You know how you watch a TV show and the kids in the show seem to grow up so much between one season and the next? Yeah yeah, I know it’s definitely been that way since I last posted but that’s also exactly how it feels every time I see Sunflower Bean. And it’s not just because they’re so young (vocalist/guitarist Nick Kivlen and drummer Jacob Faber are 22 and vocalist/bassist Julia Cumming is 21); the shy quiet kids that didn’t interact with the crowd that much in 2014 are brimming with confidence and it shows in their vocals and in their songwriting. After recently touring with Wolf Alice, these “kids” are back in their hometown, playing at the recently opened Elsewhere in Bushwick.
New venue Elsewhere just opened on October 31st and this was my first time there. The Hall has a capacity of 700 but feels cozier. For such a small venue, the stage is a great size and larger bands wouldn’t feel like they’re falling over each other.
Local band (Brooklyn via Omaha Nebraska) Navy Gangs opened the evening with some kickin’ garage band rock. And why not, these guys look like they’re barely out of high school and could have played at your last dance! Lead singer/guitarist Matt Tillwick has a nervous energy onstage that’s infectious and you could tell the band was having a great time. Isn’t this what being in a band is all about?
NOTE: all photographs are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography. Full set of photographs can be found here
Up next was Beverly, a mainstay in the New York indie rock scene. They rocked to a crowd that was very familiar with their music. At one point, vocalist Drew Citron came to the front of the stage and had a fan sing one of the verses. This is one local band that needs to start headlining shows so they can play a full set.
Finally, Sunflower Bean entered the stage. The energy in the crowd was palpable and, after the first song, when Julia told the crowd they “should be stage diving or something”, their fans promptly obliged. I even managed to get kicked in the face as a fan crowd surfed towards the stage! Right away, you could tell that the band had evolved, especially with Julia’s vocals. Belting out her lyrics, you had a Pat Benatar-like rock star in the making! The band played much of their debut LP, Human Ceremony, as well as some new songs including recently release single, I Was a Fool. The new music definitely has a 70s rock sound to it, with some songs soft and dreamy like Fleetwood Mac with Nick and Julia alternating verses. Older songs 1983 and Easier Said drew the biggest crowd reaction with some heavy but happy moshing. Sunflower Bean definitely left the crowd happy.
The band will be recording their next video this coming weekend before a well deserved holiday break. They will be touring with Sleigh Bells in the new year with a stop at Brooklyn Steel on Feb 13th.
