wednesday night i saw bardo pond at the ica in philadelphia. they played at the request of the san francisco born artist tricia donnelly. in the cavernous gallery a discreet retrospective of her work is lined up against a back wall. bardo pond set up under an over hanging ceiling opposite the work and inbetween we sat on the floor like psychedelic beachgoers. in fact when tricia introduced the band she remarked about growing up by the ocean and how listening to bardo pond is a close match to the sound and expanse the ocean gives her.
i first saw bardo pond when i think i was 19 and i am now 32. i think i can honestly say i have seen them more than any other band. wednesday at the ica was in my opinion the best i have ever seen them. so very loud so very discreet so very gentle so very visceral. they were the ocean. the band was the water and lead singer isabelle the wind. howling, whispering, pleading, panting and pushing sound through a floating flute line. i went back later and reexamined tricia donnelly's work. the video of her in white jumping in the air like frothing water. the photograph of two twisting embracing black leather clad gloved hands the ink night sky. a wonderful wonderful night.
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