Bitter:Sweet @ The Independent, San Francisco
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Last week, I was lucky enough to catch Bitter:Sweet perform at San Francisco's The Independent Club. It was the first stop of their ongoing US tour in support of ??The Mating Game??, their debut album released via Quango.Bitter:Sweet is an electronic/trip-hop duo with "strong jazz influences." The band is comprised of Shana Halligan, who provides vocals, lyrics and composes the songs, and Kiran Shahani, who produces and composes the songs. 
Their sound is obviously influenced by Portishead. The eeriness of a smooth female vocalist on top of cuts/scratching and break-beats is something I'll always attribute to the Bristol electronic legends. At first, I was apprehensive about this obvious correlation, then after a drink or two, I decided I wasn't going to hold it against them. This made their music much more enjoyable to me. Sometimes you just got to accept things for who and what they are in the moment and not get caught up on the pretense. ??Live for today?? sort of thing.It was a packed house at the Independent-If not sold out then pretty damn close-as the group entered the stage and started up. It was clear they were about to exercise for us a certain degree of professionalism you don't get with most acts. They have it together, their sound is crisp and clean. Shana and Kiran's (who was on bass) backing group had a legit DJ along with a very talented violinist. They weren't here to mess around but didn't demand our respect, they were earning it.There were a few instances during the group's set where I noticed the entire audience was awestruck and eating right out of the palm of Ms. Halligan's hand. She was very aware of this as well, and didn't seem to hold it against us. It's always refreshing to see a natural performer do their thing, especially when they're good at what they do. If she's jaded by all this, I couldn't tell. She maintains the qualities of the 'girl next door' and it was clear that throughout the night, everybody's eyes were focused firmly upon her.
Now, I'm not saying that the crowd was awestruck of Ms. Halligan like when Billie Holiday would sing "Strange Fruit," and how the audience was so too stunned to applaud, but more along the lines of when you meet someone you know is a special person, but you just can't explain why because your overwhelmed. To the group's, as well as Ms. Halligan's credit, Bitter:Sweet is more than just a good looking woman. Their sound is delightfully complex: diverse, yet not inaccessible.The venue was packed with sexual energy, but a mature energy that wasn't sleazy or foreboding in the slightest. This was all too much to take in for one female fan who jumped on the stage and started doing the booty clap in front of Ms. Halligan. It seemed like the lady wanted to ??sex up the joint?? and fell back on what she knew. In her attempt to heat things up, the woman got her 15 --minutes-- seconds of fame, a nod from the band and a giggle from the crowd before she was handled off the stage by the venue's staff. The band, along with the crowd seemed to loosen up after that lady's clapping of her booty. I don't know if it's my inner sadist, but I thought it was pretty cool to see her get shoved off the stage, as well. ??Start your own band, lady!??The title song of their debut album, ??The Mating Game?? is tragically hip, but the song I really wanted to hear was "Dirty Laundry," which has an epic yet sensual feel to it. They played it last before their double encore."CLICK HERE TO LINK TO THEIR MYSPACE AND LISTEN TO THE TRACKS":CH
In short, Bitter:Sweet are a rare act in a lot of ways. Not because of the music they are making but rather their approach. They are defining their scene as they go along. I imagine other acts like them will pop up after they gain more mainstream success, but I don't imagine many will be able to hold a candle to what their doing. Overall, this group is refined and talented. I'm looking foreword to their upcoming release, ??The Remix Game??, which is due out this September.I recommend checking Bitter:Sweet out, no matter what music you are primarily into. -Sturg*ON TOUR*Aug 17 2007 8:00P To Be Announced MinneapolisAug 18 2007 8:00P Subterranean Chicago, IllinoisAug 19 2007 8:00P Magic Stick Detroit, MichiganAug 21 2007 8:00P Club Cafe Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAug 22 2007 8:00P Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAug 23 2007 8:00P Bowery Ballroom NewYork, New YorkAug 24 2007 8:00P Nine Thirty Night Club Washington, Washington DCAug 25 2007 8:00P The Jewish Mother Virginia Beach, VirginiaAug 27 2007 8:00P House Of Blues (Cambridge Room) Dallas, TexasAug 28 2007 8:00P Emo's Austin, TexasAug 30 2007 8:00P Club Congress Tucson, ArizonaOfficial Site:http://www.bittersweetmusic.com/[CH]http://www.myspace.com/thematinggame
Their sound is obviously influenced by Portishead. The eeriness of a smooth female vocalist on top of cuts/scratching and break-beats is something I'll always attribute to the Bristol electronic legends. At first, I was apprehensive about this obvious correlation, then after a drink or two, I decided I wasn't going to hold it against them. This made their music much more enjoyable to me. Sometimes you just got to accept things for who and what they are in the moment and not get caught up on the pretense. ??Live for today?? sort of thing.It was a packed house at the Independent-If not sold out then pretty damn close-as the group entered the stage and started up. It was clear they were about to exercise for us a certain degree of professionalism you don't get with most acts. They have it together, their sound is crisp and clean. Shana and Kiran's (who was on bass) backing group had a legit DJ along with a very talented violinist. They weren't here to mess around but didn't demand our respect, they were earning it.There were a few instances during the group's set where I noticed the entire audience was awestruck and eating right out of the palm of Ms. Halligan's hand. She was very aware of this as well, and didn't seem to hold it against us. It's always refreshing to see a natural performer do their thing, especially when they're good at what they do. If she's jaded by all this, I couldn't tell. She maintains the qualities of the 'girl next door' and it was clear that throughout the night, everybody's eyes were focused firmly upon her.Now, I'm not saying that the crowd was awestruck of Ms. Halligan like when Billie Holiday would sing "Strange Fruit," and how the audience was so too stunned to applaud, but more along the lines of when you meet someone you know is a special person, but you just can't explain why because your overwhelmed. To the group's, as well as Ms. Halligan's credit, Bitter:Sweet is more than just a good looking woman. Their sound is delightfully complex: diverse, yet not inaccessible.The venue was packed with sexual energy, but a mature energy that wasn't sleazy or foreboding in the slightest. This was all too much to take in for one female fan who jumped on the stage and started doing the booty clap in front of Ms. Halligan. It seemed like the lady wanted to ??sex up the joint?? and fell back on what she knew. In her attempt to heat things up, the woman got her 15 --minutes-- seconds of fame, a nod from the band and a giggle from the crowd before she was handled off the stage by the venue's staff. The band, along with the crowd seemed to loosen up after that lady's clapping of her booty. I don't know if it's my inner sadist, but I thought it was pretty cool to see her get shoved off the stage, as well. ??Start your own band, lady!??The title song of their debut album, ??The Mating Game?? is tragically hip, but the song I really wanted to hear was "Dirty Laundry," which has an epic yet sensual feel to it. They played it last before their double encore."CLICK HERE TO LINK TO THEIR MYSPACE AND LISTEN TO THE TRACKS":CHIn short, Bitter:Sweet are a rare act in a lot of ways. Not because of the music they are making but rather their approach. They are defining their scene as they go along. I imagine other acts like them will pop up after they gain more mainstream success, but I don't imagine many will be able to hold a candle to what their doing. Overall, this group is refined and talented. I'm looking foreword to their upcoming release, ??The Remix Game??, which is due out this September.I recommend checking Bitter:Sweet out, no matter what music you are primarily into. -Sturg*ON TOUR*Aug 17 2007 8:00P To Be Announced MinneapolisAug 18 2007 8:00P Subterranean Chicago, IllinoisAug 19 2007 8:00P Magic Stick Detroit, MichiganAug 21 2007 8:00P Club Cafe Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAug 22 2007 8:00P Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAug 23 2007 8:00P Bowery Ballroom NewYork, New YorkAug 24 2007 8:00P Nine Thirty Night Club Washington, Washington DCAug 25 2007 8:00P The Jewish Mother Virginia Beach, VirginiaAug 27 2007 8:00P House Of Blues (Cambridge Room) Dallas, TexasAug 28 2007 8:00P Emo's Austin, TexasAug 30 2007 8:00P Club Congress Tucson, ArizonaOfficial Site:http://www.bittersweetmusic.com/[CH]http://www.myspace.com/thematinggame
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