Dirty Projectors Perfect Performance At The Troubadour In Los Angeles 7/8/09

I just got home from The Troubadour in West Hollywood after watching an uplifting performance by the Dirty Projectors. Man on man I needed this show after the awful day I had. I kind of feel like the band needed this show to, as they couldn't stop complimenting us (their audience). I must say we were a good crowd, cheerful, dancey and full of energy. I even spotted Avey Tare of Animal Collective enjoying himself.

Dave Longstreth (the lead guy) in Dirty Projectors is straight up weird. At times Dave's posture and stance reminds me of David Byrne in the Talking Heads DVD "Stop Making Sense", but then other times he makes me think of clumsy and goofy ridiculously tall basketball player. Either way he is one of those guys that I feel would be super awkward off stage, but on stage he can get away with his awkwardness because he has orchestrated one of the more unique and experimental bands these days.

The girls in the band definitely have a lot of soul and even at times a little -do-wop-doo-wop. They totally have down the synchronized "ooooohhhh-waaaaaa" and the harmonious backup signing. If you close your eyes during some of Dirty Projectors' songs you might just think you are listening to an African rockabilly band from the 60's. Although, Dave (lead guy) has a little too much Grizzly Bear-ish pop in his voice to fool you for being black or rockabilly.

The only thing that I don't enjoy about the Dirty Projectors is their intense jam sessions where they almost sound like a miniature Dinosaur Jr. But, usually Angel or Amber's beyond beautiful vocals interrupt and I am immediately transformed back to my initial state of pleasure (pre-intense jam session).

Tonights show at The Troubadour was amazing. It was hot, sweaty and sold out, but somehow the ladies voices (Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian) still managed to give me the chills. The Troubadour was a great venue for Dirty Projectors to show off their new album Bitte Orca and maybe even get yet another great album review by some LA indie blog.

Watch Dirty Projectors recently released music video for 'Stillness Is The Move'.


Even though Amber Coffman tends to take the lead in most tracks and certainly in the hit song 'Stillness Is The Move', the other predominantly featured female in the band is Angel Deradoorian. You can also find Angel Deradoorian on the song 'I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend' by Discovery.

Lucky for Europe, Dirty Projectors are coming your way ...
09 September: Paris (FR), Maroquinerie
11 September: Dorset (UK), End Of The Road Festival
12 September: Isle Of Wight (UK), Bestival
13 September: London (UK), Scala
16 September: Dublin (IE), Whelans
19 September: Brussels (BE), Botanique
20 September: Amsterdam (NL), Melkweg
21 September: Berlin (DE), Festsaal Kreuzberg
25 September: Toulouse (FR), Le Printemps de Septembre Festival

Be sure to check out Dirty Projectors album Bitte Orca, it is not an album you should go through 2009 without listening to at least twice all the way through.