Here's Devin's first live show review! So maybe it's written by Brandon Strecker, who happens to be not only Devin's brother but also a member of The Traitors, but hey, at least he took the time to write it! He posted the review on his blog,
External Mind Drive, which we recommend you check out and follow.
Devin Tait Live at The Other Door 2/8/12
The Other Door is located on a slightly sleepy stretch of Burbank Blvd, it used to be a lesbian establishment called Moon Shadows. I had been to Moon Shadows many times and even played there once in my old band. I was immediately impressed by the changes in decor they had made, though I felt a bit like they were over reaching to charge a $5 cover for what is still essential a neighborhood bar, albeit a very nice one.
The event began early on a Wednesday night, so only a small crowd had the pleasure of hearing Devin Tait perform. Listening to the sound man set up and check I quickly felt much better about where my $5 cover went. The sound system in the bar has been heavily upgraded and having a competent personable sound man there for the evening is no small expense.
Devin usually plays shows with a band as Devin Tait and the Traitors, and in the interest of disclosure I will admit that I'm usually a Traitor. This was a rare treat for me to be able to just sit back and listen. When playing solo the shows are quieter and simpler, just Devin and an electric piano.
The show opened with "Alien Nation", the song has been re-worked since it was recorded for his album and now features a stunning intro and outro, both of which really add a layer of drama. The intro with big open chords becomes the perfect counter point to the large left hand bass drones that start the first verse. It felt like a perfect way to start the set. Devin was confident on this tune and the vocal delivery in particular stood out as being spot on.
After the first song Devin took a brief pause to introduce a cover by what he said was one of his favorite bands. He then Launched into "Doctor Doctor" by the Thompson Twins. For a song usually dripping with Synthesizer it translated well to the piano.
A never before played live B-side was up next, "k18" which was just released as the flip side to the single "Tape". Some of the vocal notes in the first verse of this song appeared to put Devin's low vocal register to the test, but he did manage to always just reach them. The song is quite beautiful and I found my self transported to lonely stretches of American back roads as it played.
"Strange Season" is a stand out Track from Devin's 2011 album "It's Never the Way You Imagine" and every bit of the beauty and atmosphere of the songs translates in the live performance. The vocal melody towards the end seems to have even evolved further in the numerous live performances since the albums release, there is an added power and confidence that has Devin evolving the melodic them ever so slightly, giving the song resolution live that it barely hints at on record.
"Roam" by the b52s was played next. The entire room was singing along and clapping to this one. It's ambitious to take any full band with multiple vocalists songs and play them in a stripped down solo format, but it can also be very rewarding, allowing the listener a glimpse of the song below.
The evening's highlight was the live debut of "Underwater Breathing" the 10th Track from "It's Never the Way you Imagine It". Something really came together by the time this song came up in the set. I'm not sure if the sound man made some additional tweaks or if the arrangement of this song just really shines on piano, but the bass notes in the verses of this song were simply amazing. This is the longest song from the album and it's quite a feat to play the entire thing live. Building from a beautiful piano intro, to the power of the left hand in the verses the chorus then just soars. The emotion portrayed in this song is deep and easily relate-able. The delivery of the lines: "I can't be the only one, can't feel so lonely,I had your back now I see you leaving, Suspended in motion, arrested progression, I will remain underwater breathing" provided the emotional high water mark for the evening. The instrumental break with the solo during this song was nearly note perfect, if not for one tiny flub the entire performance would have been flawless.
The set closed with a cover of "Speechless" by Lady Ga Ga. A powerful tribute from Devin to his life partner. At this point in the set the vocals were so confident an powerful it would have been easy to hear every word from the parking lot without a microphone. A very nice way to close the set, sending the folks who had gathered here off into the night feeling good.
It was a fine set, and I was glad to be there to bear witness.
Devin Tait plays again with the Traitors this Friday at Red Rocks on the Sunset Strip at 10pm.
