By Alexandra Edwards; photo by Ian Darken
Some days, it feels like Venice is Sinking is finally getting the recognition they deserve. Their video for "Ryan's Song" premiered on the front page of Stereogum in February and since then the band's new album, AZAR, has received glowing reviews from the likes of NPR and Venus Zine. But other days, the band still feels like Athens' best kept secret. Their record release show, this past Friday night at Kavarna, felt a lot like the latter. In the smallish coffee shop, the band played flawlessly to a crowd of about 40.
There is a strange pleasure in the band's powerful slow-build orchestral pop. It's a pleasure uniquely suited to being taken in leisurely, comfortably seated in a quiet coffee shop, able to contemplate each note. Kavarna proved the perfect venue to showcase their sound. The staff pleasantly kept everyone filled up with beer (and coffee) and the sound mix filled the space without being overpowering. The placement of the stage, in front of a big wall of windows, afforded listeners a picturesque view of a quiet night in Decatur. The five-piece did their setting justice as well.
From their first notes, Venice is Sinking's dreamy wash of sound perfectly demonstrated the strengths of their album: sweeping instrumental moments, quiet, almost delicate vocals, and an uncanny mix of viola, horns and indie guitar pop paired with songwriting sensibilities bordering on epic. The music was mellow without being boring, playful without being forgettable. Vocalists Daniel Lawson and Karolyn Troupe shared secret smiles in between their quietly sung verses, while James Sewell pulled double duty on keyboard and trumpet, occasionally playing both at once. Drummer Lucas Jensen cracked jokes from behind his kit during pauses. His main advice for the night: don't replace the beans in your shaker with Grape Nuts, as he had done that day, because they really don't work the same.
The audience mostly hung back from the stage, arrayed between tables and at the bar, appreciating the music quietly. It's a nice change from the bar scene to see people sit still and listen, but it's hard not to feel like Venice is Sinking deserved a more passionate response.
These Athens kids can't stay secret for long — they're just too good.
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