Slow ... Then Fast

After indie band Forest City Lovers called it quits, singer Kat Burns (as Kashka) quickly puts out two "folkpoptronica" albums. Sunday night, I dropped by The Drake Underground for a special performance celebrating the 1 year anniversary of the sophomore album (and the release of Bones, an acoustic EP).

Kashka's songs are  fun with intelligent lyrics. But Burns' quiet demeanor makes it an awkward fit with the synth music onstage. Tonight, her two sets were much more her style. For the acoustic set, it was an all-female band. Burns had enlisted several friends to do back-up vocals, piano, and cello (Prophet, Lamplight, and new number Repeat). This made the set reminiscent of FCL. But with the more straightforward lyrics and arrangements, this felt more accessible.

For the amped set, it was a full band tonight. She has decided to dial down the synth and augment the guitar parts. Add in a propulsive drummer and bassist, and this was engaging, muscular pop. Again, the "mainstream" material made it less indie and more rock. Burns just need to include some exuberant stage dancing and we'd have a winning formula.

If finances weren't a problem for the music scene, Kashka should be a superband comprising of both parts. They'd be guaranteed of mainstream success (with some luck). Unfortunately, as FCL demonstrated, it's hard to make money as a sprawling collective.