Rewards & Warpaint at The Studio 12/1

Writer's Note: Sorry for the lack of photos but the lighting at Webster Hall isn't very good with my camera. Also, while I'm not fond of giving this type of review, I think it was necessary. I need to be honest. I think Rewards are rad but the show just wasn't up to par. Hopefully they're better at Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight. All the best!

Last night I went to the Studio at Webster Hall to see Rewards open for Warpaint. Doors were at 8pm, but Rewards, a band featuring Aaron Pfenning of Chairlift, didn't perform until 9:30pm. Naturally, I was annoyed because it made more sense for them to start at 9pm, there was already a bunch of people there. No need to wait. But then again the band only played a 23 minute set. What annoyed me was the way the sound check was handled. Aaron wasn't even there to do a mic check. No one even bothered to check his stage left mic either, which would prove to be a bad  idea later. 

The band starts playing some nice music, then Aaron comes out and attempts to sing but you could barely hear anything. Obviously. There was no mic check. So I think the sound guy is trying to adjust levels during the performance. Aaron seemed unsure of what to do. It may have been nerves, the poor sound check or the fact that I was too close to the stage (sometimes you hear too much or don't hear enough when up close), but the sound did not do justice to the band. Throughout most of the set Aaron's wonderuflly breathy vocals could hardly be hard. This was a disappointment. From the songs I've heard, "Two Cardinals" and "I Used To," the vocals were almost mesmerizing, not in that breathtaking way, but in a way where coupled with the music you can be taken to a different place and get lost in the music. Rewards has a calming yet upbeat sound which by the end of the set turned out nicely, but then all of a sudden it was over. So when it got good, it was over, far too quickly. If Aaron is to garner any attention he needs to be more moving, practiced, and comfortable. Tonight the band fell short of evoking the aliveness their recorded music brings. Sadly, Rewards earned no prize tonight.

Here's some advice for new bands:

1. INTRODUCE: You want to introduce yourself before an audience member yells "Who are you." If you introduce yourself, fucking introduce your bandmates, too. Okay?

2. SOUNDCHECK: Sound check with all the members or at least have someone sound check for whoever is not there. There was 1.4 hours the band could've sound checked up waited until 10 minutes before the performance to. The guitar and drums were fine, but no Aaron's mic and guitar.

3. SPEAK: Talk about your band a little. Get people interested in your band. If your a new band this is extremely important. You need to show some personality. All I remember hearing was Aaron lowly saying "We are Rewards" and thanking Warpaint. That's all well and good but introduction your band, tell us there's merch, tell us a joke, tell if you have music out, where your from. Something. Otherwise the set will prove to be the big B.

LA's Warpaint played a much more relaxed, yet spot on set that comforted me in just the right places. The beat were steady, the guitar was intricate, poised, and delicate, and the bass was groovy. Drops of psychedelia, slowed rhythms with steady and swift drum beats provide a lushful vibe for Warpaint's set. The vocals were pretty. At points Emily, Theresa, and Jenny Lee all sang together, their voices meshing beautifully together. The band's Facebook describes the band as smooth and smokey. I agree.

Warpaint Setlist 12/1/10

1. Bees
2. Stars

3. Composure
4. Undertow
5. Warpaint
6. Set Your Arms Down
7. Beetles
8. Burgundy
9. Elephants

Encore:
10. Majesty