Last summer I got hired to work as “security” for the Stern Grove Concert series. I’m not complaining since it was a pretty dope gig. Basically, I had to wander around this gorgeous and wooded venue in San Francisco’s Sunset district and yell at patrons, help set up everything each show, and, of course, listen to the free music. When I received the schedule upon my hiring, I was excited hoping to see some names on there that I had been following for years. Much to my surprise, or due to my closed-mindedness, I knew NONE of the bands (except for They Might Be Giants). Most of the shows were the SF Opera, or Symphony, or the Symphony conducting an opera, but all summer my boss kept insisting one show was going to blow our minds, and get the crowd into a ridiculous dancing frenzy. That band was Caravan Palace.
Formed from both being chosen for soundtracks and prowling MySpace, Caravan Palace’s genre is dubbed “electro-swing”, which is clearly a non-existent, yet very precise genre title. While their songs have that sort of electronic drive within the rhythm, the melody is played on various strings, woodwinds and horns, and NOT synthesizers. This makes shows quite exciting as it’s not just a dude/girl pushing keys; it’s a classical instrument being used in a whole new way. Not to mention the band doesn’t have to stand still, so they usually run around on stage and rock out. Honestly, no band at Stern Grove got the place hopping like Caravan Palace did this summer, and if you have yet to hear them…well, this should encourage you to buy their fantastic debut (which is over two years old).
This first clip is from Caravan Palace’s concert on March 21, 2007 (thanks to the title card at the start). Live from the Café de la Danse, they play their track “La Caravane Qui T’emmène” which translates to “The Caravan which Takes You”. On this song, the constant camera movement compliments the intensity of the song. It’s fast paced, got a truly upbeat tempo and melody and makes people want to eat MDMA and swing dance like those kids in the 1940s. Note how vocalist Sonia Fernandez Velasco holds her nose and sings into that sort of small cone to convey the sound of an old record. Not to mention how she backs away from the microphone enough to make the singing more in the background at times. Also, the clarinet playing is superb, cranking out a quality riff that makes even the laziest people want to tap their feet a bit. As Chuck Klosterman says, “If I’m sober enough to drive, I’m WAY too sober to dance,” but it’s songs like this that can get the worst dancers to bust some moves.
The next tune is entitled, “We Can Dance”, which is not necessarily the most extravagant title in the entire world. At the start, they introduce some sort of famous French singer, whose name is almost indecipherable. Afterward, a classical guitar riff is played, soothing any listener, but afterward, the mayhem begins. Keyboards, clarinets, and extravagant looking violins begin to play and suddenly the song takes a new leaf. Singer Sonia belts out some fine vocal work, and even makes it dramatic. The crowd is clearly pleased while the violinist almost boasts his ability to the crowd. And within the last few moments, the song gets truly electronic…in the sense that would make the dub-step crowd GET LOW. To finish things off, the band starts conjuring blips and bleeps and sweeps that would make both deadmau5 and Dark Helmet blush….these peeps are truly ahead of the game.
The final track is entitled “Brother Swing”, which clearly indicates the vibe of the track. It starts out pretty standard, with some easy drums, a clarinet, a bit of strings and some standard vocals. Once things kick in though, the song gets truly “electro-swing,” as the fans say. Note the intensity of the strobe lights once the song picks up. Once everything gets going, the track encourages people to truly make their brothers swing. Once again, the clarinet playing is unparalleled in the sense that I have never seen a woodwind instrument rocked that hard since the days of Jethro Tull. The crowd waving their hands frantically in the air is an indication that they are eating it up like taffy. Overall, the song is relatively minimalistic (for this group), until about halfway through. Suddenly, the actual synth that they have within the band starts kicking things up a notch, and the band busts out into an electro-swing frenzy. It’s no wonder people like this band; they’re like an old school/formally educated version of LCD Soundsystem.
Caravan Palace has the potential to break through to the American scene. They have the grooves, the musical knowledge, and exciting stage presence that any band could ever ask for. Their bizarre form of electronic swing music could easily win over audiences across the globe if they are given the chance….but they have already been offered such an opportunity. Already, the band is rumored to be roaming the festival circuit this year, and if they do so, they will score major points across the globe. This is one act to hop on board with now. Follow the caravan, it will NOT let you down.
