Friday, October 1, 2010

Zola Jesus for President. No wait - Zola Jesus for JESUS.

This past Wednesday, Zola Jesus made her first Detroit appearance in a performance at the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit. Her set started a little after midnight, and was relatively brief. Brief but amazing. Which was a huge saving grace since everything leading up to her set was hardly passable, let alone amazing.

Zola Jesus, for those who don't know, is tiny. Very tiny. She is also apparently 21 years old or so. For a voice like that to come out of a girl of that stature and age is astounding to me. She had a band with her - three guys on synths/keyboards and a drummer. Think The Cure circa Disintegration with a powerhouse female vocalist with the commanding presence of somebody much larger. Wow.

Now, I don't want to be one of those "I hate the CAID" people. I don't hate it, and the institution itself is not my main gripe here. But I can't help but question why, somebody who's as critically acclaimed and talented as Zola Jesus has to make her Detroit debut here as opposed to someplace you know, way better. Like virtually all other music venues in the city. Especially since this show was presented by the Crofoot. Which, last time I checked, had several ROOMS worth of way better music venues, all of which have better sound and lighting than the CAID. I mean, maybe there was some discussion and Zola Jesus personally said, "I refuse to play anywhere but the most obscure of art galleries that also double as music venues - preferably ones with questionable security and a history of runs ins with the police." It's possible, right?

But even so - you've got ZOLA JESUS playing your obscure art gallery. So you know, maybe step it up a notch and pull together a killer show. I think this is a reasonable request - not to mention a prudent marketing and financial decision. The caliber of Zola Jesus' performance was so far above and beyond the two other bands on the bill that it seriously felt disrespectful and embarrassing - like Detroit couldn't be bothered to bring out some of (even one of!) its many fucking awesome bands to play this show with her. Instead we got Wire Eyes (aka The Ramshackle Bedroom Folk Sniffles) and Turn To Crime (aka Hey Check Out My New Noise Act Don't You Like Wavves Too?). Oof. The first band was anemic (they announced they all had colds when they started playing but I have a hard time believing they're usually more dynamic) but were at least listenable. The second act was embarrassing. Maybe I'm not cool enough to pretend being terrible is awesome. But give me a break.

And another thing... this is the second Something Cold related event I've attended now. The first one being a show where I was one of maybe three people not in one of the bands playing that night. I like the concept of this, and the guy in charge seems like a really cool dude with a love of music and Detroit and all that is good and fair. That's why I am presenting to you this little pro tip/because I care suggestion: You play/spin really great music. I actually love listening to your selections. But you are playing your shit WAY. TOO. LOUD. When there are four people standing around waiting for a band to start, don't crank it up so that those people can't talk or think. Because that's why they go wait in the other room. I don't think that's what you're looking for - in fact, on your Facespace page it says "Dancing...Dancing...Dancing... Everybody's dancing." No they are not. So you're ruining it for yourself and for all of us. It's a lose-lose! Turn it down!

Next time Zola Jesus comes to town, you need to go. And she needs to play someplace with a kick ass sound system and a working time keeping device. I hope it is sooner rather than later. I'm kind of obsessed now.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did you forget to like eat some food or take your anti depression medication cause seriosly this is harsh especially for a girl from ferndale that is into the shittiest indie pop ever. Also who do you think you are miss wonder twin. Maybe if the caid sold 6 dollar coffees you could dig. Also the caid has done a great job of trying to bring out a diverse lineup of local acts from Detroit so if your gripe is with thinking those dudes are elitist scum, then you have been under a rock. Maybe they are willfully obscure to ween out the haters. Come on out the water is nice. Everyone who works there volunteers there time for free. They are trying to save the little money they don't give to touring acts to buy a new Pa. Hey maybe you know somebody that has a hook up. Maybe we could all be friends instead of reverting to talking bullshit over the Internet like a couple of 14 year olds with cracked hormones. I mean it's ok you just need to like read some more blogs or something before you try and talk shit again cause you sound dumb girrrrl.

(Laura) said...

Thank you for your concern about my current medication regimen. Outside of seasonal allergy medicine, I'm not currently taking anything, particularly not psychotropic meds. I'm not sure why you think I'd like the CAID better if they sold expensive coffees - in fact, I was happy to donate a few dollars for a cup of mystery beer. I appreciate the spirit and the people of the CAID.

This post isn't to make a blanket statement about the CAID and the shows they put on. It is about this show in particular. "Willfully obscure to ween out the haters?" That seems like the worst booking policy ever even for a venue that only strives to make enough money to survive/buy a new PA. And you accuse ME of insinuating the CAID is elitist? Hmmm...

I completely stand by my statements regarding this show, so help me Zola Jesus.

MurdervilleTrolley said...

woa, simmer down buddy. i don't think she really said anything offensive. i'd hardly even consider that "shit talk". willfully obscure to ween out the haters? that's just stupid. why book any opening bands at all. that we can ween out any potential haterz. except of course for those who come looking for six dollar coffees.

Anonymous said...

Ehh. I mean, I see your point that it would have been nice to see bigger/more established Detroit bands to play. But when I spoke with Nika, she said she really enjoyed both sets. Her drummer also said that he was more used to playing in venues like the CAID than these huge ones with the XX, and that he was happy to be there because of it.

Toby said...

The CAID is an 'obscure art gallery'? Are you actually serious? Where the hell have you been for the last 15 or more years? Obviously not the Detroit art and music scene, because you would know they've had some of the most off-the-radar punk, noise, and cutting edge shows in the area and are a perfect fit for Zola Jesus. It was intimate, and judging by the size of the crowd, appropriate.

You just put down decades of hard work by the owners of the CAID and all the bands who have chosen to play there.

One more thing, your column in MT is embarrassing, at best.

(Laura) said...

Thanks for your comment Toby. I was beginning to worry that not enough people were going to get incredibly touchy and overreact to my, by virtually all standards, rather mild complaints and statements about this show and the CAID. I also can't help but notice that you call me out for using the word obscure, and then follow that with, "they've had some of the most off-the-radar punk, noise, and cutting edge shows in the area." So if I had used the phrase, "off-the-radar" instead of "obscure" would that have made you happy?

D'Anne Witkowski said...

He's right, Laura. Your column in Metro Times is totally embarrassing. I can't believe I'm associated with you.

Please note, this comment is off the radar.

Jean-Luc Garbo said...

Oh, Zola Jesus. She's a big favorite of mine. I have a major crush on her, too. I'm so glad that you like her, Laura! What did you think of the new EP?

(Laura) said...

The new EP is fantastic. I can't say I have a crush on her though - otherwise I become a "creepy cradle rockin' lesbian." And that's one category I would like to avoid being placed in. ;)

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