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Dirty Projectors' David Longstreth and Amber Coffman perform at the Birch North Park Theatre on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. (Photo by Chris Nixon)
Heading into the Dirty Projectors show at the Birth North Park Theatre Friday night, I had two questions on my mind: How would the theater hold up as a rock venue and how would the Brooklyn-based band pull off the intricate vocal harmonies displayed on the group’s seven studio albums.
With its 750-seat capacity, the Birch North Park felt a bit roomy for the Dirty Projectors with about 400 people in attendance. But the sound was excellent and the staff friendly.
Casbah owner Tim Mays, who put on the show, mentioned the last time he produced a concert at the North Park Theatre was in 1986 for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Dickies. The theater was trashed during that show, but the current set-up showed no signs of punk shows gone by.
As for the Dirty Projectors, vocalists Angel Deradoorian, Haley Dekle and Amber Coffman (formerly of San Diego band Sleeping People) along with leader David Longstreth pulled off the vocal high-wire act. Coffman absolutely ripped through the single “Stillness is the Move” from 2009’s “Bitte Orca,” while Deradoorian nailed the quiet acoustic duet “Two Doves” with Longstreth accompanying on acoustic guitar.
The crowd was small, but into the music and the moment. I talked with bassist Nat Baldwin (sporting a Boston Celtics t-shirt) after the show, and liked the venue and was impressed “that everyone stood through the entire show.” Agreed.
Chris Nixon is SDNN’s music editor. He can be reached via e-mail at chris.nixon(at)sdnn.com.
Tags: Amber Coffman, Angel Deradoorian, Birth North Park Theatre, Bitte Orca, Brooklyn-based band, Chris Nixon, David Longstreth, Dirty Projectors, Haley Dekle, Little Wings, Nat Baldwin, North Park, SDNN, Tim Mays
Comment by: John Middleton Posted: November 1, 2009, 9:40 am
It’s about time the NPT began putting on shows other than classical and white-guy blues. It should be used as the Rialto Theatre in Tucson is used. Great work, Tim.