Concert Review: Sonos at SPACE, 3/9

Sarah — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:07:36 +0000

It’s not hard to pigeon-hole a cappella music as a quirky novelty act. A cappella music conjures up images of smiling, lovable-yet-nerdy undergrads, waving their jazz hands and singing versions of kitschy pop songs. If you’re not well-versed in the genre, at best, maybe you’re thinking of the cast of Glee (with their totally not a cappella music, yes, I hear you, band playing as backing track). And even then, you’ve probably got a bit of a snicker going on, because, okay, even I can admit it, a cappella can be pretty cheesy sometimes.

But not Sonos. While the members of this California sextet have their background in university a cappella choirs, they’ve expanded their repertoire far beyond Top 40 pop songs and into the far more juicy world of indie rock.

Yes, a show by Sonos features their recreations of songs such as Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place”, Bon Iver’s “Re: Stacks”, and Fleet Foxes’ “White Winter Hymnal”. Other artists covered include Bjork, Depeche Mode, Rufus Wainwright, and Imogen Heap, and that’s just on their debut album. They toss in covers of songs by Israeli/South African singer Yoav, the Jackson 5, and, okay, a little Britney Spears, just for fun. You can’t take all of the hilarity out of a cappella, after all.

The group put on a highly entertaining, captivating show, performing most (if not all) of the songs from their debut album, plus a few still-unreleased tracks (including one which remains so for, uh, legal reasons). Even more important than the inspired song choices, however, is the fact that all six members are very strong singers. You have to be, in order to sing unaccompanied and still manage to stay in pitch. Each member got a chance to shine, with lead vocal responsibilities never being relegated to just one person. Even beatboxer Ben McLain had a chance to pass the beatboxing duties off to the rest of the group for a while as he soloed on Yoav’s “Club Thing”.

If Sonos ever rolls through your town, take a chance and go see them. If anything, they might help to dispel a few of the preconceived notions you may have about a cappella groups. But I’m betting that you’ll find yourself spellbound by their great harmonies and innovative arrangements.

Sonos: Official Website | MySpace | Facebook | Twitter

This Week in Great Music: 3/8 – 3/14

Sarah — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:22:50 +0000

The entire world is gearing up for SXSW. I’m gearing up for reading tons of great blog posts about SXSW.

This week, I’ll definitely be at the Hockey show at Lincoln Hall. Hopefully, the power won’t go out on them like it did at Lollapalooza. I’m debating going to see Sonos tomorrow night; they’re an a cappella group and I’m a sucker for stuff like that. And that SXSW Send-off party at the Hideout looks too good to pass up. There’s a free show by JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound tonight at the Empty Bottle, but I also think that and they’re als playing at the Tonic Room on Wednesday, though I can’t confirm that since the only place I remember reading about it was on MySpace, which I can’t call up here at work.

Also, I don’t know what’s so magical about that Jeff Tweedy show at the Vic, because that’s one steep price tag.

Monday, March 8
The Magnetic Fields, Harris Theater. 7:30 pm, $30-35
Efterklang, volcano!; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $12
JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, Empty Bottle. 9:30 pm, free

Tuesday, March 9
Howie Day, House of Blues. 7 pm, $18-21
Sonos, SPACE. 8 pm, $10-18
Via Audio, Pattern is Movement, Blane Fonda; Schubas. 8 pm, $10
Califone, Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $15-18

Wednesday, March 10
Califone, Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $15-18
Vetiver, Empty Bottle. 9:30 pm, $12

Thursday, March 11
We Were Promised Jetpacks, Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $12-14

Friday, March 12
Muse, Silversun Pickups; United Center. 7:30 pm, $49.50-59.50
Jeff Tweedy, the Vic. 8 pm, $100-250
Gaelic Storm, House of Blues. 9 pm, $32.50-35
Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore, SPACE. 10:30 pm, $10-18
Hockey, The Constellations; Lincoln Hall. 11 pm, sold out

Saturday, March 13
SXSW Send-off Party: Via Tania, The Hood Internet, Mickey, Hollows, Tom Schraeder, Love Of Everything, Tyler Jon Tyler, Mittens On Strings, Plastic Crimewave Sound, Waco Brothers and the Life During Wartime DJs; Hideout. 3 pm, $10
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Bottom Lounge. 7 pm, $15
Jeff Tweedy, the Vic. 8 pm, $100-250
Gaelic Storm, House of Blues. 9 pm, $32.50-35
Zola Jesus, Beat Kitchen. 10 pm, $8
Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore, Schubas. 10 pm, $12

Sunday, March 14
Copeland, Metro. 6 pm, $16

How's My Living? » sonos

Concert Review: Sonos at SPACE, 3/9

This Week in Great Music: 3/8 – 3/14