’t overwhelming, but it isn’t minimal either. It’s a well-crafter blend of pop sensibility drenched in indie rock deliciousness. I was told that to refer to them as “sun-soaked” or “sun-drenched” was a no-no. So Fuck it, shit was sunny C.A. all day. Even in the dark Echo, TV Girl is unmistakably San Diego. It’s like a sweet, gentle lover, but one that may never call again, or even remember your escapades at all. TV Girl has a dirty innocence, is laid back but only because they fucking want to be laid back, sun-fucking-drenches by throwing bottles of Sunny D at you. There I hope that about does it.

After TV Girl’s set, I managed to communicate my appreciation and enthusiasm, made sure to secure the set list (thanks L-Boogie), and proceeded to concentrate less on the subsequent sets and more on my drink, my company, and some spinach pizza that was either the most amazing pie I ever wolfed down or it stands proud amongst the Mexican pizzas and Ultimate Cheeseburgers of the world as quite possibly a drunkards perfect food. I’m pretty sure it was the latter, but you probably already figured that one out. It wasn’t a late night, but a great night. Did I just really write that? Fuck it! So here’s to new friends, dead camera batteries, cheap beer, Camel Crush, and badass music! I eventually made it home and promptly fell asleep with a stupid fucking smile on my face. And in the end, aren’t those the best nights?

Setlist:
1. Keep Me Distracted
2. I Wonder Who She's Kissing Now
3. Girls Like Me
4. I Don't Care
5. On Land
6. Sarah
7. Lizzy Come Back to Life
8. If You Want It
9. It's Not Something
10. TV in the Bedroom
11. It Evaporates

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