The New Deal | Terminal 5 | 5.11.2011
End Galleria
photos by : Nick Irving
NEW YORK, NY - Playing one last show to a raucous New York City crowd as they wind down their final year as a band, The New Deal left a stain on the walls of Terminal 5. Closing out the night after bouncy, psychedelic, dub-tastic sets by both Sub Swara and Ott, the electrifying trio from Canada cleaned up with a solid two hour dance party.
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I have seen The New Deal about five or six times now, and this was one of the better shows I have seen them play, if not the best. The whole show from start to finish was both consistent and on point. The band was locked in with each other and the crowd the entire show and produced creative jams and intense improvisations.
The New Deal - NYC 2011
I am not familiar with a large part of the band’s repertoire, besides “Gone Gone Gone” which is currently one of my favorite albums to listen to with its diversity of electronic music and variety of jazz and jungle elements, with a certain ambiance that follows the recurring theme of the song throughout the album, which is what got me into this band in the first place.
I am, however, aware of the fact that the majority of their live sets are at least 50-70% improv, using their songs as jam vehicles for thumping floor-on-the-floor and hip-hop influenced break-beat throw downs.
The show kicked right into gear warming up the crowd with a nice little jam that quickly broke into the famous New Deal build up and thundering drop into heated dance party. Within minutes the place was rocking. Songs included “Octaboong”, “Glide”, and a HUGE “Technobeam” that almost made the balconies come down.
This show I really got to pay attention to how the band communicates on stage and initiates drops or a change within the jam. I have really come to appreciate drummer Darren Shearer’s style of drumming which relies heavily on the your standard 4/4, dance beat, but what’s interesting is that he blends other elements of percussion into those beats so that they do not get boring or un-interesting.
Some examples being electronic drums with Latin percussion and timbale-esque effects, a set of bongos, and a shaker as an alternative to using the high- hat. No ride cymbal which I found interesting though.
The New Deal - NYC 2011
I noticed a slightly more “dubby” feel to a few of their jams which I never noticed in other sets I have seen them play. Maybe they were just following the theme of the night or are exploring new territories in their last months together, but regardless I thoroughly enjoyed them.
Other songs included “VL Tone” which came as a pleasant surprise to me because it is off of the “Gone Gone Gone” CD, a quirky, happy, electronic song that can’t help but make someone smile and feel like your dancing around in an 80′s workout video. This song too, had an explorational jam that slammed back into the composed part after a long trip to outer space.
I left tonight extremely content with what I had just seen and well worth the money for the ticket. I would give tonight a solid 8/8.5 out of 10. Their set was just a ton of fun and great time, I was impressed. Catch The New Deal this summer on their ‘Until the End’ Tour, don’t miss out!
For full setlist & lossless download head over to The Archive
