ARTICLES
IN THE BLACK & WHITE: 012 - Akron/Family
Posted by: pjsykes – Aug 13, 2009
Akron/Family
08.11.09 Rock & Roll Hotel - Washington, D.C.
Akron/Family "Everyone Is Guilty"
Akron/Family "Raising The Sparks"
Akron/Family have an eclectic sound of folk, psych, jazz and gospel. Live they are loose and chaotic till you least expect it, then suddenly they spring back into form. Though there are only three members, the songs are full sounding without an unnecessary wall of distortion. Not to mention most of the audience claps and sings along with the gospel sections.
My introduction to the music of Akron/Family was on the first mix CD my fiancée gave me when we started dating. I asked her not to label the band names or song titles so I wouldn't be influenced by anything other than the tunes. I can remember playing "Raising The Sparks" over and over on my way to work each day for about two weeks...
Most of the band's catalog has been released on Michael Gira's (Swans) Young God Records including a split release with Angel's of Light, Gira's solo project. For their new record they made the jump over to the very capable Dead Oceans (Dirty Projectors, John Vanderslice, Bishop Allen). "Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free" has a slightly bigger sound than previous recordings, but stays true to the overall feel of the band.
Akron/Family
akronfamily.tumblr.com
Dead Oceans
Young God Records
words & photos: PJ Sykes
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