Poptimism tells you that there are intricacies which make easy melodies sound so right. Meanwhile, rock buffs tend to find pop boring with its repetition and whatnot. We can settle the score right now, though, just as long as both sides of the battle are willing to flex their definition of pop. Magnolia Loft will do the explaining.
Jamaica Plain venue Magnolia Loft was created by that neighborhood’s own Audrey Harrer. The teacher and musician fosters a rich environment for musicians on the fringe of folk to find a home. Technically a private studio, Magnolia Loft encourages experimental DIY events to take place there frequently, all with the intent of pushing our idea of music into a realm where curiosity is mandatory.
There’s no better introduction to the space’s perks than Saturday night’s Experimental Pop Showcase. The evening of music brings four acts together under one roof, offering them a chance to play to a room of fancy flowers, cozy carpets, and fully engaged humans. This time around, Boston-based multi-instrumentalist Jhainish will open as will Mexico-born composer Mut, organ and autoharp-totting artist Vuk will follow suit, live-looping sensation Nuda Veritas will perform after, and finally Harrer herself will close out the night.
Harrer’s alt-chamber pop brings the evening to a close not just for this Magnolia Loft show but for her spring tour. The harpist has been traveling from state to state performing original material for soon-to-be adoring onlookers. For pop purists, it may sounds like a symphony take on alt-radio hits, but those prying through song structure will find it’s far more complicated than the ears can pick up. That’s what music’s for: making you feel and making you think. As a farewell to this tour’s performance, she will combine vocal gymnastics, live looping, and processed harp, the combination of which sounds like the middle ground between Julia Holter and Natalie Prass.
So take this one motto with you when you go: Pop is fun, but it’s a hell of a lot more so when things get weird.
AUDREY HARRER, NUDA VERITAS, VUK, JHAINISH, MUT. SAT 5.21. MAGNOLA LOFT, 128 BROOKSIDE AVE., JAMAICA PLAIN. 7PM/ALL AGES/DONATIONS ACCEPTED. FACEBOOK.COM/MAGNOLIALOFTJP.
