{"id":738,"date":"2010-05-29T21:48:37","date_gmt":"2010-05-29T21:48:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelefortreport.com\/blog\/?p=738"},"modified":"2010-05-29T22:01:59","modified_gmt":"2010-05-29T22:01:59","slug":"huzzahs-hail-marys-and-hosannas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelefortreport.com\/blog\/2010-05\/huzzahs-hail-marys-and-hosannas\/","title":{"rendered":"Huzzahs, Hail Marys and Hosannas"},"content":{"rendered":"

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After hearing huzzahs straight from the horse’s mouth (multitalented former Santa Barbaran and musician\/producer, John Askew), and after major Hail Mary tosses, we ventured down to Muddy Waters in Santa Barbara to catch Portland’s harmonizing Hosannas last night.<\/p>\n

The Hail Marys entailed last minute pitches to Mrs. Lefort for an impromptu drop-in to the Muddy to catch the Hosannas apres-dinner .\u00a0 An early set-time and a hallowed day led to our harmonic convergence at the venue, and off we went to hear the Hosannas.<\/p>\n

It was miraculous that the band had even made it to Santa Barbara at all after being assaulted in the afternoon in Oakland earlier this week, resulting in a broken nose for Brandon Laws and a visit to the emergency room.\u00a0 In the tradition of the age-old mantra, “the show must go on,” the band played that night in the Bay Area and hasn’t missed a show since.\u00a0\u00a0 Sporting a black eye to go with his broken nose, Brandon nonetheless played with energy and aplomb in Santa Barbara despite telling Lefort he was scheduled for a “re-set” of his nose today.\u00a0 Admirable.<\/p>\n

The Hosannas employ an eclectic blend of passionate, harmonized vocals, cleaving and clever keyboards and effects, multi-participant percussion (anchored by Lane Harrington’s complex rhythms), and Brandon’s stellar Gang of Four-meets-Pinback guitar playing.\u00a0 The net effect is avant-melodic, and a welcome change from more standard fare, recalling Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective at times, but with its own identity.\u00a0 The songs vary from borderline-precious (in a good way) to epic, and often all on the same song (give a listen to the prodigious Hidden Tone<\/em> below).<\/p>\n

After a great set by raucous openers Boomsnake, Hosannas took the stage.\u00a0 With great appreciation for dynamics, the band followed the good-loud Boomsnake with a stunning acapella read of Golden Girls<\/em>.\u00a0 The crowd stepped in closer to catch the talent-show and as a result, the band played to an enraptured audience for its entire set.<\/p>\n

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Photo:\u00a0 Tad Wagner<\/p>\n

We encourage you to pick up their “Song Force Crystal” recording from last year or their new, anthology-esque record, “Then and Now and Then.”\u00a0 And then get ready for their John Askew-produced third record expected out in September.\u00a0 Judging by the songs and talent in this band, and the Askew-add, it’s going to be epic.<\/p>\n

Check out their song Hidden Tone<\/em> below and the videos of the band performing live.<\/p>\n

If you like what you hear and see, Hosannas will return from LA to play “Billy O’s” in Ventura Monday night (5\/31).\u00a0 Be there.<\/p>\n

Hosannas–Hidden Tone<\/em><\/p>\n

[audio:https:\/\/www.thelefortreport.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/03-Hidden-Tone.mp3|titles=03 Hidden Tone]
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http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yPrsKfFgpQA&feature=related<\/p>\n