WEEK OF 2/21 /20

Girl K / all 📷 : Kyle Land

Girl K had a fantastic 2019, releasing one of the year’s best local records in For Now, opening for countless major acts including a sold out two night run with Charly Bliss and Cherry Glazerr to close out the year, and steadily growing a rabid fan base. All before their magnetic leader and songwriter Kathy Patino even reached twenty one. A milestone the infectiously positive scenester celebrated with a stacked lineup at Sleeping Village last week. 

Friends and fans alike turned out on a chilly Sunday night to help her celebrate in a memorable evening opened by the swirling guitars of Floatie. Twirled layers of precise notes and chords flow over each other in a magnetic flood of precision. Repetition garnered from math rock mix with a pop sensibility that makes their sound accessible, a trick not often attained by many who try. Began as a trio led by Karla Bernasconi (Date Stuff, Lala Lala), Floatie has now expanded into a three guitar (no bass) quartet that glide through and around each other with practiced ease. So far there isn’t much recorded material, but there are a few videos on youtube that display the skillful songwriting in its purest form. There were a few mentions of a record coming soon, so be on the lookout for a debut from Floatie this year.       

Earnestness is a quality some often claim or attempt, only to fall short of the mark. Eileen Peltier, the enigmatic leader of Sports Boyfriend, is the real deal. Sincerity holds itself over her brand of mellow indie rock like a badge of honor, and it works perfectly. Playing a set filled with new material from her brand new EP Seek No Answer, Peltier immediately grabbed hold of the crowds attention and didn’t let it slip once as she held us all in her soft but serious grip. Often performing solo, Peliter has recently taken up a backing band (made up of scene all-stars) that adds another layer to her compelling compositions. 

A sign of a real artist is the unwillingness to stay in one place. Growth is part of art, and only through pursuing new avenues can one truly become unforgettable. So as Girl K set up not just one but three keyboards lining the front of the stage, it was clear there was something special in store. After taking in many sets from the quartet of Patino, Alex Pieczynski (bass), Kevin Sheppard (guitar) and Tony Mest (drums) over two years and never seeing one of them touch a synth onstage it was exciting to see them stretching their musical legs, with a set chock full of new material. While still clearly guitar driven, the fresh tunes had some stark moments of separation, with eighties influenced synth lines and more pop oriented hooks that bent the sound Girl K has built into a catchy amalgamation that is sure to be featured on the next record. Not to disappoint fans, they still played plenty of older tunes (a few with new arrangements) and capped the night with an energetic encore version of hit “Speed Racer” that saw a mosh pit develop as they rocked to the end.             

-Kyle Land

Check out Sports Boyfriend opening for Kevin Krauter at Schubas on April 10th. Tix are $12. 
Girl K plays next as direct support for ROOKIE’s record release at The Empty Bottle on March 13th. Tix are $10.