Pop Montreal Review (((((VETIVER)))))

Okay. Vetiver is a fucking awesome band. Last nights’ Pop Montreal opener show just helped confirm that for me.

Chief songwriter Andy Cabic teamed up with Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, Hope Sandoval and others back in 2004 to release a self-titled debut album and has, since then, relased three full length follow ups, started a record label (Gnomonsong – with Devendra Banhart and Gary Held from Revolver) and finished his third LP, ready for release in February.

The show last night included arrangements of some older songs from the first album and new material that will be released next year. I am used to hearing Vetiver with mostly acoustic guitars, cellos, harps and harmonies. But, last night they brought out a more rocking vibe along with some electric guitar, bass and drums. It was a great move for the touring show seeing that everyone in the crowd was dancing along to songs they would usually choose as the soundtrack to a setting sun in the country side.

I picked up a copy of the most recent release and had a chat with Cabic after the show about the label, the recording process and the way they approached the latest album Thing Of The Past. It was done live, off the floor with all the musicians together in one big room (see post on “Howard Billerman’s Recording Fortune Cookies” for affirmation that recording in a big room is good). The songs chosen for the album are a selection of covers by songwriters such as Elyse Weinberg, Louon Wainwright III, Michael Hurley, and Townes Van Zandt.

Alright, I’m gonna go have a listen…