Kishi Bashi, Indulgently Infectious
By Lizz Kannenberg in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 15, 2012 4:00PM
Chicagoans may be familiar with the whole violin + vocals + looping station schtick thanks to this one local guy, but that doesn't mean last night's sold out crowd at Schubas wasn't enamored with of Montreal's string virtuoso K Ishisbashi and his acclaimed solo project, Kishi Bashi.
The 37-year-old celebrated his return to Chicago by treating the packed room predominantly to cuts from his recent full length, 151a. Championed by media outlets from NPR to Bust to SPIN for his ability to create lush, epic jams seemingly out of thin air and to reproduce them live with little to no backing tracks, Ishibashi was on point, playing the roles of both performer and conductor as he led backing band (and show openers) The Last Bison through 75 minutes of delicately explosive, expansive pop. While Ishibashi's vocals sometimes leave something to be desired, his talent with both violin and electronics is both undeniable and indulgently infectious.