[Photo courtesy of Jonny Leather]
Montreal’s Braids do not even have a record out yet – that happens on Kanine Records on January 18 of the new year – but the buzz around them has been building steadily, such that even The New York Times took notice. They make modern, layered dreampop that focuses on heavenly vocal harmonies and slow-burning melodies, and their live show is one that rewards patience. Their carefully crafted songs often begin with a whisper, a suggestion of what’s to come several minutes later. This performance, opening for the Radio Dept. (not taped due to no word back from management), evidenced that perfectly, with the set dominated by three longish numbers: the spine-tingling “Lemonade,” “Native Speaker,” and the closer, “Glass Deers,” that each gave a sense of the band’s unique approach. “Lemonade” could well be the band’s signature number, and will be the leadoff track on the forthcoming Native Speaker. Performing these songs live is no small feat, but Braids made it effortless, keeping the crowd mostly rapt throughout. Call it sacrilege, given the heavily-buzzing headliner, but their performance was by far the most special of the night.
I recorded this set from our usual location with the four microphone rig. The crowd is generally quiet and respectful, and the sonic clarity and presence is outstanding. Enjoy!
Stream “Lemonade”:
[audio:http://www.nyctaper.com/B3011Braids0210/Braids-Lemonade2010-11-30.mp3]
Direct download of MP3 files [HERE]
Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].
Braids
2010-11-30
Knitting Factory
Brooklyn, NY USA
An acidjack master recording
Recorded and produced by acidjack for nyctaper.com
Equipment: Schoeps CMC6/mk41+DPA 4021>Edirol R-44 [Oade Concert Mod] (24/48)
Position: At soundboard, ROC, Schoeps PAS, DPAs ORTF
Mastering: 2x24bit/48kHz WAV>Audacity (light EQ, balance, mixdown, set fades, tracking, smooth peaks, amplify and balance, downsample)>FLAC ( level 8 )
Tracks [Total Time 34:42]
01 Peach Wedding>
02 Lemonade>
03 Candy Spills>
04 Native Speaker
05 banter
06 Glass Deers
If you download this recording from NYCTaper, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Braids, visit their MySpace page, and pre-order Native Speaker from Kanine Records [HERE].
Great Band, great capture. Thanks!
Thanks! Looking forward to it.
I cannot unzip the 1st 12 tracks, with either winzip or 7-zip.
Error: invalid compressed data to inflate
oops, wound up on wrong page
The issue you refer to in the Yo La Tengo recording has been fixed now.
NYTaper — you’re my hero!!