Fleet Foxes Gets it Started
Fleet Foxes was one of the first bands to play at this year's All Points West, beginning their set at 3:35 Friday afternoon. Setting up their own instruments without much ceremony, it took me a few minutes to realize that these men were not roadies but in fact were the band that I was there to see. This was a relief because boy did I already have a growing crush on the lead singer Robin Pecknold, which was only enhanced as soon as he began singing.
Opening with the line "What a life I lead in the summer," this self proclaimed 'baroque harmonic pop jam' band kicked the weekend off in a lulling and peaceful tone. It was sunny and hot outside until the very second they began singing; the wind picked up and blew around all these little pieces of paper creating an accidentally awesome effect. The drummer Josh Tillman pointed out the increasingly stormy looking skies behind us and commented that the audience looked like "ominous wizards ushering in a storm." And storm it would, but not quite yet.
With matching beards (all except one member, Skyler Skjelset, who reminded me of Michael Cera) and long hair, Fleet Foxes look like mountain men and sing like saints. Their harmonies are incredible and need little to no musical accompaniment. A lot of the songs begin acapella and then bring in the instruments half way through, giving it this great effect that makes the piece turn all the more powerful. Mixing indie styles with heavy folk overtones, these guys really have incredible vocal skill and the ability to create a unique sound.
There was something about the band that attracted me (and it wasn't just that I found them attractive). It was some level of intelligence and effortless coolness that made me want to sit down and have a beer with them at a dive bar somewhere in middle America. I wanted to talk with them and find out why they chose to sing in such a tranquil and harmonious style, and also if they wouldn't mind doing a solo show just for me?
The perfect setting for listening to Fleet Foxes is definitely outside, but on a beautiful day where you can lay on your back and watch the clouds float by. Their songs conjure up images of running through fields or driving on a long country road in the sun. Although the rain detracted from the peacefulness of the set, the general air of calm was like a great wave that had the ability to quell our anxiety over the mud and sudden chill of the looming storm.
It was the perfect start to All Points West 2009.
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