The small gathering of only 23 people made Goldroom and Autograf’s concert at HiFi Music Hall very intimate and lighthearted on the day after the 2016 election. While protests have been occurring around town and certainly across the nation last night, the mood inside of HiFi was carefree and friendly as beautiful rhythms bounced off the walls of the small venue.
Goldroom performed first as Autograf’s opener. Both Goldroom’s and Autograf’s genres are electronic, however, it’s important to make the distinction between what they make and EDM (electronic dance music). Goldroom’s music was definitely more beats per minute, more instruments overall and a faster pace of rhythm and vocals. On the other hand, Autograf played beautiful soundscapes, music that could be compared to a mellower Flume.
Goldroom just came out with his first studio album this year, West of the West. At HiFi, he played new tracks from the album, as well as old EPs and remixes. Only two girls danced during Goldroom’s entire set — but to be fair, only 15 people were in the room at the time. Most of Goldroom’s audience sat in seats and tables lining the outside of the dance floor, watching the two girls and their light-up hula hoop while nursing their beers. But no one was complaining about the lack of a crowd.
Autograf, a trio of DJs from Chicago, appeared around 9:45 p.m. after a fifteen-minute intermission. It became immediately clear why such a small crowd is so important for this kind of music. Since it’s not quite EDM but still a form of electronica, Autograf’s music is bound to draw the perfect audience. They draw an audience that appreciates the digital creation of music but aren’t extreme ravers donning fur and neon and tripping on various drugs. Peaceful but energizing, Autograf’s sound could be described as possibly future house, maybe synthwave or perhaps ambient techno. Each song provided a new wave of peace, with smooth beats and relaxing vibes from the trio.
Like the audience was pleased with the lack of mosh pits, the guys of Autograf also were happy to be performing for a smaller group. “Our favorite shows are the ones with like 25 to 30 people!” Autograf member Mikul Wang told the audience.
Another interesting aspect of Autograf’s performance was their incorporation of live music. Many DJs and electronic music artists are unable to incorporate music for instruments live into their pre-recorded tracks. But Autograf member Jake Carpenter was especially skilled in playing the xylophone with a quickness to match the rhythm exceptionally.
Overall, this was the perfect, intimate show for this type of music and artists. Check out Goldroom’s West of the West on iTunes or Spotify and catch Autograf’s Future Soup EP on iTunes or Spotify.
Goldroom and Autograf Perform for a Small Audience in an Intimate Venue
Casey Miller
November 9, 2016
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