Jungol unleashes 'FOOFARAW' at Deer Bear Wolf variety show
Jungol headlines Deer Bear Wolf's inaugural 'Natural Selection' variety show on Thurs., July 17.
Photo credit: Raymond Chang
Only a few months have passed since Davy Minor's Deer Bear Wolf Records jumped onto the scene, but the fledging label/magazine has become a key figure in organizing Atlanta's disparate arts. This Thurs. (July 17), Deer Bear Wolf launches its inaugural monthly 'Natural Selection' variety show in the Rodriguez Room at the Goat Farm. Minor recently said the goal of his latest venture is to "connect all the dots and present the infinitely sprawling creative scene of Atlanta in a comprehensive and accessible way." The variety show lives up to his lofty intentions by offering a slew of stand-up comedians, animated short films, performance artists, a one-man play, and cutting edge music.
Arguably the most exciting act is a special one-off performance from sonic explorers Jungol. The group has dubbed the performance 'FOOFARAW,' and in a statement said it "combines live music, video projections, choreography, large puppets, the group's ambient album, Dust, spoken word and more."
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This show hints to its 2013 short film GoSoftly yet takes the group into a wholly different visual realm. It's an ambitious show, but if any band managed to combine puppetry and ambient textures in a somewhat intelligible fashion, it would certainly be Jungol.
Multi-instrumentalist Suzanne Baker performs under her Rattler Snake solo moniker to fill out the rest of the show's musical side. Though she's made the rounds performing with local luminaries the Back Pockets, Faun and a Pan Flute, and Hello Ocho, she shines brightest on her own. With Rattler Snake, Baker anchors her songwriting with stark banjo lines that slither along as her voice guides the energy in fiery billows and hushed melodies. Don't let the banjo fool you, though. This is hardly folk, and more often aligns with Jungol's ethereal ambiance.
Even for those with little interest in abstract puppetry and creepy banjos, the variety show offers something that most concerts lack: unity. Atlanta's art scene is formidable, yet like the city itself is left disjoint by urban sprawl. Deer Bear Wolf's first variety show points to a new coalescence of talent, and a comprehensive picture of Atlanta's artistic prowess.