In Case You Missed Diamond Days

Diamond Days Fest 2008 started off with a mellow Thursday evening show at Mama Buzz cafe in Oakland, CA. Emily Jane White gave Cat Power and Emily Haines a run for their money with soulful vocals and power piano skills, backed by her pal Josh on stand-up bass, while Ben Becker channeled Will Oldham with a strong set of introspective folk. Mist and Mast kicked things up a notch with tight guitar arrangements and great bass lines. Later that night at Ghost Town Gallery, an old factory-turned-underground club, with a weird punk bordello downstairs and a cement cube destined for noise bands upstairs, The Broads called to mind early Devendra Banhardt, while Young Animals‘ hot female back-up warmed up for about half an hour before the band started. We don’t know her she sounds like a 1930s jazz record on an old-fashioned record player.

As Young Animals were wrapping up downstairs, Jeff was getting started upstairs, and I still don’t understand how 2 people managed to sound like 5, but the band pulled it off (and loved the freaky long hair on him and the 70s/Cher style on her). Sleepy Sun‘s pounding guitars, vocals oscillating between soulful gospel and energetic yelps and jumping all over the stage – great musicians plus fantastic stage presence, and they’re only 21. Those who stuck around for Whalebones definitely found the early morning set worth the wait. The disco ball whirled and festival goers danced as the Seattle-based band blasted unabashed rock n’ roll blended with trippy, indie instrumentals. The pulsating beats and frenzy of guitar riffs captivated the crowd, making their set a fan favorite.

Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound managed to keep the crowd energetic even in the wee hours of the morning, with the party upstairs and the lingering crowd downstairs showing no signs of letting up. Drinks were still flowing and guests were trying out the rope swing near the bar as the set closed and we headed out the door to see if our car had been jacked.

Day Two kicked off with an incredibly un-kosher Friday night pork cook. Ghetto Gourmet founder Jeremy Townsend, and editors of McSweeney’s and The Believer came out to judge the dishes, awarding _Heeb_ a narrow victory with its bacon-wrapped tofu fried in bacon grease.

Early arrivers mingled and sampled pork dishes, while a small group lit candles for Shabbat. As the fest began, the downstairs stage played host to Seattle-based indie duo Fences, sorrowful folk songstress Tiny Vipers, and local folk-y favorites Lazarus, while Fullerton punk rockers Audacity and local bands Glitter Wizard and Bridez got the audience shouting and moshing upstairs.

Oakland’s Damon & the Heathens played a funky blend of punk and soul with lots of energy, pumping up the crowd with their brass band meets garage rock sound. Halfway through their set, some asshole started throwing beer cans and catchy-as-hell SoCal pop duo Princeton lured the masses downstairs. The love child of Belle and Sebastian and the Bloomsbury Group, Princeton’s carefree melodies and fluttering keyboard got the crowd dancing.

Husband and Wife won the award for master improvisation skills, using an upside-down wooden chair as a makeshift drum set. The folksy band played dreamlike songs of their own but ended their set with an amazing cover of Modest Mouse’s "Sleepwalkin.’"

Thee Makeout Party and No Bunny combined forces for a loud and raucous early morning set, while Greg Ashley ended Day Two downstairs with a quiet and beautiful set of new songs.

Ojos Rojos kicked off Day Three with an amazing performance that got people dancing and hollering. Metal bands Im a Gun and Loving Thunder got heads banging upstairs, but the highlight of the night was What Cheer? Brigade, a marching band from Rhode Island by way of Eastern Europe. The Brigade kicked off a high-energy set of gypsy-fueled punk marching music that was a perfect fit for Ghost Town’s bordello-meets-punk club vibe. Hundreds of fans joined the band, sweating, dancing and occasionally squealing when the monkey-masked bandleader crept up behind. Aleks of Aleks and the Drummer performed next, sans drummer. Even with a messed up soundboard and only a laptop to accompany her, Aleks won over new fans.

While Tweak Bird set up and hung out upstairs, another Chicago favorite Loto Ball Show followed Aleks and drew fans downstairs with pounding keys, horns and bass. As they finished up, the crowd started chanting for Tweak Bird upstairs and the three-man-band obliged with some hardcore rock. Fellow L.A. rockers Ancestors rang in the morning with a head banging set worthy of our last night at the den of iniquity known as Ghost Town.

Despite the crappy rules and bad attitude of what is supposed to be Oakland’s coolest cafe, Day Four was possibly the best night of the festival, not necessarily for hard rocking, but for amazing musicianship and a good crowd. Garret Pierce started off with a truly unplugged set – just him and his guitar ’cause the microphone hadn’t shown up yet. Though he said he felt naked, and claimed his singing voice was quiet, it rang clear and strong over the crowd, which was impressed by his obvious talent.

A late addition to the bill Diana really did sing softly, so it was lucky that the microphone arrived to save the day. Reminiscent of Joan Baez, her almost-whispering voice was accompanied by classic folk guitar. Seattle’s one-woman show Night Canopy was up next. Totally unassuming and soft spoken, she proceeded to belt out lyrics and strum her guitar with confidence, her songs a mix of 60s pop and modern alt country. Legendary Ruthann Friedman (she of "Wendy" fame) was up next; I don’t think I’ve ever wanted someone to be my mom so bad. Between her free rocking lyrics and her chatty jokes between songs, she was irresistibly charming.

Capping off an excellent line-up were The Chapin Sisters whose songs seemed written specifically for this space at exactly this time. The three sisters voices joined together in some of the loveliest songs I’ve heard in awhile, and their white peasant dresses made the performance only more sublime.

What do you think?