Why? plays in Paris

March 27th, 2010 • Concert Review

Listening to Why? sometimes feels like the audio equivalent of voyeurism. Lyrics to songs like “Good Friday” are raw and gritty, evoking images that are twisted and grotesque. Between the dirt, however, the Independent/New Wave group somehow manages to weave in extremely heartfelt and wholly relatable matters of the heart. Considering the band’s body of work, it is unsurprising that lead singer Yoni Wolf lists MF Doom and Lil’ Wayne next to Joanna Newsome and Bob Dylan as sources of inspiration.

The contrast between the clashing sentiments in Why?’s music makes the group entirely intriguing, if not irresistible, and the large crowd at their show at La Maroquinerie in Paris last Thursday March 25 is evidence of their universal, however bizarre, appeal.

The night began with a set by Josiah Wolf, Yoni Wolf’s older brother and an up-and-coming solo act in his own right. British band Popular Damage followed, and the headliners took the stage after making the Parisian crowd wait what seemed like an inappropriate length of time. But Why? didn’t loose any lovers for the delay. On the contrary, Yoni Wolf knew all his lines, lamenting between songs on the set list, “Paris, man… everyone here looks so good it makes me self-conscious.” The Cincinnati-based band put on a great show, and despite having caught a cold, Yoni’s distinct voice was both controlled and vivacious. The often-brutal honesty evident in Why?’s lyrics is intoxicating, and makes the group a live act not to be missed.

Doug Mcdiarmid, Andrew Broder and Mark Erickson join the Wolf brothers, and the group at large is signed onto Anticon. Why? released their first full-length LP, Elephant Eyelash in 2005, followed by Alopecia in 2008. Their latest, Eskimo Snow, was out in September of last year.

The group will continue on their worldwide tour, set to bring them back stateside by the end of May.

-Liz Rowley

Liz Rowley is currently studying abroad in Paris, France.

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