The future is now, old man. L.A. band Sextile is bringing the party whether you like it or not. Equal parts Fad Gadget, Soft Cell, Miss Kittin & The Hacker, The Fall and Andrew W.K., Sextile is in the vanguard of the New Post-punk scene (see: Boy Harsher, Cold Cave, Kaelen Mikla, Geneva Jacuzzi, Doll Klaw, etc.) that has veered into pure synthed-out energy and ecstasy. Originally formed in Brooklyn, frontman Brady Keehn and keyboardist/vocalist Melissa Scaduto are the driving force of the operation, backed by bassist Cameron Michel (whom had left the band during a hiatus), and Lisa Braswell on her kick-less, stand-up drum kit of ka-boom. Playing from their two feature albums, A Thousand Hands and Albeit Living, plus their 2018 EP, 3, at San Franciscoβs The Chapel last night, there is plenty to dance to, plus new music on the horizon. Their latest single βModern Weekend/Contortionβ (written after their ex-bandmate Eddie Wuebben tragically passed away in 2019) was met with critical and fan acclaim. Keehn also mentioned that several songs on the setlist tonight (which had a more drum and bass feel) were new songs off a forthcoming 2023 album. Skipping the pleasantries of an encore (βEncores are cheatingβ, according to Scaduto), it was non-stop stroboscopic darkwave party vibes till the very end. Youβll be seeing more of Sextile wherever you find fine dance music.
Soltera
If you ever wondered what a Spanish-language crossover of Christian Death, Nine Inch Nails and Siouxsie & The Banshees would be, Soltera (aka Tania OrdoΓ±ez) along with her friends Pacoima Techno and Emo Shakira, is your answer. Reveling in her synth-goth darkness, it was heart-pumping, adrenaline-chasing party time to get ready for Sextileβs takeover.