Matthew Dear @ Rhythm Room
Part of the reason you see musicians live is to experience their craft firsthand. Like a zoo or the ocean, secondhand exposure just doesn't cut it -- you need to see it for yourself. I went into Matthew Dear's show not knowing what to expect: he adopts assorted personas and explores many genres.
Because I'm susceptible to my own history, I most closely related Matthew Dear to Interpol. There are plenty of comparisons, starting with once touring together, the baritone vocals, similar guitar layering, the slick GQ look, the ambiguous lyrics. Interpol has been a band I've adored since age 15 and their obscure lyrics lent heavily to my own personal interpretations. The songs never changed, but the meanings did often as I grew up.
See also: Matthew Dear Discusses Liberation
