Live Review: Brittany Bindrim - Velella Velella Album Release Show with Panic Priest and DJ Jeff Moyer

4/11/2024

Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

Sleeping Village Chicago - Sunday, April 7, 2024

A stunning showcase was presented this past Sunday at Chicago's Sleeping Village with Brittany Bindrim, celebrating "Velella Velella", an album release showcase, one of two, at Chicago's Sleeping Village.
The first showcase was held a couple nights before, up in Madison Wisconsin at the Crucible.

From all intent and purposes, a jumping off point of sorts, to celebrate this amazing new album by Brittany, with a sort of local homecoming, more intimate, more celebratory and most of all supportive.

Even for a Sunday night, a great turnout, and very enthusiastic, and like me, want to see Brittany succeed, and to see her perform live.
She has a solid history, with I:Scintilla- a post- industrial workhorse of a band dating back to 2003.

And as the band evolved and incorporated other musical styles, backed with solid touring throughout- all of this just established feet planted firmly on the ground, solid performing and commitment, and most of all confidence.

Refreshing to see Brittany stretch out on her own, and making headway into by the looks of things from Sunday night, a promising and solid solo career.

I'm sure there's plenty of challenges, not just in recording and actual songwriting, but also in artistic expression, and how to convey the new songs in such a way that what you see in your head, what you hear in your head, can be expressed in a way that captivates and holds an audience, let alone reaching out a bit and adding to the overall sound and aesthetic with some amazing musician friends.

Trust me- there's most likely more questions and answer than that.
But still- love that she made the push, love that she's making the attempt.

Certainly the first volley of singles and videos, prior to Velella Velella being released- starting with "Obelisk" back in early December of last year, followed by "Fever Dreams" mid January, and then "One Fixed Point" back in February- the lead up to the album release on March 8th was so worth it, each song uniquely different and captivating, showcasing Brittany's breadth of musical tastes and talents, let alone vocal range.

This encapsulates a wide and splendid musical path, one with many doors to open, and most of all succeeds, not making you feel impatient, and hear partial- just the opposite- take your time and truly listen, these songs are that strong- at least for me and my take on things.
And now for the hard part.

Since they're so intricate, these songs- the entire album- how to make this work performing live, and not make them feel somewhat dead in the water surrounded by backing tracks this, backing tracks that.
"Go live", they say.

Go live with a couple musician pals who certainly know how to back you up.
None other than Jim Cookas on guitar, and occasional programming.
And also Alex Klausner- a beast of a drummer, with impeccable timing.
These two guys- they certainly provided the "Oomph", to get these majestic songs over the top.

The setlist- some eleven songs in total, opening with "Obelisk" (which certainly set the mood), followed by "Cast", and then into "Fever Dream"- and by this time the cast has been set, the band full on, and the striking visuals in the background are on full display.
And before you know it, it was over in a flash.
Around an hour total, ending with "Volcano".

The beauty of it all (amongst many things)- there was no time to waste, nothing meandering, or going sideways.
A showcase of Brittany's many talents performing live, letting us into her personal world, filled with honest intent.

And Jack Armondo, and his project Panic Priest- have known Jack for years, and just love how passionate he is, even when performing solo, no band, just equipped with a mighty electric twelve string guitar, and programmed backing tracks, followed by a heavy ba boom baritone voice that makes you stand up and pay attention.
He's fearless in his approach, been this way for years.

Certainly Jack has command of a stage, large or small, has fun chatting with his audience, and asking kindly from the crowd for the occasional shot of tequila- which of course, a couple people comply.

Always interacting, Jack Armondo, and with showmanship that transcends, with songs that have punch, followed by some serious swagger.

And of course to have DJ Jeff Moyer open the festivities, with a solid playlist that fit the mood of the entire proceedings, making you say "Let's make this a party!"
Yeah- It was that kind of night- even on a Sunday night- a night you wished would never end.

Bobby Talamine- JBTV Music Television Chicago

Brittany Bindrim, Velella Velella, Jack Armondo, Panic Priest, Jeff Moyer, JBTV Music Television Chicago, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine

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Live Review: Brittany Bindrim - Velella Velella Album Release Show with Panic Priest and DJ Jeff Moyer

Brittany Bindrim, Velella Velella, Jack Armondo, Panic Priest, Jeff Moyer, JBTV Music Television Chicago, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine

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