Making his New Jersey debut was British singer-songwriter and Star Wars aficionado Dev Hynes, who goes by the name Lightspeed Champion. Even though I was never a fan of his previous band, the "nothing new" Test Icicles, his new incarnation is pure enjoyment. The man brings a lot of personality to his music and his live show.
The semi-setlist (with some new song editions)
- Galaxy of the Lost
- Marlene
- Dry Lips
- No Surprise
- Madame Van Damme
- Tell Me What It's Worth
- Dead Head Blues
- All to Shit
- Star Wars Melody
- Star Surprise
Although his songs are about the pitfalls of everyday life, the music is rather lovely. When I first heard his debut album, Falling off the Lavender Bridge, I kind of pictured him singing with a wilted bouquet of flowers in his hand. His songwriting is on point, especially on my favorite song Galaxy of the Lost. It's such a sad sack song, but you feel his optimism.
Tonight, he started off the show with that tune with a some help from my boy Keith Murray of We Are Scientists (who will be stopping by this space soon for a lively chat about the new album). It goes along with Lightspeed's ethos, in that most of his material is a collaborative effort along his friends including Emmy the Great and Florence and the Machine.
Musically, he could fit into the anti-folk scene in New York. He mixes up styles and incorporates strings and steel guitar to make endearing music for the masses. It's really easy to like because it comes from a genuine place and he has a sense of humor with his sad sap songs.
Dev plays a loose live show, so he likes to chat up the crowd. He seems like a real sweet guy, who's up for any kind of tom foolery. The crowd was small tonight, so it made the show feel like a cozy chat among friends. He got excited about his Conan O'Brien performance for today and asked everyone what the next show they were seeing. I'm seeing These New Puritans.
Anyway, check out some of his material, including the epic 10 minute closer for the night, Star Surprise, it's a hodgepodge of styles in one -- kind of like the Bohemian Rhapsody for British indie singer-songwriters from former post punk, new wave bands.
As a side note, I like his hat, just not in the summertime. Also, his drummer is the cutest girl I've ever seen. *sigh*
Opening up was Team Love's Flowers Forever, one of the many side projects of Derek Presnill, the guitarist of Tilly & The Wall. I've been going to Maxwell's for 13 years, and I've never seen such an ellaborate light set-up for an opening band. They have the house lights shut off so that they can use black light, strobe lights and flood lights to get their set some style. Also, they have a fog machine and giants deteached heads peaking out over the band members. On top of that, they rock early-90s indie style. It's a chance for Derek to tap into his inner-Pavement.
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