A guest dispatch on cool things spotted at Art | Basel in Miami, from Kristen Philipkoski:
People often ask Seattle band Latitude x Longitude (YouTube link) to describe their unique sound, because as vocalist Rebeqa Rivers can attest, it's not exactly categorizable. But after giving it much thought, Rivers says Steampunk seemed perfect. No doubt once giving them a listen that seems pretty accurate. Rivers' gorgeous voice is layered over mandolin and toy piano sounds, as well as Spencer Smith's guitar and sometimes drums. They even have a visual artist as an official member of the band: Michelle Anders. From the bands press page: "Paired with LxL's inquisitive lyrics, Anderst examines the patterns and elegance of the machinery, anatomy, flora, and fauna that surround everyday life."
The band's interest in the visual arts can be traced to Rivers' sister, Lanae Rivers-Woods, who has an art gallery in Seattle called La Familia. The sisters were manning the gallery's booth at Aqua Art Miami hosted by GenArt recently in Miami. With Anders' art on display, Latitude x Longitude music playing, and the rest of La Familia's art on exhibit, it was the liveliest booth at the fair.
[Photos: (c) Lanae Rivers-Woods, 2009]
