Cubic Zirconia hit the Karmaloop stage at Beauty Bar under the back yard tent in the high sun. A couple hundred people filed in the space, managers, DJs, bands and friends from New York and LA sparsed through the crowd with a curious familiarity. They hit with energy, the set was fluid, calculated, and most importantly fun as could be. Sean Carasso of Falling Whistles asked me “can they keep this up for 6 days?” and I told him “they’ve already done six days.” It was a rabbit out of the hat, yet there’s always logic and the prestige with magic.
Behind the scene, things are discussed about shows, life, business and responsibility. There is direction with no compass, no rules or map to abide by. Each one is driven to reach more people.To greet fans or friends or enemies or hosts with open arms. The ultimate prestige for such a new and diverse band.
Behind the scene, things are discussed about shows, life, business and responsibility. There is direction with no compass, no rules or map to abide by. Each one is driven to reach more people. To greet fans or friends or enemies or hosts with open arms and willingness to understood or be understood. And if not that’s not enough, well you can pretty much fuck off.
We strolled the city, trying to get a bearing for the next few days in between interviews with LP33 at the Convention Center and CMJ on top of a dumpster. After a day in the sun, it was time to head back to the house for some much needed downtime and relaxation before the show at Speakeasy that night.
Before the show, I took a walk around the corner with Dantana and checked out the Warp showcase. We had met up with Hudson Mohawke during the day and really wanted to see that set. Walking up the stairs I heard the drums of Pheonix, a one of kind mash of chaotic time signatures, bass and fluttering sample chops. He was hunched over his computer, controllers and turntables with the Olivier Daysoul, his new soulful MC on tour who sang and hyped the crowd without overbearing the already heavy set.
After the show, we cruised back over to Speakeasy where Madlib was spinning in one room and Cubic Zirconia played the next. The crowd was a bit shaky at first but by the second half they were all at the front of the stage dancing and chanting the chorus. The energy was so high off the early day show, they had nothing to lose and actually ended up gaining even more fans.
I stepped back to the Warp show right after to catch the second half of Flying Lotus’ set and ran hung out with Josh Marcy and Computer Jay. I can’t lie, I’m a huge Fly Lo fan and it’s always a treat to see him live but by that point, I was done and had to call it a night.
Today is our one day kind of free, and then tonight we rock with the band’s close friend Mike 2600 at the Burlesque showcase with Bird Peterson and more at Silhouette.
Also – Julian lent me his digital camera so I’m taking these photos. Check out some more over on flickr. Here he is hanging out with Paul Wall.
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