Pygmalion Fest: BLK JKS, Maps & Atlases, So Many Dynamos

September 30, 2009

Both musically and geographically, BLK JKS added an extra dimension of diversity to the Pygmalion Festival lineup. The band are originally from South Africa (although they said during the set this was a myth and they’re really from a van parked behind the venue) and they mix vocal chanting, blues-rock guitar, and tribal drumming creating a full-bodied, powerful sound. Their rhythmically-inclined tunes are meant to be heard live,and the drummer especially is a sight to behold, both methodical and wild as he pounds out the fills and beats. Added to the thundering riffs and harmonic vocals, and you can see why this impressive band is on the rise.

MP3 BLK JKS – Molalatladi

When I featured Maps & Atlases a couple years ago on this blog they were a tiny Chicago band with only an EP to their name. I haven’t kept up with them too much since then but it was obvious by size and enthusiasm of the crowd that they drew, that they’ve done well for themselves (according to their wikipedia article they’ve even appeared in a PBR ad for The Onion. Double hipster points!). The math-rock group have fine-tuned their techinical proficiency on guitar, continuing to prefer tapping the frets then the traditional strumming. The jammed-out songs offer plenty of time for guitar noodling, which gratefully, is the band’s specialty and very fun to watch.

MP3 Maps & Atlases – Artifacts of Sound

I wasn’t expecting to see So Many Dynamos but after Maps & Atlases finished, I overheard that the Edwardsville, IL-based band were playing at a BBQ joint about a block away and decided I’d check them out. I only was able to catch their last couple of songs but it was enough to interest me in checking out some of their danceable guitar rock tunes. The best track I’ve heard from them so far is the opener off their latest album The Loud Wars, “Artifacts of Sound”. The driving, frantic drums and mathy guitar are reminiscent of Minus The Bear in the best possible way and make me wish I was around to see the whole set, but since they only live a couple hours away so I’m sure they’ll be by again.

MP3 So Many Dynamos – Artifacts of Sound

Click here to see the more Pygmalion pictures.

BLK JKS

Maps & Atlases

So Many Dynamos

Posted by Taylor in Festival, Live