Akudama/Charlie Hewson/Paper Doll Factory/Michelle Armstrong

Spike Hill, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
March 1, 2008

Announced only two days prior to the show, this secret Akudama gig still drew a large crowd to the performance side of Spike Hill. The night saw a wide range of genres, from country and folk to electro dance, that somehow led in appropriately to the chilled out rock-n-roll Akudama specializes in. The music started flowing at 8:30, but the excited fans hit the booze much earlier in preparation. By the end of the night, everyone was well rocked, and well intoxicated.

Charlie Hewson, a traditionally untraditional banjo player, opened the show with a combination of hoppin' originals and odd but appropriate covers. Despite the noise from the restaurant next door, Hewson kept the crowd interested with his skilled pickin' and unusual voice. His loungey version of Radiohead's "Creep" was a favorite, and his morbid sense of humor contrasted well with his adorable stage presence. However, though red streaks can enhance the appearance of a banjo, a new playing technique might be of interest. It looked as if those bloody fingertips were painful.

Next up was Michelle Armstrong, a spunky guitarist/singer with a powerful, smooth voice. The upbeat cheer that ran through her poppy yet complicated melodies got some people dancing, and her honest, funny lyrics had everyone laughing. She reminded one of an enthusiastic actress from Broadway, but with style and a knack for being cool.

The third act on the bill was Paper Doll Factory, a solo digital artist with some booty-shakin' samples and enough sass to rival The Gay Blades. Though he was entertaining, his vocals and live performance wanted more polishing and less vodka. Once his lyrics match his samples and his diva attitude, he'll get even the chillest hipsters bustin' a move.

Charlie Hewson took the stage for a short second set to get the crowd pumped up. His flawless playing sucked many toward the stage, especially during his weirdly beautiful cover of Arcade Fire's "Neighborhoods #1." Hopefully next time he'll also include the Laurie Anderson cover he played during sound check!

When the Akudama boys took the stage, the vibe instantly changed from performance space to rock show. The crowd that had already gathered for Hewson grew as more people abandoned their bar stools for a stage-side view. Blake Charleton, vocals/guitar/keys, rocked his first note through the last, letting his natural-born lead singer come out and shine. His genuine delight in performing mixed with his impressive abilities made it hard to avert one's eyes.

However, lead guitarist and back-up vocalist Calvin Pia stole the show with his solid solos and rhythmic hip sways. Pia aced the riffs in "Out Again," a song from their first album, while dancing with uncharacteristic excitement and openness. He played well off Charleton's vocals, knowing exactly when to step up and when to lay back without losing any quality. And his harmonies were spot on, curling perfectly into Charleton's lead like two lovers spooning.

Regular bassist Eli Silverman was unable to make it, so old friend Matt Webber filled in with obvious excitement. The warm comradeship between he and the others was a sweet touch to the overall mood.

Midway through their set, Akudama played "Dishes," the danciest tune from their forthcoming album. The first few measures started out with a fun guitar riff, but as soon as Cayce Pia, percussion, nailed his entrance and then busted out a catchy kick-drum rhythm, very few people could resist the urge to bop. Near the end, the "Ba, Ba, Badada" from Charleton was a nice contrast to the thoughtful lyrics while also highlighting Pia's cadence. His fills and playful rhythms kept the song bouncing, and though the rest of his set was well-executed, this tune was his best.

The boys closed their show with "Johnny Appleseed," a soulful number highlighting Charleton's delicious voice. Akudama held their crowd's attention to the very end, maintaining their strong presence and skillful musicianship. The fans cheered loudly and drunkenly, knowing they had just seen an up-and-coming rock band about to explode. With their record release and a national tour on the horizon, it's likely Akudama will never play such a small space again. Count your blessings, young padwans.