Let’s set the scene real quick. Everywhere you look there are remnants of art. From the props littering the room to the painters tape last used to decorate a previous event. At the far end of the room are the instruments and speakers that are placed to make a small space for the bands performing. Almost feels like you’re tucked away in an artist’s warehouse office.
The line up for the night was Baedizzle opening with a DJ set, Lust Orchid, and finishing with Wax Girl. I have experienced a few Baedizzle shows and she always delivers with her sets. The two other bands were a mystery to me. Both are from the Philadelphia DIY scene and, to my understanding, were on tour of other local scenes in a few different states. They included little ‘ole Huntington on their tour to the enjoyment of the intimate crowd who showed up in support.
Before I get to their sets though I have to give credit to Baedizzle. Our very own local DJ who, in collaboration with other femme/queer DJ’s, started a collective here in Huntington, WV. As someone who has been a fan of electronic music since middle school but lives in WV, I always thought raves would be out of the picture. It seems like something that only happens in major cities. Baedizzle, along with the rest of Their House, bring their beats right into the heart of Huntington. Wednesday’s HACKS show was no different. Baedizzle opened for the two bands with an ethereal set. Not much of a dancer myself but her song selection, transitions, and thumping bass made it hard not to move. The mix of otherworldly voices and heavy beats dug the movements right out of me. Try standing still at one of her shows…I would bet money you wouldn’t be able to. As her set came to an end she gave a sneak peek into the next Their House show. Category is…Indie Sleaze. Ever wondered what going to a Project X party would be like? Come to The Loud on Saturday August 23rd to find out.
Next on the set list was Lust Orchid. My eyes followed them setting up but the lead singer’s voice still took me by surprise. It flowed into the air amidst the slight synth and bass settling somewhere deep in my bones. That voice shook something in me and the relief was overwhelming. Did I tear up during that first minute? Yes. That tends to happen when something as beautiful as that song takes me by surprise. Is it slightly embarrassing to admit? Also yes. There was just something about their whole performance that hypnotized me. How one person was threading out intense sounds with the bass AND drums, switching between the two. The way the gritty synth interlaced with the bass threads. The lead singer’s voice trembling through the forest of sound to suddenly lash out with screams. Their sound coalescing into the steadiness of an entity not afraid of chaos but one who wholeheartedly embraces it. All while dancing to the thrum rattling our veins. Their Instagram bio sums it all up…they really are “blood stained and sparkling.”
Last on the roster for the night was Wax Girl. At this point it was getting kind of late for me as I had work the next day. Deciding I was going to leave after one or two of Wax Girl’s songs seemed like the safe choice. Guess who stayed until the last note rang out. I don’t regret a single second even if I was a bit sleep deprived the following morning. Another band, another hypnotic performance. Only this time it felt like a different method of hypnosis. The ebb and flow of their combined sound made me feel weightless. The bass and drums a stable backdrop of ocean currents as the guitar’s shimmering waves move above. A voice floating over the instruments, buoyed there by the notes. My eyes closed during one song just so I could fully take in the feeling of it all. I could almost see the light reflecting off the deep waters their music drifted on.
The performance each artist put on was incredible. Their music brought abstract feelings into reality creating a type of painting for the audience to experience. Each one could be mistaken for groups signed to major record labels with all of them having strong performances. They were truly inspiring. I was hesitant to go by myself having only been to one other HACKS event with my friend. Looking back I’m beyond grateful I went. If you have the chance to see any one of these artists please do yourself the favor of going to their show. Your future self might just thank you for it.
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