Nashville – Washed Out’s set at Exit/In began with “Entrance,” the first track off the new album, Paracosm. Ernest Greene walked on to the stage about a minute into the song, just as it sounds like the gates of heaven are opening with harps and cooing angels to greet those who enter. Half a goofy smile played on his lips. The set immediately launched into “It All Feels Right,” the sunny, psychedelic first single from Paracosm.
In typical Washed Out fashion, the audience could only sorta understand the lyrics. We couldn’t hear the acoustic guitar Greene furiously strummed through several songs. But did it matter? No, because Greene is such an engrossing performer. He’s constantly in motion, whether bobbing or gently swaying to the music. He smiles a lot, and he talks to the audience as if they were guests at his party. His demeanor as a whole is charming and endearing.
Many of us probably came to the show curious as to whether Greene would be traveling with the throng of vintage instruments he was so proud to use on Paracosm—the Chamberlin, Optian keyboard, etc. (You can hear all about that in his video for The Creator’s Project.) More than just a novelty, these throwbacks were used to complement his sun-drenched electronic album with the warmth of live instrumentation.
Alas, the kooky instruments didn’t make it. But four synthesizers did. Yes, four. Everyone except the drummer had a synthesizer. But they also had electric guitar, bass, and other instruments. The live drums opened up a warmer side to songs off his older albums, “Eyes Be Closed” and “Feel It All Around.” Electric guitar solos tied the music to its ‘70s psychedelic rock heritage.
The whole instrument thing is new for Greene who spent a lot of time behind a laptop up until Paracosm. There’s been no denying his abilities as an engaging performer as Alexis Petridis of The Guardian has professed. But Washed Out has caught flack for making music that is more sheen than substance, better for Urban Outfitters promo than anything. Whoever goes to a Washed Out show will witness that this is untrue. Ernest Greene proved himself a worthy, charismatic, forethinking musician for the entire hour and a half he played. Armed with guitars, glockenspiels, and obscure percussive instruments, the king of chillwave hipsterdom has come to reclaim the genre’s musical legitimacy.
Greene is playing several west coast dates with a show in Los Angeles that is already sold out. Washed Out is a product of this moment in music history. There’s no confusing him with bands from past decades. He puts on a show full of color and good energy. He’s more than a guy behind a laptop now, and his evolution as a musician is worth seeing yourself.
Photo By Tim Boddy
Caroline McDonald
After dabbling in many parts of the music industry—recording studios, PR, management, labels, publishing—I’m expanding into music journalism because I’m yet to find anything more rewarding that finding and sharing new music.
A longtime sucker for girls with guitars, my musical taste unabashedly follows the songwriting lineage of Dolly Parton and includes Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch, and Neko Case. But not to pigeonhole myself, my music love is big love that stretches from R.L. Burnside to Animal Collective to Lord Huron.
I’ve recently moved home to Nashville after living in Boston and Big Sur for several years. I’d forgotten how music pours onto the streets ten hours a day, seven days a week. I’m honored to share the creative explosion happening here. If your band is in the area or of the area, please reach out!
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