With Expanded Lineup, Small Black Makes Big Debut

By Kim Bellware in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 18, 2010 5:20PM

(from l-r) Small Black's Ryan Hener and Josh Kolenik (Chicagoist/Kim Bellware)

To date, Brooklyn-based Small Black has yet to make a move that didn't impress us. The chillwave-y duo rocked pretty, lo-fi grooves for a spell before sprouting a bassist and a drummer to achieve a fuller sound and added versatility. Once bassist Juan Pieczanski and drummer Jeff Curtin came on board, Small Black's self-described "Casio noise-pop" morphed into music that, while still pretty, is woozy, exciting and full of silky rhythms.

In town supporting their debut LP, New Chain, the foursome rocked the Empty Bottle Monday night with a power-packed set that covered most of their new record as well as tracks from their previous EP. Small Black's heavily electronic music is well-produced and clean, vaguely reminiscent of French electro-poppers Phoenix, but with a little more distortion. Live, lead singer Josh Kolenik's vocals are bolder than on the record, trading the dreamy, breathy layers with more robust but equally fluid force.

The evening's highlights, which included new tracks "Search Party" and "Photojournalist" were all built on the same framework as older cuts like "Despicable Dogs": all Casio keyboard, synthesizers and faded vocals backed by a rat-a-tat drum beat. The low, shaking bass woven through the music created a sturdy rhythm offset by the pattered synth effects that shape-shifted on each track. Though much of chillwave is contained in laid-back dreamy or nostalgic lo-fi effects, Small Black stretches their version in several directions--toward dance jam territory on "New Chain" or heady trance with "Goons."

On stage, the foursome's strong sense of rhythm was notable in their playing and their personal gestures; more than just a cursory head bob to go along with the beat, each band mate was able to translate the motion in their music in a way that galvanized the approving audience. Overt emotion isn't usually a bedfellow of chillwave or synth pop, so we were further impressed that Small Black delivered a set that went a couple of steps further than just sound washing over and reached some crests of joy, excitement and maybe bitter-sweetness. Even if Small Black hadn't landed those particular marks, they tremendously good live and fun in a way we never expected.