Golden Dawn Arkestra Credit: photo by Shelley Hiam

Golden Dawn Arkestra, Digital Wild, Feral Future

Red 7, Jan. 3

Red 7 split between two worlds Saturday night, with the inside firmly grounded in the doom growl of the Well and the outside’s wildly cosmic lift-off helmed by the Golden Dawn Arkestra. Outdoors, the indie pop of Citadel recalled Brazos’ melodic dreaminess as it fought a barrage behind the doors from Grail and Red Ox. Feral Future ultimately ruled inside, the quartet slashing cuts off last year’s debut LP Haematic with a full assault from vocalist Arielle Sonnenschein flanked by the rabid guitar and bass of Kate Moyer and Steph Mueller. Outside, the trio of blond vocalists for Keeper should have taken note, as their DJ-backed set trilled through drab electro-R&B. Digital Wild fared better, setting up the Arkestra with trip-hop energy that melded Massive Attack with the indie touch of Stars and Alt-J behind the interplay of Chantell Moody and Chelsea Seth Woodward, and the power of dual drums. Nothing compared to the Sun Ra-inspired Golden Dawn Arkestra, which crowded 12-strong onstage including dancers and cosmic hula twirlers. The robed and masked outfit, led by Austin native and Sahara lounge co-owner Topaz McGarrigle, wound through a spectacle of jazz-funk tinged with Eastern and Afro-pop grooves, proving one of the most unorthodox and compelling bands in town.

This article appears in January 9 • 2015.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.