How does one even put words to the haunting and angelic styling’s that is Cocorosie? These two sisters command the attention from everything in earshot, and rightfully so, as there music resonates in such a way that’s often inexplicably innate. Their use and array of instruments that bridge generations and genres are but a fraction of their splendor, playing to a raw and honest state that few artists can regularly achieve. Bianca and Sierra Casady create an unusual atmosphere, something out of a dysfunctional lullaby, their doll-like appearance adding to the lost child metaphor. Hearing the strength and emotion behind Bianca’s spoken word during Werewolf then hearing the operatic bellows of Sierra come in, is enough to knock the wind out of your sails any day of the week. The 6 hours it took to get to the show were more than worth it.
This year had already been chalked full of artists that I’ve desperately tried to see but never could make it work, and Cocorosie was at the top of that list. Arriving at the Bellyup in Solana Beach CA, the arrangement of the venue, felt a little awkward. Seats were scattered throughout, with a main dance floor closer to the stage, the architecturally appealing wooden beams were distracting and scattered around undoubtedly making it hard for more than a few to see. I can imagine smaller shows being a blast here, but a sold out show was a little cramped.
As the two sisters made their way through their set it never felt like they were singing to one album or another, but cherry picking their favorites, (or possibly my bias has made the majority of their music “favorites,”) starting off with God Has a Voice, She Speaks Through Me, there was an immediate spark of energy to surge through the air. As they moved from one song to the next there was an eloquent balance of emotional peaks and valleys, with a little beat boxing thrown in for good measure. Watching the Cassady sisters make their way from harps, and xylophones, to the mic and back was definitely a sight, there has definitely been a constant inner discussion that my mind has tried to resolve in understanding how one can possess the ability to come up with these arrangements, especially in a live setting—albums and recorded material can be composed in an infinite number of ways, but the ability for multiple artist to simultaneously play multiple instruments, create multiple loops, and arrange it all on the fly is always impressive.
No matter what the song they were singing there was always a sense of enjoyment that they would portray. This feeling was infectious, and helped to create a unique experience of community, or maybe I was just still in the mindset that Symbiosis had instilled only two weeks prior. Whatever the case may be, the night was one for record books, as fun was had by all, not just the crowd, but by the artists themselves.
- God Has a Voice, She Speaks Through Me
- Tearz for Animals
- Animals
- Haylofts
- R.I.P. Burn Face
- Black Poppies
- K-Hole
- We Are On Fire
- Fairy Paradise
- Faded Like a Rose
- By Your Side
- Black Rainbow
- Daisy Chain
- Teen Angel
- Promise
- Grey Oceans
- Turn Me On
(Kevin Lyttle cover)
Encore: