Red Bull Sound Select came through Chicago’s Lincoln Hall last week, bringing new music from Torres, Boom Forest, and Sioux Falls.
Sioux Falls hailing from Portland, Oregon, started off the night with a perfect garage band feel, but with a special dose of heart. Lead singer, Isaac Eiger played each song to the tips of his toes, occasionally losing balance as the song took him away. They closed their set with the charming “If You Let It” which begins with “dookie’s puking everywhere,” but the surprising turn at the end, ‘’I need to get my eyes checked so I can see your sleepy smile… from far away.”
But of course, “from far away” is given proper emphasis with the whole band projecting it from the top of their lungs to the crowd. Sioux Fall’s latest release, Rot Forever is available on vinyl as a double LP.
Nashville’s Boom Forest opened their set by paying tribute to Prince with a verse plucked from “When Doves Cry” before wowing the audience with their own work. Beginning with a few slower songs, frontman John Paul Roney put the crowd’s mind at ease when he said they would be picking things up a bit later in the set.
It was the band’s first time playing together, but no one would’ve noticed. Their songs spanned genres and songs like “Baby Teeth” and “Analog Cowboy” provided great diversity. Boom Forest is a band you don’t put in a corner. Their latest album Post Knight Errant is currently available.
Torres took the stage wearing a uniform of white denim and work boots like they were there to get a job done. Front woman, Mackenzie Scott entered the stage and dramatically lit incense as though she were the priestess about to give a sermon. She later commented, “It smells good in here,” proud of her contribution to the ambience of the night. Powerful drums filled the venue playing beat after beat until Scott’s voice broke through.
Her body rocked back and forth as though in pain, as if the music had to be released because it’s burning a hole in her. Scott’s voice is rich and vibrant, creating a beautiful contrast over the haunting tones. After playing many songs from their latest album Sprinter, Scott told the audience that this was a special night, because it may be the last show she plays to promote this release. Sprinter is available on standard black vinyl LP.
