Kishi Bashi + Tall Tall Trees @ Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa 3/3/13

March 06. 2013 | By Samantha Saturday

Rounding out their West Coast tour dates at the tiny Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, Kishi Bashi and tourmate Tall Tall Trees brought their looper pedal skills and they brought them hard.

Tall Tall Trees @ Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa 3/3/13
Tall Tall Trees

From New York City, Tall Tall Trees officially exists as a foursome. However, for this tour, frontman Mike Savino (who also does double duty as a touring member of Kishi Bashi) took up his banjo and reimagined the band’s work as a solo act. The charming Savino tousled at times with his own looping instrument, stating “I’m usually not this chatty at shows, but I need to buy myself some time to figure this shit out.” Even with a few minor hiccups, Savino was a pleasure to watch as he tapped out rhythms on the frame of his banjo and jammed out in a manner that gives Mumford & Sons a run for their money.

Tall Tall Trees @ Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa 3/3/13
Tall Tall Trees

Tall Tall Trees @ Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa 3/3/13
Tall Tall Trees

Without much of a wait, Kishi Bashi took to the stage, greeted by warm, welcoming cheers. Simply-named frontman, K, immediately tucked into building the intricate rhythms and textures of each song. With a joyful stage presence, K commented that this was the band’s first time playing in Costa Mesa – and also the band’s “best Costa Mesa show ever.” The biggest hit of the night came in “Philosophize in it! Chemicalise with it!” which according to K was spawned from a tidbit he composed for a Japanese commercial. Throughout the night it was impossible to escape the lighthearted presence of the trio as each member beamed out gleefully into the audience amid layered tunes and tweaked vocals.

Kishi Bashi @ Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa 3/3/13
Kishi Bashi

Kishi Bashi @ Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa 3/3/13
Kishi Bashi

Kishi Bashi @ Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa 3/3/13
Kishi Bashi

Kishi Bashi @ Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa 3/3/13
Kishi Bashi

Kishi Bashi @ Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa 3/3/13
Kishi Bashi

For more badass photos of the show, go HERE.

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