Review by Andrew Bansal, photos by Matt Nielson
August 16th 2016, Complex, Glendale CA: Los Angeles-based doom cellist Alison Chesley performs under the moniker Helen Money, and has developed quite a fan-following amongst metal-loving masses over the past few years, earning an appreciable level of admiration through her spellbinding performances appearing as opening act for metal bands. Originally based out of Chicago but now a Los Angeles transplant, she released an album called ‘Arriving Angels’ via Profound Lore Records in 2013 and started playing shows in and around the LA/Orange County area. Back then, very few in the metal scene were aware of her existence, but she steadily built her own audience, and in August 2016, she is headlining her own residency at Complex in Glendale, along with a lineup of support acts she has curated herself. For this residency, titled ‘Become Zero’ after her next album slated for a September release via Thrill Jockey, Helen Money was booked by local underground conglomerate Midnite Collective for four Tuesdays at the venue this month. The second show took place on August 16th, featuring Black Mare and Clay Rendering as the openers, and presenting a new and sonically enhanced version of Helen Money as a live performer.
Doors opened at 9, and at 9:45, experimental duo Clay Rendering took the stage for an intense, intriguing 30-minute set. Their adventurous musical style comprises male and female vocals, guitar, synth, keys, effects and samples, and is hard to describe or categorize but is certainly dark and expressive enough for fans of heavy music to relate to. The slow, haunting musical passages combined with the duo’s stage presence and on-stage interaction with each other made for a compelling set. To put it in perspective for readers, this is the kind of band that should be writing the soundtrack for the next season of ‘Stranger Things’. Clay Rendering is experimental music done right.
Next up was Black Mare, the solo project of Ides Of Gemini vocalist Sera Timms, delivering a mighty fine set of darkwave/ambient rock through a four-piece lineup fronted by her. There were some songs in the set for which she only sang, while she donned her guitar for some, and those were the standout segments of the performance, as the rich, clean dual guitar sound accompanying the angelic vocals came across as highly captivating in this chilled-out setting which suited this band perfectly. Black Mare has been releasing music and playing shows for at least three years, and played a new song here which was probably the best thing in this set. Based on that, there’s much to look forward to from Black Mare, and admirers of atmospheric/ambient/progressive rock (specially fans of bands like Alcest, Anathema, Katatonia and Porcupine Tree) must take notice.
Soon after, Helen Money took the stage and began her set in typically low-key fashion with no announcements or intro tapes whatsoever, and even as people were still talking loudly inside the room, she started playing her cello. All her live performances prior to this residency featured the cellist all by herself, but she has taken a massive step through this residency, introducing another performer joining her on stage for the very first time, Will Thomas on percussion and keyboards. Based on this set, it’s clear that Thomas’ addition has enhanced the Helen Money live concert experience in every aspect, and if fans of heavy rock/metal weren’t finding her to their liking before, they have more reason to do so now. That being said, her talents on the cello are definitely not losing any focus or being overshadowed, and never will be. No matter what show she plays, whether as headliner or as an opening act, on her own or with collaborators, Helen Money will always stand out in the audience’s memory for her sheer uniqueness and will invariably leave a long-lasting impact.
The performance itself was more mesmerizing than ever, but ruined to some extent by a section of the crowd here, as people were talking loudly near the bar and it was difficult to hear some of the quieter parts in Helen Money’s music. This is one element of bar shows that does not quite fit with Helen Money’s style of music, and these residency shows should perhaps come with a request to all patrons to either stay silent during her set or take their chatter outside. That aside, it was a solid turnout, and it was heartening to note that the once obscure and unknown cellist now has a strong enough fan-following to draw good turnouts to a 200-capacity room week after week.
A top-class show from start to finish by all three acts, and a residency that will compel attendees to return every week.
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Helen Money upcoming shows:
08/22/2016 – Sacramento, CA @ Starlite Lounge (w/ John Haughm & Not)
08/23/2016 – Glendale, CA @ Complex (w/ John Haughm & Deathkings)
08/25/2016 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent (supporting Shellac)
08/30/2016 – Glendale, CA @ Complex (w/ Sanford Parker & Glaare)
More photos from the show:
