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Clapping Hands, Happy Feet, Jersey Girls and

Ben & Vesper

Oh, My!

The Sounds Familyre Family

Invades Brooklyn....

It was one of the first relatively balmy nights of late-winter, following some record-setting snowfalls and frigid temperatures, as Sounds Familyre's traveling musical fellowship - Danielson, Ben & Vesper, and Ortolan - brought their particular magic to New York. The Knitting Factory, newly relocated from lower Manhattan to Brooklyn's historic Williamsburg, provided a a warm, if smallish, space for the eclectic trio of acts to perform in. The near three-hour show highlighted new music from fresh projects by Ortolan and Ben & Vesper and a far-encompassing 'best of' set from Danielson, making 'family' of us all.

Dan Smith himself was a constant, if unassuming, presence in and among the crowd - overseeing the performances of his label coalition in an almost protective, fatherly way - proud of being connected to what was being played onstage. The enigmatic Sufjan Stevens, the wunderkind of the Asthmatic Kitty label, was also in attendance simply as an observer, and barely noticed by most of the crowd (many who, no doubt, would be familiar with his all-too-infrequent, critically-acclaimed albums, especially Illinois). Such is the ambiance of a Sounds Familyre label show: a family-run musical carnival where artists, family and guests gather for communal experience. It was a good night for your choice of pizza or Thai food and interesting music in Brooklyn...

The opening act was Ben & Vesper, the husband and wife team, supported by an excellent group of musicians well-qualified to handle the unusual timings of songs like “LuvInIdleness,” the title track of their new EP, which happens to be produced by the aforementioned Sufjan Stevens (LuvInIdleness can be previewed and ordered at http://www.soundsfamilyre.com/music.php?releaseID=117 ). The six piece band included bass, trumpet, drums, Ben (on guitar and vocals), Vesper (keyboard and vocals), and Ben's brother, Joshua, on guitar. The adventurous, challenging music of this duo was performed with energy and just a bit of mystery. Joshua Stamper, by the way, has his own brilliant self-released instrumental album available at  www.joshuastamper.com – for those interested in string-driven jazz/chamber music. 

Ortolan, a female quartet from New Jersey, performed songs from their new project, Time on a String, and their self-titled EP.  Using keys, bass, drums and guitar, the members of Ortolan combine the kind of Eisley-inspired harmonies that only sisters (and one sister-in-law) can produce. Their full-length debut is available at http://www.soundsfamilyre.com/music.php?releaseID=119 .  To cap off the night, Danielson took the stage, eight members strong – Daniel Smith, on amplified acoustic guitar and vocals, is clearly the centerpiece of the ensemble, his high-pitched vocal delivery backed up by drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, percussion, and back-up vocals. Smith has a strong visual sense and every member of the band is an extension of his artistic sensibility – from head to foot (literally), dressed in outfits that suggest a combination  of letter-carriers and boy (or girl) scouts, topped by headgear with the familiar heart-shaped logo and finished off with custom-designed shoes, the group is a total artistic statement.

Hearing and seeing Danielson perform in a live context is a total-immersion experience, involving sing, clap and snap-along involvement from the audience. Most of the players have assembled from the bands that went on previously: Josh Stamper (bass), Ben Stamper (guitar), Vesper (keys and vocals), Stephanie, from Ortolan (vocals, percussion), and the astounding Patrick Berkery delivering spot-on textures and patterns on drums. Incorporating songs from a wide range of albums, including such Danielson 'hits' as “Did I Step on Your Trumpet,” “Idiot Box,” and the recently recorded, “Moment Soakers,” the high-energy set had something for everyone – in fact, when the band is Danielson, there's not much they can do that would disappoint. 

The child-like sound and attitude that trickles down from Daniel Smith makes a Danielson concert a party, but that shouldn't fool you into thinking that the music is simple – in fact, the songs are multi-layered compositions with intricate timings and pin-point starts and stops. Like the music of another visual artist-turned-musician, Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart), Smith's music sounds chaotic on the surface but is tightly structured underneath. The child-like joy that shines through the performance is testimony to the results that are accomplished through the hard work of excellence, and dedication applied to an innocent spirit. If you want to experience a little bit of what Jesus was talking about when he taught us to come like little children, it might not be a bad idea to try to get to a Danielson concert next time one comes around. Being childlike might be cooler than you think...