Review: Richard In Your Mind, Fishing @ Alhambra
There has been some serious buzz around Sydney outfit Richard In Your Mind. Having never had the pleasure, I popped along to see them at Alhambra a week ago.
Rocking up a little late, I was smitten with touring support Fishing, who have been scooting around the country with RIYM and co throughout the last month or so. With just two members on decks/keys/percussion and other random instruments, these guys produced a hypnotic, atmospheric pulsing sound that had the crowd gently swaying to and fro. The two gents, Doug and Russell are almost an extension of one another in a live sense – the two of them interact constantly to create a perfectly synthesized sound.
Up next were the infamous RIYM. Having the privilege of watching the band on Richard’s birthday on this fateful eve, the band are touring to promote their most recent album release, Sun. From what I’ve heard, this is one of the best albums of 2011 to date, and that’s a mighty big call.
Kicking off with a new track straight from Sun, Vision, the band jump straight into their set, commanding the attention of the crowd. Something that I’m loving about tonight is the feeling of an underground club; the venue is small, dark and dank, and the crowd is comfortably loose and malleable.
Having not seen RIYM before, this group has something very natural and relaxed going on. The vibe from the band is almost like they’re playing a house party; momentary costumes, party lights and plastic drinking cups are flowing about the room in a blur of drunken ecstasy.
There is no easy way to describe the sounds coming from RIYM, other than crazed acid-induced psychedelic experimental music. The sounds like none you would have heard before, mixing synth pop with garage lo-fi rock and indie licks. In reality, the best way to describe their music is for you to head here and press play.
Tonight, amidst monster headpieces and giant lights behind the drums, RIYM blew the crowd away. In a complete state of bliss, the band enthralled the eager (in some cases too eager!) audience. Great night, great set.
RIYM’s new album Sun is out now via Rice Is Nice.