Gapers Block has ceased publication.

Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
 Thank you for your readership and contributions. 

TODAY

Friday, March 29

Gapers Block
Search

Gapers Block on Facebook Gapers Block on Flickr Gapers Block on Twitter The Gapers Block Tumblr


Transmission
« Maplewood Records: A Story of Past and Present Pitchfork 2015 - Friday in Review »

Review Fri Jul 17 2015

Xylouris White Quickly Captivated Schubas

xylouriswhite2.jpgEarlier this year I had the pleasure of seeing Jim White and Giorgos Xylouris perform earlier this year at Thalia Hall. It wasn't my first introduction to the two musicians. I was familiar with White's work with The Dirty Three and Xylouris' storied career with his musical family. However, that evening at Thalia Hall they were opening for Swan which resulted in more than a few people in the crowd being unsure of the duo's reputation. It took little time to see that Xylouris White were nothing short of astounding. Seeing them live was revelation even to me, completely blowing away my expectations derived from studio recordings. Their performance was , When they announced a show at the much more intimate Schubas, I knew it would be a must see show.

circuitdesyeux2.jpgThe night started off with a wonderful performance by Circuit des Yeux. While the core of the project is Haley Fohr, she was joined by a full band that definitely did her songs justice. Fohr came to the stage with nary a word, setting her mind solely on her set. Fohr's wails and impassioned bellows demand to be heard. Her hair obscured her face throughout the night, making her voice seem all the more mysterious. Her vocal range dips towards the lower end, instantly reminding me of similarly deep sounding vocalists like Nina Simone and Nico. Fohr pushes her voice out with such tremendous force, producing long moans that come off as meditative mantras intended to bring the audience closer into her music. Her lyrics reflect that sentiment as they feel like they're directly conversing with the listener. Certainly the crowd at Schubas felt a connection as they listen on utterly entranced.

circuitdesyeux.jpgBefore Xylouris White casually set up their equipment, they walked around Schubas without an ounce of pretense or ego. As they came to the stage to set up their instruments, they held the same sincerity to their demeanor. It was interesting to see musicians with accolades as they have be so casual and personable. White sat at his drum set and kicked off his shoes while Xylouris began casually strumming his lute. It took no time for the two men to completely enthrall the venue. It felt like a completely different experience from the last time I saw them. This time everyone around me knew how great this duo can be and were met with a compelling set.

xylouriswhite1.jpgXylouris White's music infuses elements of so many genres in their music. They combine jazz, rock, post-punk, and folk styles together in peculiar and endlessly interesting ways. At times it feels like all these pieces shouldn't fit into place, but they somehow make it work beyond what the source genres are capable of alone. Part of this ability comes from the cohesiveness of White and Xylouris. They played off each other so well, occasionally staring at each other as if they were communicating telepathically. A smile here or a nod thee was ll that was needed to acknowledge or prepare for their net move. When they invited their musician friend up on stage to play bass, the communication grew tenfold. They responded to each others' change ups without missing a beat. It is truly extraordinary to see masters at their craft perform these complex songs with such finesse.

Xylouris and White looked like they were possessed during the more manic moments of the set. While most of Xylouris's mannerisms stuck to a gentle tenderness as strummed his lute, looking as if he were cradling a calm infant, there were moments were he erupt at the height of songs. His fingers moved so quickly across the lute looking like a frantic spider crawling up the neck. White, too, moved with unwavering fury as his arms fluttered around him with unstoppable momentum. Not a single movement from either man was wasted, no matter how outlandish it seemed. Every effort put forward was necessary to create their beautifully unique sounds. If anything could describe their performance its beautifully controlled chaos. They ended their set as casually as they began, returning to the middle of the venue to meet with their captivated audience. .

 
GB store
GB store

Feature Thu Dec 31 2015

Our Final Transmission Days

By The Gapers Block Transmission Staff

Transmission staffers share their most cherished memories and moments while writing for Gapers Block.

Read this feature »

Blogroll

  Chicago Music Media

Alarm Magazine
BackStage
Big Rock Candy Mountain
Boxx Magazine
Brooklyn Vegan Chicago
Can You See The Sunset From The Southside
Chicago Reader Music
Chicagoist Arts & Events
ChicagoMusic.org
Chicago Music Guide
Chicago Singles Club
CHIRP
Country Music Chicago
Cream Team
Dark Jive
Daytrotter
The Deli Chicago
Jim DeRogatis
Do312
Fake Shore Drive
Gowhere Hip Hop
Gridface
The Hood Internet
Innerview
Jaded in Chicago
Largehearted Boy
Little White Earbuds
Live Fix Blog
Live Music Blog
Loud Loop Press
Oh My Rockness
Pop 'stache
Pitchfork
Pop Matters
Resident Advisor
Songs:Illinois
Sound Opinions
Sun-Times Music Blog
Theft Liable to Prosecution
Tribune Music
UR Chicago
Victim Of Time
WFMU's Beware of the Blog
Windy City Rock

  Venues:

Abbey Pub
Andy's Jazz Club
Aragon Ballroom
Auditorium Theatre
Beat Kitchen
B.L.U.E.S
Bottom Lounge
Buddy Guy's Legends
The Burlington
California Clipper
Concord Music Hall
Congress Theater
Constellation
Cubby Bear
Double Door
Elbo Room
Empty Bottle
FitzGerald's
Green Mill
The Hideout
Honky Tonk BBQ
House of Blues
Kingston Mines
Lincoln Hall
Logan Square Auditorium
Martyrs'
Mayne Stage
Metro
The Mutiny
Old Town School of Folk Music
Park West
The Promontory
Red Line Tap
Reggie's Rock Club & Music Joint
The Riviera
Rosa's
Schubas
Thalia Hall
The Shrine
Smartbar
Subterranean
Symphony Center
Tonic Room
Township
Uncommon Ground
The Vic
The Whistler

  Labels, Promoters
  & Shops:

Alligator Records
Atavistic
Beverly Records
Bloodshot Records
Dave's Records
Delmark Records
Drag City
Dusty Groove
Flameshovel Records
Groove Distribution
He Who Corrupts
Hozac
Jam Productions
Jazz Record Mart
Kranky Records
Laurie's Planet of Sound
Minty Fresh
Numero Group
mP Shows
Permanent Records
Reckless Records
Smog Veil Records
Southport & Northport Records
Thick Records
Thrill Jockey Records Touch & Go/Quarterstick Records
Victory Records

GB store

Events

Featured Series














 

Transmission on Flickr

Join the Transmission Flickr Pool.


About Transmission

Transmission is the music section of Gapers Block. It aims to highlight Chicago music in its many varied forms, as well as cover touring acts performing in the city. More...
Please see our submission guidelines.

Editor: Sarah Brooks, sarah@gapersblock.com
Transmission staff inbox: transmission@gapersblock.com

Archives

 

Transmission Flickr Pool
 Subscribe in a reader.

GB store

GB Store

GB Buttons $1.50

GB T-Shirt $12

I ✶ Chi T-Shirts $15