I took my friend Kram Ran to see Tearist play live in New York while we were visiting—a performance which has become to the two of us a base to which all other events and experiences are now compared “This isn’t as good as seeing Tearist live.” “This show would be better if Tearist was playing.” “I wish Tearist was here” (in line at the grocery store).
If you don’t know who Tearist are, it might be because you’re not following the internet’s international underground dark music scene, or you never got into Former Ghosts. All you need to know is that Tearist is Yasmine Kittles and William Strangeland of L.A., they’re influenced by Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty (and somehow get it right), and no one knows when they’ll make it up to Canada. Living: 2009 – Present is their first official live release.
When you put this record on, Kittles isn’t going to be inches from your face, all limbs and teeth, menacing a metal pipe one second and then beating herself against a wall on the other side of the room while cameras flash the next. You can, however, put this on and hear her yelping and swaggering in your living room over Strangeland’s Suicide beats and gut-aggressive synth lines.
Kittles can belt it out so hard and so good it paralyzes you and still flail wilder than Freddy Ruppert did in This Song is a Mess but So am I, but my main attraction to Tearist goes beyond their next level live show. I’m obsessed by their relentless integrity and commitment to making good art. Get Living if you want to hear a talented, real band get down (or if you collect hand letter-pressed LP jackets). Otherwise, just download some syrupy Austra mp3s and go to the beach. (Thin Wrist Recordings, www.thinwrist.com) Kristel Jax
Winnipeg music & culture since 1989