A LA MUSIC, MUSIC INTERVIEWS

Young Prisms @ The Biltmore Cabaret – Live Review

Warming up the stage for the very talented Dum Dum Girls and the musically savvy Kurt Vile, Young Prisms quickly wooed loyal followers at the Biltmore Cabaret with their dream-pop/shoegazing sound. Before releasing their debut album called Friends For Now, Young Prisms caught the attention of local music enthusiasts and made their mark in San Francisco’s psychedelic rock scene with two previously released EPs. Yet, the band didn’t stop there. The Prisms released the follow up to their debut album In Between last spring, which delighted Prism fans and earned them much respect in the process. The album’s first single “Floating in Blue” has a dream-like quality to it with its perfect blend of muffled vocals and lo-fi guitars. “Four Hours (Away)”, a very Mazzy Star sounding track with its sweet, lingering melancholic melody, is no doubt one of the brilliant pieces from In Between while “Dead Flowers” shows the wondrous harmonies of the pairing. “Runner” and “Better Days” are another two prominent songs on the album that will definitely reel you in. In Between’s 11 tracks proved that Young Prisms’ music is graciously evolving and creating the band’s more confident sound. The changes in the band’s the lineup also contributed in the development of their music. The Prisms welcomed a second new female vocalist/guitarist Ashley Thomas who provided a unique style to the band’s existing sound and also contributed various different effects during their live shows. On stage, The Young Prisms lived up to their shoegazing genre with the significant use of guitar effects and pedals. Their music sounded worked well live and their detached, contemplative image and stage presence just added to the band’s charm. Playing songs from both their albums, the band satisfied an audience on the prowl and even if the band is just an opener to the bigger acts that night, they somehow made their presence memorable. The Young Prisms definitely introduced me to a distinct genre and with the band’s skills and haunting melodies; they will most likely go far. Photo by. Hayden Shiebler