Los Angeles’ Bootleg Bar could not have chosen a better time to host a Monday night residency with Hunter Hunted. The Los Angeles-based duo of Dan Chang and Michael Garner made their television debut on Conan last week, and by Monday night the buzz had spread like wildfire across the city, alluring a large crowd to the intimate venue.

Though recorded Chang and Garner are a two-men show, they expand Hunter Hunted into a six-piece during live performances. The addition of a drummer, keyboardist, guitarists and female vocalists changes the energy of each song and allows the project’s founders to focus on singing and playing one instrument while still maintaining a lush, full sound. As a sextet, the electro-indie-folk outfit buoyantly floated through its self-titled debut EP and treated the audience to a whimsical rendition of The Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?”

The crowd danced and sang along to most of the songs, having already been energized by the night’s openers. Fellow Angelinos Body Parts kicked off the night with their sensual brand of ‘80s-inspired pop. Singer and band founder Ryder Bach’s vocals ranged from a lulled Zach Condon-inspired drawl to a frenetic, David Byrne-esque screech and at one point a primal, diva wail that the late Whitney Houston would be proud of, as his bandmates proficiently backed him up with catchy guitar riffs and funky bass hooks.

Portland’s Aan, the only out-of-towners of the night, kept the momentum going with their intricate experimental pop. Starting their set with a long, atmospheric track, the quartet eased the audience into their sound before exploding into schizophrenic, frenzied songs including their latest single, “Mystery Life.” Standing away from the rest of the band, vocalist/guitarist Bud Wilson was in the zone as he scratched at his guitar and swayed to the music. He voluntarily broke his isolation a few times to jam with guitarist/keyboardist Jeff Bond, before sidling back to his post at the microphone.

It’s rare to go to a show (especially a free residency) where every band is equally as talented and energetic, and each of Monday night’s acts could have easily headlined. If this lineup was any indication, Bootleg Bar will be the place to be on Monday nights in the month of March.

 

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Photos By Katrina Nattress