Transplanted Montrealer Eric Woodhead, better known under The Phantom Tollbooth-inspired performance alias Doldrums, is coming to Casa del Popolo this Thursday. Prepare for an evening of dancing beneath “a sea of chopped up samples, disembodied vocals and tribal percussion” (No Pain in Pop).
Internet-born in early 2010 Doldrums was the manifestation of a mournful breakup of Woodhead’s former project Spiral Beach (2003-2009). By March 2011 he launched into a month of touring with Grimes centered around the weeklong South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. In mid-November Doldrums released a 12″ split with Portishead of “Chase The Tear” on XL Recordings and embarked on another month touring the East Coast/Midwest. The tour featured notable supporting acts including Crystal Stilts, High Places, and Purity Ring and culminated with the release of their debut EP, Empire Sound, on No Pain in Pop in early December.
Thursday’s show is not one to be missed. Supporting Doldrums are projects Technical Kidman, an upbeat three-piece band who has shared the stage in the past with Coltrane Motion, P. S. I Love You, Man Machine, Braids, and Suuns; and Paula, a solo project of David Carriere (TOPS and the former Silly Kissers), signed to Arbitus. My advice? Get there early and wear shoes you can dance in.
