A lot of people come to the music of Volcano Choir - and see concerts like this one - because of the band's lead singer, Justin Vernon, an artist better-known for his work as Bon Iver. But Volcano Choir isn't a Bon Iver side project. It's a completely separate creative force, and the group's songs sound like no one else's. On the night of this show, recorded live at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., the members of Volcano Choir made magic, sometimes with layered effects in real time on both vocals and electronics, and sometimes with something as simple and beautiful as an acoustic guitar. And just when you think a song has found a groove or a peak, it would build a little more and morph into something new. Volcano Choir has released two very different records. The first, Unmap, came out in 2009 and was an ethereal, mysterious collection of songs. The group's latest, Repave, is more song-based and sonically adventurous. Together, they made for a rich, transporting live experience. --BOB BOILEN SET LIST Tiderays - 1:30 Island, IS - 5:20 Comrade - 10:10 The Valleyinaire - 14:10 Keel - 19:55 Dancepack - 26:05 Blue Ni Ni (The Volcano Schores) - 30:30 Alaskans - 36:05 Acetate - 41:50 Byegone - 46:50 CREDITS Producers: Bob Boilen and Mito Habe-Evans, Robin Hilton; Editor: Becky Harlan; Audio Engineering: Brian Joseph, Kevin Wait; Videographers: Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Becky Harlan, Christopher Parks; Special Thanks: The 9:30 Club; Executive Producer: Anya Grundmann

• published: 11 Oct 2013
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