Red Mosquito

E.H. Ruddock wrote:I've steered clear of this thread way too long

durdencommatyler wrote:

malice wrote:pls post more st vincent gifs! i fuckin love those things. she's just so hot and cool and badass and not at all derivative or retreading the same ground as bowie did much better 40 years ago give or take.


(in all honesty, i don't know much of her music, only what i've seen noted on here i think, but in general i tend to have issues with musicians that employ hardcore facade as a selling device. sry dct. i'm sure she's just awesome an all, but she's about of the same caliber of musician to me as taylor swift when it comes to the level of adoration she's whipped up in her identity gaming stuff. it's always rather suspect to me when the artifice out does the art...)

She wears her influences on her sleeve, that's for sure. She'll go on and on and on about Bowie and Byrne like she's the only person that's ever discovered them. But the St. Vincent act is constantly evolving. So far, at least. I'm excited to see if she changes direction on the next effort. So far she's evolved with each new project. But it's not pretentious. To me it's just honest exploration. And if there's a strong theatrical element to that, so be it. I have no issue with that, but I understand it can be off-putting.

Also, there are a shit ton of people who are saying similar things as you're saying, including long term, devoted fans. So I'm reluctant to call what she's doing a "selling device." I think what's gaining her a larger audience these days is: a great live show, an album with catchier songs that novices and laymen can consume along with musical theory types, and run of the mill industry exposure.

I would have to argue though about her level of talent. Perhaps it's buried in a forced artifice, but she's an outstanding musician. Her ability at least matches, if not exceeds, the best rock guitar players out there. What she can do with a guitar is nothing short of astounding. She's innovative (literally, I mean as far building shit) and passionate and open as an artist. It's hard for me not to be attracted to that.

Her live show is one of the very best I've ever seen. And, yes she's beautiful, but it's not a typical beauty and anyway that's way farther down on the list of reasons I'm so obsessed right now. That doesn't really factor for me. Other than I'm really fascinated with the way her face moves. The way her cheeks and eyebrows arch and pull. The way her mouth stretches. She sneaks smiles. She communicates so many things with the tiniest flinches. Far beyond beauty, it's her expression that I find so gracious and inviting.

Anyway.

I've gone on and on far too long. But I don't want to hamper anyone else's boarding experience. So I'll lay off.

cutuphalfdead wrote:Man, reading this thread is like you're crawling through landmines.

ABNorman wrote:Strat and DcT are my favourite RMers. Big love.

ABNorman wrote:Strat and DcT are my favourite RMers. Big love.

stip wrote:Joey, I just made a st. vincent mix for a friend. I described her as a female cross between tom waits and prince. Are you comfortable with that?

durdencommatyler wrote:“I am curious to unpack this idea of authenticity. Where did it become more authentic to just stand up on stage with no lights, or costume, or theatricality and just stand up there with a beard and your feelings?”
— Annie Clark

Alex wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:“I am curious to unpack this idea of authenticity. Where did it become more authentic to just stand up on stage with no lights, or costume, or theatricality and just stand up there with a beard and your feelings?”
— Annie Clark

well, grunge certainly didn't help