By: Jon Behm
Sika released their second EP, How To Dream With Your Eyes Open, last Thursday night at the Varsity Theater, a respectable feat considering the band is still unsigned. Though the house was less than packed, a group of their local fans was on hand to witness the show, which despite a few early mic problems, was very good.
For those of you not familiar, Sika has been on the local scene for a couple years, though they have largely stayed under the radar. The band wears its influences on its sleeve – namely Radiohead, Muse, Sigur Ros, but manage to create something new as well by combining the musical styles and adding a dose of their own creativity to the mix.
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| Sika - Photo by Jon Behm |
Nate Mclain, John Torgerson and Dave Crevier make up the rest of the outfit, on guitar, keyboard, and drums respectively. Crevier brings some really interesting rhythmic patterns to the songs, which can take you by surprise in their shifts and time signature changes. Overall the band has some really good production value – which is a surprise considering they don’t have a label. The studio tracks are recorded really well though, and sound equally good live.
Throughout the set, a video played on a large screen behind the band, which was sort of a far out mishmash of trippy visual art. It reminded me a great deal of Ben Stokes’ work, which is currently featured in a similar way on the DJ Shadow/Cut Chemist Hard Sell tour. I am not sure who created Sika’s video, but it suits the music well.
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| Sika - Photo by Jon Behm |
The band’s set mostly featured songs off of their new EP, which I have not yet heard. “Stranger” and “How to Dream with your Eyes Open,” were a couple of
my favorites from the night. “Phenomenon” was well received as well, and was probably Zharinov’s best vocal work of the evening.
Towards the end of the show the band slapped on some oversized sunglasses and promised the audience to “get a little crazy.” What followed was “Sleep Again,” which sounded a bit like a Rush/Korn mash-up. Though it most definitely wasn’t up my alley, it was good to see the band let loose a little bit.
I have to say that overall Sika impressed me a great deal. Though they are a young band they have completely mastered their sound, something that can take artists years to do. They should have a bright future ahead of them once they become a little bit better known. Though there weren’t many in the audience on Thursday, don’t be surprised if they start to pack in crowds in the near future.
Location Info:
The Varsity Theater
Artist Info: Sika
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