Planning the new trip to Barcelona we had no intention to visit any particular shows cos in November'2016 nothing was announced for March'2017. It was only the question of chance - would our visit coincide with any event or not. This time we were happy enough, and the mere first day of our stay coincided with the new edition of Emergencia Festival. The announced lineup included the bands such diverse as Guiro Meets Russia, Grande Days and Bala along with the new residents of Foehn Records - Maresme. Apparently it should be a 'must see' show.
When we arrived at the venue (MACBA/ CCCB group of buildings) the audience was quite limited (literally it counted in 15-20 persons) but the new spectators continued to arrive all through the shows climbing to the climax at the headliners' act.
First we met Marc Campillo (the head of Foehn) and his beautiful partner Susana. We talked a bit before Space Surimi started playing, and then the conversation became quite complicated due to the high levels of noise generated by the band.
Space Surimi appeared to be an abstract hip-hop duo. They looked cheerful and funny but for us it was almost impossible to understand a mere word.
What's truly great about Foehn Records - this label has its own face you're not gonna mix up with someone else's. There are some bands, when you listen to them you are like: "Wow, apparently this band should be signed by Foehn!" Maresme definitely is one of these bands, and Maresme in fact is signed by Foehn. Their slowly evolving and dreamy music may call to mind the works of I Am Dive, Combray, Oso Leone and other Foehn-nested peers. The four-piece looked and sounded absolutely well-coordinated and consonant, so I was pretty shocked in a good way when Marc told me it was the first time they performed together on public.
Then the Valencian duo Guiro Meets Russia were set to perform in the hall of the CCCB building. When I listened to their debut album "Dystopia" ((p)2016 Verlag System) it didn't impress me much (maybe it's because I quit lisening on the 3rd track). Seems like I was in the wrong mood. But seeing them alive I fell in love with their music, and listening to "Dystopia" now I like it alot.
Meanwhile, the things got much more complicated. The matter was one more event should take place that night in Barcelona - the unexpected performance of Marcos Cao (formerly of La Sonrisa de Julia) in the Bar Mediterraneo. The plan was as follows: 1) in the middle of Guiro Meets Russia's act I accompany Tatiana (who was afraid of walking alone) to Bar Mediterraneo, leave her there and then 2) run back to CCCB to see Grande Days, and after that 3) return to the bar to take Tatiana back to Emergencia fest. Honestly, in a more appropriate situation I would like to see Marcos Cao performing, but this time we should divide ourselves onto two locations, and I should provide Tanya with her happy hour with Marcos.
First I learned about Grande Days when Pedro Gracia Perez de Vinaspre, the frontman of other Donostarrian band Havoc, recommended them via his Facebook post. I've downloaded their recent EP "Spark" and found it quite interesting - but without any ohhhs and wows. Just liked it and that's all. But how amazing they were live! Absorbing the 90s American post-hardcore and math influences (Jawbox, Polvo, etc) they constructed the compositions that were gliding from tiny trembling harmonies to the walls of harsh noise with all pieces glued together by overcompetent rhythm section. This was the seating party (as the audience was seated in the cinema hall), and I was pretty sure I'd break my neck headbanging if it was an usual rock event.
The Galician band Bala consists of two chicks: Violeta (drums, vocals) y Anxela (guitar, vocals). What kind of music would you expect from two girls? Barely it's the groundbreaking sludge metal, but that's what they really do. They smash, they crash, and they burn. They roar. It's absolutely mindblowing - and simultaneously refreshing. From my point of view they deserve the international recognition not less [read: even more] than Hinds and Mourn.
First I learned about Grande Days when Pedro Gracia Perez de Vinaspre, the frontman of other Donostarrian band Havoc, recommended them via his Facebook post. I've downloaded their recent EP "Spark" and found it quite interesting - but without any ohhhs and wows. Just liked it and that's all. But how amazing they were live! Absorbing the 90s American post-hardcore and math influences (Jawbox, Polvo, etc) they constructed the compositions that were gliding from tiny trembling harmonies to the walls of harsh noise with all pieces glued together by overcompetent rhythm section. This was the seating party (as the audience was seated in the cinema hall), and I was pretty sure I'd break my neck headbanging if it was an usual rock event.
The Galician band Bala consists of two chicks: Violeta (drums, vocals) y Anxela (guitar, vocals). What kind of music would you expect from two girls? Barely it's the groundbreaking sludge metal, but that's what they really do. They smash, they crash, and they burn. They roar. It's absolutely mindblowing - and simultaneously refreshing. From my point of view they deserve the international recognition not less [read: even more] than Hinds and Mourn.
