Perfume Genius
Monday 6th November 2017
Julianna Barwick
At The Old Market
Doors 7:00 pm
Price £16 + booking fee / £20
Perfume Genius is the project of US singer/songwriter Mike Hadreas, whose music spans fragile piano ballads and swaggering glam-rock as he explores subjects such as sexuality, homophobia, and domestic abuse with brutal and often poetic honesty. His latest album No Shape is a mighty record of 13 ferocious and sophisticated tracks, spanning church music, makeout music, and an array of gothier pop formats; from krautrock, queer soul to art pop. There’s no stopping his musical dynamism, we welcome him to The Old Market after a previous sold out Komedia show!
Growing up in Everett, Washington, Hadreas was bullied for being gay and coped by painting, writing, and listening to artists including PJ Harvey and Liz Phair.
During this time, he began making music, pairing unflinching lyrics with simple piano melodies. Hadreas released music on Turnstile, home to Gruff Rhys etc.. but also signed to Matador Records, which released Perfume Genius’ full-length debut, Learning, in mid-2010.
It was 2014’s snarling Too Bright (inspired by glam-rock, PJ Harvey and Hadreas’ growing frustration with casual homophobia) which propelled Perfume Genius into indie limelight. It featured Portishead’s Adrian Utley, PJ Harvey-collaborator John Parish. Hadreas’ latest effort No Shape, builds on his enthralling musical and lyrical ability to shine light on the struggles of the “other” and the songs off the album are a firm favourite with 6 music.
Having worked with Sharon Van Etten and produced music for Prada there is no end to his ability to transcend different worlds with his music. There is no artist who bites into the big expressions of rage, irony and love as the way Perfume Genius does.
“his most realized album yet, a tender and transcendental protest record of love and devotion “. Pitchfork 8.8 best new album
“No Shape sounds like a unique talent coming into full bloom “. The Guardian
Support comes from:
Julianna Barwick
Louisiana-bred, Brooklyn-based recording artist Julianna Barwick crafts ethereal, largely wordless soundscapes, all of which are built around multiple loops and layers of her angelic voice. Her third full-length, Will has an electric current which runs throughout the record, sharp and soft textures colliding to cathartic results. It is a late afternoon thunderstorm – looming and restorative all at once.