Bringing It Home Music by Emily Drabanski
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Bringing It Home Music BY EMILY DRABANSKI INDIE ROCK Under Condon’s direction, Beirut’s no-holds- THE RIP TIDE barred, brassy Eastern European gypsy sound BEIRUT vaulted it into the indie-rock world sans www.beirutband.com guitars. Beirut followed up with The Flying H When Zach Condon was a Santa Fe teen, he Club Cup CD in 2007, featuring songs with it was playing jazz trumpet and writing songs. a decidedly French influence. Beirut released The high school dropout got a GED and five EPs, and the band rapidly began headlin- SM ANNA risti studied on his own terms, taking classes at area ing major shows. K colleges and the University of New Mexico Now 25, Condon is leading Beirut on a with a break couch-surfing through Europe. more inward musical journey with The Rip and wistful reflection that lies at the heart The multi-instrumentalist and singer Tide on his own label, Pompeii Records. The of Condon’s lyrics. recorded most of his debut (2006) album, melodies, while still peppered with the exotic With revelry and a mix of electronica, Gulag Orkestar, in his bedroom. To form a sounds of accordions, brass, and Zach’s signa- drums and brass, “Santa Fe” reflects the push/ proper band, he recruited College of Santa Fe ture trumpet riffs and ukulele strums, have a pull Condon feels about his hometown. He (now Santa Fe University of Art and Design) leaner pop feel. sings, “Whatever comes through your door, students Paul Collins (bass) and Taoseño Nick Condon’s romantic purity of voice (akin you see her face to face/ Sign me up Santa Fe Petree (drums), as well as an Albuquerque to Rufus Wainwright’s) and musicality and call your son. … On the cross Santa Fe, friend Perrin Cloutier (accordian). have grown through the years, as evi- and no I won’t/ Sign me up Santa Fe.” ✜ Beirut moved to New York City in 2006, denced in Beirut’s most mainstream CD to added musicians, and quickly created a buzz date. The upbeat melodies are intertwined For info: www.beirutband.com. To hear, with its exuberant, high-energy performances. with the poetic thread of aching loneliness “Santa Fe,” visit www.nmmagazine.com. 64 NEW MEXICO | OCTOBER 2011.