The night of Tuesday Feb. 17 was one of off-the-beaten-path indie rock, bluesy foot-stomping bursts of sound and amazing vocal talent all around. The Gossip took the Black Cat stage by storm, igniting the eager crowd with its unique brand of raw, dirty rock 'n' roll.
Opening for the Gossip was Brooklyn-based band Young People. Its 2003 release "War Prayers" was met with substantial critical acclaim. Singer Katie Eastburn sings her songs ever so slightly off-key, so that it's more endearing than not. The innocence of her voice in the sweet beginnings soon morphs into a throaty Cat Power tribute on songs like "El Paso." Young People is often touted as "experimental" or "avant-garde," mostly because it was released on Kill Rock Stars' "weird" label, 5RC, last year. Nonetheless, Young People rounded off its set with a Fleetwood Mac cover. In the spirit of the Gossip's bare sound, Young People played a well-timed, stripped-down set.
The Gossip's Beth Ditto is on a mission to make us all converts in the Church of Hollering Soul. It's no secret what the Gossip has up its sleeve that distinguishes it from all the other garage rock bands in the world: It's Ditto, whose vocal chords and emotional prowess invoke Janis Joplin and Etta James while maintaining a sense of freshness seldom found in the modern indie realm, or any realm for that matter. The Gossip plays songs about love, heartache, sex and all the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to, much like every other band under the sun.
Yet the difference is in its approach. The live show plays like some kind of treasure walked in on by accident, hinted at only by the incredible voice pouring out into the street. The Gossip had the power to move the otherwise stationary hipster crowd into a dancing frenzy. Ditto has a reality to her voice that carries over the entire audience, leaving a sense of wonder. Its recent album "Movement" is a combination of tear-stained pillowcases and defiant declarations against affection, two such themes that rang true on Tuesday night.
On songs like "Hott Date" and "Swing Low," Ditto soars over the basic beat kept by drummer Kathi Mendonca and guitarist Nathan Howdeshell. The small ensemble is made up of a guitar with four strings, a simple drum kit and Ditto's pipes. By breaking it down into these basic elements, the Gossip is able to turn its live show into a riotous dance party, as each song eggs the crowd into a further state of excitement. Yet the Gossip know just when to stop. After an hour and a half, it said goodnight. But in a rare act, the band returned to the stage to play one last, albeit short, song for the vying crowd. Encore or no encore, the Gossip captivated everyone at The Black Cat.
