It’s a bit hard to describe Joshua Abrams and the Natural InformationSociety, but the best word is probably “minimalist.” They play an interesting form of minimalist jazz and low rock that’s centered around Abrams’ love and mastery of a three-stringed African guimbri lute. Their stuff can be both meditative and danceable. I first caught them at Levitation Chicago a while back, and they put on a good show then. It will be interesting to catch them in an outdoor venue this year at the Pitchfork Music Festival.
The last night of Levitation Chicago was a good one. It started with local acts Natural Information Societyand Bitchin’ Bajas. They played a beautiful set of trance-inducing instrumentals combining jazz, world music, and electro.
Natural Information Society and Bitchin’ Bajas
Up next were one of my favorite bands, Night Beats. They get better with each performance and are slaying it right now. They never turn in a bad performance. I got to chat with them after their set. They were all humble and appreciative. Drummer James Traeger was surprised that I’d been promoting them since 2013.
Night Beats
Another group of humble, appreciative guys I got to talk with were Earthless. They flattened the place with an epic three-song set of their space / stoner rock. Afterwards, a young man next to me asked if all their songs were so big and long. “Yes,” I said. “All of their stuff is that epic.”
“They just don’t stop,” he said. “They just keep going.” He’s right. They lift off and like a rocket and don’t come back for a while.
Earthless
I took a break and came back for part of Faust‘s set. They had four women knitting on stage to “keep things from getting out of control.” It was weird and quirky.
The night ended with a loud, powerful dark wave set from Chelsea Wolfe. Her voice is as powerful as her heavy sound. She slithers like a snake and sings like a siren.
Chelsea Wolfe
It was a good end to the festival. I’d like to come back next year, and need to track down more new music now.
Keep your mind open.
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Natural Information Societyis a Chicago jazz collective led by Joshua Abrams. Bitchin’ Bajasare a Chicago-based kraut-rock band. They’re two great tastes that taste great together on their collaboration that blends world music funk, jazz, electro, and synth-wave.
It’s nice to see Levitation Chicagobringing in local acts, especially this team-up that should bring a meditative feel to their March 12th performance.
It’s a bit hard to describe Joshua Abrams and the Natural Information Society, but the best word is probably “minimalist.” They play an interesting form of minimalist jazz and low rock that’s centered around Abrams’ love and mastery of a three-stringed African guimbri lute. Their stuff can be both meditative and danceable. I first caught them at Levitation Chicago a while back, and they put on a good show then. It will be interesting to catch them in an outdoor venue this year at the Pitchfork Music Festival.
