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09.04.2008 4:19 pm
Psychedelic pop from SF at Cicero’s Saturday
Matt Fernandes
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The New Up will bring some of the West Coast’s good vibrations to Cicero’s on Saturday.

The indie rock quintet’s sound can be described as having a peaceful vibe with an edge. Guitarist Noah Reid provides soft psychedelic fills over ES Pitcher’s steady voice. Hawk West’s flute playing figures in prominently.

The usual suspects are among their influences — Radiohead, Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, Led Zeppelin and the Pixies – and they sound eerily similar to Baton Rogue’s Eames Era. It’s polished stuff and they should attract plenty of fans during their first national tour.

They are playing in support of their new CD, Broken Machine. It is to be the first in a trilogy of albums. I caught up with Pitcher as she chilled near the Golden Gate Bridge while taking a break from teaching at Fort Mason.

***

RC: Music wasn’t your first pursuit in college, correct?

EP: No, I was a dance major at Columbia (College) in Chicago. I started playing music and loved it so much. Every time I’d learn a few new chords I’d write a song. Now I’m trying to learn other people’s songs, so I guess I went about it the opposite from most! I have four older sisters and grew up on classic rock. No cheesy boy bands were allowed – I definitely would have gotten a lot of crap if I came home with boy bands. I remember (Neil Young’s) Decade – how simple he was and lot of music that moves me even now is simple.

RC: How is the San Francisco scene treating you?

EP: Good. I think people are really picky here, though. The scene really gives you a run for your money. When we play in other cities, people dance more to the music. It’s a smaller city though, which is a good thing. There are not a sea of bands here like in New York or Los Angeles. We have had a little more of an opportunity to get our name out in the local scene.

RC: What subject matter do you write about?

EP: A lot of it explores the spirit — finding yourself in a dark place and needing to be there in order to experience the light. It’s about the trials and tribulations in a chaotic world and finding the essence of peace within. When I’m in a dark place I try to manifest it through music as opposed to taking it out on other people.

The New Up with Life in Jersey (KC) and Building Rome (STL)

9 pm Saturday

Cicero’s, 6691 Delmar

Ages 16+, $5 ($8 for under 21)

www.myspace.com/thenewup

www.thenewup.com

Click here to read a review of their recent tour kickoff show.

 


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