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Crystal Stilts @ EV Radio Fest, NYC - pics

photos by Chris La Putt

ex-Vivian Girl, standing drummer Frankie Rose
Crystal Stilts

The Crystal Stilts are moody-sounding fuckers who make fabulous stripped-down garage-pop. Their mix-and-match post-punk ditties manage to sound both affected and effective at the same time; they’re weirdly life-affirming and very fun. You want to dance when you hear them– dance with a furrowed brow, maybe, but move around nonetheless. Singer Brad Hargett is from Brooklyn by way of Florida but sounds like he’s from Manchester by way of Slough. The main thing I wonder when I listen to Crystal Stilts is why is it so hard to make exceptional garage-pop like this? [Pitchfork]

The Crystal Stilts played one of my favorite sets of the day on the side stage of the East Village Radio Festival on Sunday (9/7). Brad comes off like he doesn’t care on stage, yet he draws you in and occasionaly gives a hint that he really is enjoying himself. His eyes roll back into his head, he does a little dance – it’s hard not to watch what he’ll do next even though he’s barely doing anything. My biggest revelation was how much the Vivian Girls lost when Frankie their drummer decided to go full time with the Crystal Stilts. More pictures below…

Crystal Stilts

Crystal Stilts

Crystal Stilts

Crystal Stilts

Crystal Stilts

Crystal Stilts

Crystal Stilts