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Feb 17, 2010 By Laura Studarus Photography by Colleen Police St. Vincent

I go to a lot of shows. But rarely—if ever—am I as fired up about an opener as I was about seeing Wildbirds & Peacedrums open for St. Vincent. Lighter already aloft (metaphorically anyway), by the end of their eight song set I was ready to quit my job and start following them around in a van.

Of course, this shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Wildbirds & Peacedrums’ music is made for extreme reactions, which, judging by the people around me, where predominately positive. The duo—husband and wife Andreas Werliin and Mariam Wallentin—craft music comprised solely of Wallentin’s powerhouse voice and whatever percussive elements they can get their hands on. Live, this creates a zero-to-sixty dichotomy as the soft-spoken Swedes introduced themselves, and launched into a full-scale assault—songs blending into each other in a glorious, heartfelt cacophony. I’m soft-hearted by nature (read: wimpy), but I wouldn’t be surprised if I wasn’t the only one with a tear in my eye during six-minute-plus set closer “My Heart.”

It was tough act to follow. However, Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent) was up for the challenge. Looking like a Disney princess, and playing guitar like an actual hero, she tore though a set comprised heavily of material from sophomore album, Actor. Backed by a four-piece band that included a violinist, her delicately detailed compositions translated flawlessly into the live setting. With her facial expression rarely registering anything but serenity, it was almost too easy to overlook how fast Clark’s fingers were flying.

However, the audience wasn’t about to let her (or anyone else) forget. Overcome by the shouts of good wishes (including a fair share of “I Love Yous”) Clark finally addressed the audience. “I like that this is a public forum” she said, laughing. “It reminds me of a 4th grade soccer game…in the best way possible! Team work makes the dream work!”

Despite exercising a fair dose of girl-next-door charm, by evening’s end it was clear that Clark is in a neighborhood of her own. Closing the show with a Jethro Tull cover followed by an extended psychedelic version of “Your Lips Are Red,” she brought a dazzling night to a satisfying conclusion.

St. Vincent set list:

1. The Strangers

2. Save Me From What I Want

3. Laughing With a Mouth of Blood

4. Actor Out of Work

5. Jesus Saves, I Spend

6. Just the Same But Brand New

7. The Bed

8. These Days (Nico cover)

9. Black Rainbow

10. Marrow

11. The Party

12. Aqualung (Jethro Tull cover)

13. Your Lips are Red

(www.myspace.com/wildbirdsandpeacedrums)

(www.ilovestvincent.com)