deerhoof + harry smith
Harry Smith, described by Kenneth Anger as the, "greatest living magician," was most critically well known as a filmmaker. I have to confess that I didn't know his work at all before Thursday night, when Deerhoof played live to a few of his films at the Castro Theater.
I had my press badge (thanks New Music Box!), it didn't really seem to help us get in quickly though, the line wrapped around the corner of Castro street and out on to Market. For a screening of an obscure experimental filmmaker with music provided by an obscure experimental band, this crowd was totally unexpected. The theater was completely packed, I wasn't even sure we could get in. It's moments like that which make me happy to live in this city. As I keep telling my friends, there is a big audience in this city! We just have to figure out how to present work. This city does circus-like events well, hastily thrown together weirdness with no clarity. But people are sick of it, I know I am. If somebody could pull together polished shows/events with quality and style... Build it and they will come.
Deerhoof was so restrained, their music never intruded on the film, letting it speak for itself. And their timing was impeccable, I actually think they spent a lot of time working that out, it was so refreshing to see a group play and get their entrances and exits right, the timing sycned with the film to a T.