Sinkane genre-hopped his way through a transfixing set at Bar le Ritz PDB (review)

Sinkane at Bar le Ritz PDB
Wednesday, February 18^th 2015

Upon arrival at Bar le Ritz PDB, it was obvious Sinkane would be playing to a smaller crowd than anticipated. Typical for a mid-week show, the mass of humans filled a mere 1/4^th of the modest venue. The opening band, Cookies, had just finished their short set as Gallab began setting up his synths.

Ahmed Gallab, the man behind Sinkane, sported a charming red toque and a t-shirt with the word LOVE printed across his chest. Gallab’s hat sat perfectly placed atop his head, looking as though it might tumble off at any moment.

The stage was bare, and suddenly the entire band seemed to appear in a puff of smoke from behind a hidden door. The four men took their respective spots, looking stoic and serene (or possibly stoned). Gallab strummed his guitar a few times, and a tropicália wave descended amid the audience. “Jeeper Creeper,” from Sinkane’s last LP, Mars, opened the set. The song started sharp and punchy, though a sour string of feedback rang heavy through the first few minutes of the track. The band members glared at one another, moving strategically from side to side, hoping to solve the problem. Eventually, the kink worked itself out, and they broke into a gracefully constructed, progressive Pink Floyd-esque bridge.

What is most incredible about the musicians that comprise Sinkane is their obvious intuitive skill. Gallab’s previous work as a session musician for Yeasayer, Caribou and of Montreal (among others) is evident when he’s performing. He is a true master of his machines, drifting between guitar and synth with innate ease. Sinkane’s guitarist Jonny Lam played a few slow numbers on a lap steel guitar. It was a treat to watch him placidly press a miniature metal bar against each string. Both bassist and drummer kept time and pace with utter accuracy. Sinkane’s genre bending set explored the sprawling instrumentals of late 90’s Chicago, Afropop, soothing bluegrass, 70’s psych rock, tropicalismo and chilled-out funk. The cascading melodies and continuous beats led a gaggle of beautiful girls towards the front of the stage, where they danced enthusiastically, screaming with devotion after each track. Gallab stopped for brief second to comment on their presence, asking the rest of the audience why they hadn’t joined in.

The crowd seemed most transfixed during songs from Sinkane’s recent LP Mean Love, (DFA records), specifically, the self-titled track “Mean Love,” and their popular single “How We Be.” Gallab’s emotive vocal register and good looks took the tiny audience by storm. His red hat stayed propped up until Sinkane’s final song when it finally came cascading down. Gallab snatched it from the floor as the band exited stage right into the night.