Since 2010, Star Slinger has been widely blogged about, which is how I discovered his chilling Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins) rework.
When I noticed the striking flier arrangement on U Street Music Hall’s wall advertising that Star Slinger was coming to DC and playing this past Tuesday, I hightailed my ass straight for a ticket. Joining him for the evening was a long list of acts, including Shlohmo, upon whom I was lucky enough to stumble.
Shlohmo seriously primed the crowd for Star Slinger, utilizing Uhall’s brilliant sound system. The crowd chanted excitedly for Star Slinger to take the stage. and as Darren Williams appeared in ’90s red checkered flannel, his hair remained in his face for the duration of the night. I found it particularly funny when I noticed a table next to him with a bottle of wine and two bottles of water. The lighting shone a pink haze over the stage, illuminating it with a rosé hue. This christened the thug beats of his set with ironic feminine overtones, immediately erased by the genre-defying mix of beats and samples rising from his mixer.
Star Slinger | Longtime
Quite frankly, this is a show to get high for. Star Slinger’s Volume 1 is a transcendental voyage of feel-good soul, hip-hop, reggae, and indie jams, and a hit of the green launches the already head-bobbing “Longtime” into orbit. Star Slinger for me has a chill, almost trip-hop vibe during private stereo play, but live, Williams lets loose with a bass-thumping, booty-shaking, hands in the ayer ayer ayer dance frenzy. I was overjoyed to see the entire crowd of 20-something hipsters grinding, banging, and roof raising, and I, for sure, was one of them.
Star Slinger | Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins Rework)
No Cocteau Twins rework was played at this show, which I actually agree with; Darren’s well chosen-set included “Gimme,” “Dutchie Courage” and the s/t “Star Slinger.” This kept the crowd moving and begging for more when he finished his set. Saving the best of for last, he emerged with two more songs for an encore, ending on the best note possible, “Mourning.”
Shlohmo really kicked off our night with an unexpected set of deep beats and grimey crunk nuggets. His sound had us guessing he was from Brooklyn, along with his babyface beneath a baseball hat and hoodie combo, but his polished mixing skills come straight from LA. I wonder if his alias Shlohmo is nod to a Jewish heritage, as Shlohmo is a common male name meaning “God’s Peace,” but more appropriately, it fits because his undulous set of throbbing beats are slowed down, like they themselves been syzzurped.
My jaw dropped when he mixed a go-go beat over a soul song; everything about his set was sensual and pulsating, like the God of Viagra sipping on some purp(le) (in space). He continued to amaze the crowd, and sensing the mounting energy Shlohmo goes “damn, y’all it’s alright, calm down, just a Waka Flocka song, jeez.” He kept making shout outs over the set (which made me feel like I was at a skating rink), but his set was strong, so strong in fact, I’ve been scouring the internet since I heard it, looking for a mix or something. His live set is pretty darn hype-worthy, and if you find his facebook page, it’s full of compliments from many head-bobbers lucky enough to catch his set.
What a good show, all in all—like the Aaliyah sample in Shlohmo’s set (that I was SO stoked for), Star Slinger and Shlohmo give you “a really good feeling, it goes on and on and on,” and you won’t stop dancing till that pink Rosé bottle is smashed.
