Menomena: Live from Juan's Basement

I’ve been on a serious Menomena kick lately. Their latest album, Friend or Foe, has been helping me through a couple busy days at work, even if a bunch of my coworkers “don’t get” Menomena just yet. I’m putting money on the fact that they’ll come around soon. Maybe this post will help.

I didn’t really start enjoying their music until I got the album. I saw them live down in Austin as part of the SXSW Music Festival and I wasn’t fully taken aback by their performance. It wasn’t until I got home and fully digested the whole trip and musical experiences I had to understand that these guys had a lot of potential and I probably just needed to dive a little deeper. I gave them a second chance and I’m grateful I did; I’ve been thoroughly enjoying their sound and style. It’s pretty expansive for a (power) trio.

Menomena recently did a set in Juan’s Basement in Brooklyn. This was my first experience hearing about Juan’s Basement, and the video intro on the embeds below really explain it all. It’s some dude that hosts bands in his basement, “where it all began,” films the resulting performance, and edits and shares for the rest of the underground to enjoy.

Here’s a link to the video of the band performing, “The Pelican,” definitely one of my favorites. Check that one out first, then read on to watch the rest…

Menomena – Weird [YouTube]

Menomena – Muscle’n Flo [YouTube]

I think these guys rule; hope to see a lot more from them in the near future. The band is currently gearing up for a tour to begin 6/1 in Seattle, and they’re playing in Chicago as part of the Pitchfork Music Festival on July 15. Catch them in the small clubs while you can.