The Philadelphia-based rock band Free Energy makes 1970s-influenced classic rock in the vein of ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, T-Rex or Thin Lizzy, but does so without a touch of irony. They don’t so much as borrow liberally from that era as try to put them in a time when people drank cheap beer because it was both cheap and beer.

The five-piece band is nearing the release of their much anticipated debut album Stuck on Nothin’ early next month (March 9 on digital and vinyl, May 4 on CD), which was produced by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy (and released via his DFA Records label). That has bigger implications than mere name-dropping, though. What Murphy’s seal of approval and endorsement means is that this is unpretentious music that was made to collectively shake asses. The spiritual ancestor of “Bang Pop” (one of Free Energy’s catchiest songs) is The Troggs’ “Wild Thing” and Pitchfork approved of their single “Dream City”, saying it is “totally rad”.

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DFA's The Juan MacLean and Kompakt's new star The Field will blow through Nectar tonight, revving up my Monday and setting the pace for the week.

The last time The Juan MacLean played Seattle, another imaginary, the illustrious ChrisB, was fortunate enough to see The Juan MacLean and thought pretty highly of their performance.

Electro-minimalists The Field's barebones steady build-ups sweeping into sweet climax are the perfect antidote to herky jerky electro. His technique is sly and comfortable and never surprising. The bumping bass pushes it to the dancefloor, though the encompassing feel of his music is more IDM, amazing headphone fodder.

The Juan MacLean, stage name of John MacLean and accompanied by Nancy Whang, by contrast is rolling pop, steely and aloof. Their drum-driven style, laced with acid-house and subtly tweaked, is a smooth partner to The Field. Post-disco elements and an overt dance-pop vibe are prevalent, as with most DFA artist albums.

 

June 08 / 9:00PM @ Nectar Lounge

21+ / $15 adv

Nectar, Decibel, KEXP & The Stranger Presents:

DFA + Kompakt Tour

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DFA Records artist and electronic dance guru The Juan MacLean will be bringing a full band to Nectar next Wednesday night and we have a pair of tickets to give away.

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Judge for yourself - the video is cool, albeit a little creepy.

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We're by no means out to change the way people listen to music, I think people should be able to use our records the way they use other bands' stuff: y'know getting ready for work, getting hyped up for going out, settling in to chill at home, whatever.

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