Now Hear This!: St. Lucia at The Firebird

| Senior Cadenza Editor
who St. Lucia
where The Firebird
when Tuesday, Oct. 7, Doors open at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m.

price $18

If you missed St. Lucia playing in the Gargoyle last semester—maybe you were abroad or your evening power-nap turned into a four-hour marathon—or you enjoyed his last show so much that you can’t miss the opportunity to see him again, now’s your chance. The synth-pop maestro will be playing the intimate and charmingly grimy Firebird downtown this Tuesday.

St. Lucia is the invention/stage name of South Africa-born and Brooklyn-based artist Jean-Philip Grobler (though St. Lucia also comprises the live band which accompanies Grobler on tour). His musical upbringing began in a boy’s choir in South Africa. After finding that his inspiration and ambition stretched beyond his home country, he spent three years in the U.K. studying music before being called to Brooklyn by the thriving independent music scene and the opportunity to work as a commercial musician there.

Grobler then signed to Neon Gold Records in 2012, and St. Lucia released a self-titled EP to much critical acclaim in the same year. That EP’s catchy take on polished pop that never become too overwrought sent the band on the festival circuit before it released its debut album last year. The band’s idiosyncratic style came about partly due to Grobler’s work in the commercial music industry, which forced him to explore other genres and founded Grobler’s love of the humble synth. Now it’s hard to talk about St. Lucia without mentioning synths—they’re essential to the refined density that characterizes the band’s work. Grobler often cites strong ’80s influences in his interviews, and songs like the popular “Elevate” would not be out of place in a “Breakfast Club”-style dance break—or a tiki bar for that matter. St. Lucia’s style encompasses an irresistible mix of euphoria and musical complexity, layering brisk drumbeats with tropically inclined piano and synth riffs. Occasional blasts of horns add to the appealingly retro ’80s elements of St. Lucia’s tracks. Grobler’s rich vocals, which can vary from Patrick Wolf-like depths to falsetto, complement the band’s instrumentals perfectly. St. Lucia’s most popular songs, “All Eyes On You” and “Elevate,” demonstrate exactly why the band is on the rise; catchy indie-pop that audiences don’t have to be ashamed about listening to. Just wait until it breaks into the top 40.

If you don’t know St. Lucia yet, but you’re a fan of RAC, Robert DeLong or Wild Belle, Tuesday’s concert should be worth checking out. Even if you just like the idea of a Tuesday night dance party (which this show will inevitably be), you should go. You might end up with a new favorite band at the end of the night.

St. Lucia will be supported by St. Louis-grown band The Sun and The Sea. Doors will open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $18 and the show is for all ages.

StLucia

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