Following the release of their first LP, In the Wooded Forest (Cantora Records), Savoir Adore geared up to launch their spring pilgrimage to SXSW with Mon Khmer Wednesday night at Mercury Lounge.
The show was a slow boil with a solid ignition by openers Mon Khmer who is a self-described “Progressive Bollywood Funk band” (unfortunately, this is in no way accurate); a band of rumbling toms (so much so they require two drummers), Franz Ferdinand funk-jabs, and Air inflected (c. “Talkie Walkie”) digressions of esoterica. Their second drummer occasionally banged on the business end of a shovel. A slide guitar made small cameos. Fun and familiar, Mon Khmer is perfect if you want to like a band.
When Savoir Adore took the stage, the vibe shifted however. Savoir has a subtle warmth that invites a loyal following. Typical Indie crowds are dubious. They gather not necessarily to see a specific band, but rather they seek, simply, good music. Savoir Adore’s fans are more deliberate. Those who seek the band are fans of the band and they cheer, and sing, and are (thankfully) attentive.
This is in part due to the fact that female lead singer, Dierdre Muro and male, Paul Hammer have very real voices–and they use them. Their vocal bondage is delightfully queer: when they blend their voices exist seemingly for the sake of the other, paired in a wonderfully lopsided harmony.
To know Savoir Adore is to consort with a certain songwriting craftsmanship, a tidy pop thoughtfulness decorated by melody; a semi-sweetness that is at once brave (twice Hammer and Muro sang virtually a capella) and innocent.
Savoir rewarded their crowd with a satisfying showcase of their album, and new tracks they’re working on for the next. These tracks, which they’ll take on the road to SXSW, are songs they’ve written both spontaniously and collectively. Savoir Adore burns hot and fast when it comes to songwriting and such artistic agility plays out in their releases.
“We have to move in a quicker fashion than most bands,” said Muro when the band huddled offstage after Wednesday’s show. “We make a lot of stuff and when we get together in a room it’s like… creative diarrhea. It just happens.”
Hammer said the band wrote their first EP in a weekend, and the rest of the album when the band gathered again at his studio in the woods of Upstate New York (hence, the album title).
“After [the album was released] we got thrown into this world where it’s like, slow down,” said Hammer. “You have to start strategizing and scheming.”
Guitarist David Perlick Molinari broke in.”Honestly, that’s not the most natural thing, creatively.”
Hammer nodded in agreement. “Not for this group.”
“But we’re learning how to make that work,” said Muro. “We’re figuring it out for future releases.”
Perlick Molinari agreed. “If anyone has any ideas, we’re open to suggestions.”
Before Savoir Adore embarks for SXSW on March 3rd, you can catch them the entire month of February during their residence at Cake Shop.
Savoir Adore – MERP (Database Remix) by malcolm816
Download three free tracks from Into the Wooded Forest or purchase the entire album at savoiradore.com
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