Live Music Review: Flakefest Vol. 1 defied expectations at Mohawk June 28

The word “culture” is derived from the Latin word “cultus” which means “to care.” Later, the French used the same root for “colore” which adds a connotation of tending the earth for growth. Culture, as we use it today, combines both meanings and can be defined as the ongoing process of working, nurturing and attending to an environment with the intention of producing something of value. It’s a dynamic word, and therefore, ideal for the purposes of creation.

So when we say that Austin, Texas has a culture of live music, we don’t simply mean that there are lots of places where you can see bands play in person. Our flourishing music culture is about something deeper. It’s about cultivation and care of new sounds by some of the most talented musicians in America.

Nowhere could this phenomenon be better illustrated than at FLAKEFEST Vol. 1 on Friday, June 28, 2024 at Mohawk. Two bands – Como Las Movies and Starflake – took to the stage along with a handful of other local music luminaries and brought us an evening of homegrown, Latin-infused, experimental music that defies expectations and crushes definitions.

Como Las Movies, a nuevo wave band that infuses pan-Latin and pop sounds, took to the stage around 9:45 p.m., kicking off their set with the popular “Am I Cumbia? Yes I Am,” and from that point on it was an hour of non-stop musical bliss. This band is tight, y’all. Fronted by Nelson Valente Aguilar, their sound pulls the audience in with Latin rhythms and a complex, psychedelic synth, blending and churning these sounds in unexpected, yet delightful ways. Aguilar’s vocals are smooth, effacing machismo for soulful yearning. Jeff “Jaguar” Grauzer towers over his bandmates, his signature flat-brimmed hat and deft bass work the center groove around which the other members spin-weave their magic. All five members of Como Las Movies are tuned in to one another, communicating in a way that transcends language. Listening to their record is a joy, but hearing – and watching – them perform live is an opportunity to experience the ecstatic.

About halfway through the set, Aguilar welcomed Sabrina Ellis to the stage. Ellis, renowned and beloved in Austin as the front person for A Giant Dog, is an official member of the Como Las Movies family, and close friend to Aguilar (the two share a birthday). Ellis’ voice brings an element of clarity and sweetness, yet there’s incredible power behind it. They are a bona fide rockstar and they know how to elevate the music, and compliment the band with a voice that is its own instrument.

Como Las Movies Setlist:

• Am I Cumbia? Yes I Am
• Cumbia de los Monjes
• Tiendita
• El Beso
• Feedback Cumbiero
• Adios Beto
• La Inconforme
• Llorando
  Sabor a Candy
  

Starflake, fronted by Jackie O’Brien of The Bright Light Social Hour, is a new joint launched just a year ago. The band is the result of a confluence of super talented people mixing it up, working passionately on their craft, refusing to stay in some designated lane.  “This is what happens when you get three bass players and two drummers together,” O’Brien announced, and let the audience know that the band was ‘still figuring it all out’.

Indeed, the music of Starflake in its present incarnation is experimental, tip-toeing along the edge of avant garde, infusing elements of jazz, funk and Latin pop. Their first single, NuBooty, released last month, might lead you to believe they’re making dance music. While the song is danceable, it takes on an entirely new form when the band plays it live. The rhythm is there, but it goes deeper and darker, and far more psychedelic. 

Throughout their set, Starflake took us on a musical journey to unexpected places. At times they embraced dissonance, only to transition seamlessly into pristine melodies or blues-based rock. Alex Holeman’s synth work is a standout. He makes intelligent, complex sounds that push us beyond the driving rhythm and challenge the status quo within and without. Saxophonist Topaz McCarrigle joined the band for the last two songs, underlining the jazz-like fusion and improvisation that the band held forth all evening. There is a rawness to Starflake’s performance that leaves room for interpretation and evolution, a perfect sandbox for pushing artistic boundaries.

For his part, O’Brien brings a powerful bass and whimsical vocals, along with a stage presence honed from more than a decade of fronting The Bright Light Social Hour. Like Shakespeare’s Puck, he flits about the stage, sensual and mischievous, touching the audience with occasional anecdotes and encouraging their participation. At one point, he went through the band introducing each member as “Starflake,” a fascinating glimpse at the philosophy of integration and interconnectedness behind this new project.

While every musician onstage that night was brilliant, it’s impossible to close this review without acknowledging the outstanding percussionist Juan Alfredo Ríos, member of both Como Las Movies and Starflake (as well as two other bands – The Bright Light Social Hour and Easy Compadre!). Ríos’ talent is remarkable, as is his drive. He played a minimum of two hours that night, showing no sign of fatigue despite the physically taxing nature of his role. Usually positioned at the rear of the stage, he’s doing some heavy lifting without a huge spotlight. Yet, his sound makes all the difference, adding an unforgettable dimension to both Como Las Movies’ and Starflake’s live performances.

Starflake Setlist:

• Leo Rising
• NuBooty
• Starflake
• Tanta Nada
• Cuando Tomas (In My Head Again)
• Don’t Let Go
• Bajo La Luna
• Come Clean
• I Would Fuck Myself
• Cumbia 4 Molly (feat. Topaz McGarrigle)
• Halleluhwah by CAN (feat. Dani Neff + Topaz McGarrigle)

We’re lucky to live in Austin, where every weekend you can have world-class performers take you on a journey that will expand your mind and heart, expose you to incredible new sounds, and offer you a chance to celebrate life with fellow music enthusiasts. Our culture of music is a true culture – one that is a result of extraordinary talent, passion, professionalism and dedication by people who take their art seriously. Get out there and get some.

Your next opportunity to see Starflake is July 20th at Empire for Hot Summer Nights.

Photos by Amanda Quraishi