A path to success in music could very well originate from a trust in one’s own vision and the patience to nurture ideas into a full body of work.
The most thoughtful artists establish their early sound like planting a seed, and the bold ones grow their catalogue by way of inventive, deeply personal songs and with a confidence that fans will always welcome new material — even it takes a few listens.
Ruban Nielson believes in the songs he’s been crafting as the leader of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and by instilling an authenticity when he formed the band in 2010, the New Zealand native propped the group for longevity and put it on a trajectory to become one of the most thrilling and pleasurable acts recording and taking the stage today.
UMO packed 9:30 Club on back-to-back nights last week, and in playing two sold-out shows in the nation’s capital, Nielson and his squad showed they are indeed thriving on their patented psych rock-acid pop-fantasy R&B recipe, as are the band’s growing number of fans.
Stream the new Unknown Mortal Orchestra album, V, released on Jagjaguwar, via Spotify:
In an enigmatic presentation to match UMO’s brand of mystique and intrigue, the band executed a transportive and tantalizing set of music on April 18 that pulled from the talented group’s expanding songbook, including the magnificent new double album, V, released in March on Jagjaguwar.
Billowing stage fog made general visibility low early in the evening, but a massive U-M-O spelled out in vintage lights on the back wall pumped through the haze like an old-school marquee to fire up the audience as cups of water were dispersed to the many who’d waited in the humidity to get down with this band before it ended its anticipated U.S. spring tour this past weekend.
In full swing having been on the road since late March, the four-man group took the stage with a purpose and the crowd was elated, shouting from any direction, from both levels. Ruban was joined by bass player and respected producer Jacob Portrait, with whom he founded the band, as well as his brother Kody on the drumkit and Christian Li on keys.
Though it was hard to see the detail of their actions, these players concocted dynamic, provocative sounds, stylishly examined a spectrum of emotion and casually showed off incredible musicianship that added up to one of the trippiest, most captivating presentations 9:30 Club might see for some time.
“The Garden” from V kicked it off, and this unordinary piece showcased the remarkable vocal abilities and extraordinary guitar know-how Ruban’s acquired through more than 20 years of playing music professionally — he and Kody achieved success a band prior as The Mint Chicks, a volatile, expressive endeavor that lasted for about a decade. While that noisy art project was raucous and intentionally absurd, songs like the mystical opener to the new UMO album are demonstrative of an advanced songwriting operation — one with active, dazzlingly bizarre arrangements, cozy melodies, and a passion that juices from every track.
Watch the official music video for Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s most recent single, “Meshuggah,” via the band’s YouTube channel:
Much like their last go-round, the Nielson brothers boost Unknown Mortal Orchestra with an infectious spirit, a zest to make music and have fun doing it. Kody absolutely hammers the kit — he eventually broke a piece of it late in the set in DC. And Portrait — who’s worked with artists like Alex G and Porches — appears to be a like-minded soul. He wore a wide grin throughout the set, and he was crucial not only in laying a resilient foundation, but in lifting the harmonies too.
Li, an up-and-coming artist out of New York City and the newest touring member of the band, proved himself invaluable in shaping the sonic clouds that uniquely tint each composition.
This tour saw UMO decidedly bust out a list of what have become favorites along the band’s ascension, and those on hand in DC were treated to a pair from the album titled II: a surreal “From The Sun/Secret Xtians” combo followed by “Swim and Sleep,” a plunging, kaleidoscopic escape from anything and everything. Here, Ruban’s voice was otherworldly, wise, and cunning as he handled the guitar like a master and jumped about to catch what little light was flashing at him across the stage.
The first song released from the latest album, “Weekend Run” made its way onto streaming platforms back in 2021 — sassy, funky, a track that gets better with each play. Like Ruban has said in interviews, he follows his own instincts in writing songs and almost expects them to catch on after going through his own rigorous, selective approval process. At 9:30 Club, this and each original UMO track were welcomed by everyone in the house in what became an all-out bash.
“Thank you so much, DC,” Ruban said, never fully illuminated at any point in the show. “Thanks for letting us play some of this old stuff too.”
What he referred to as old might be considered now to be foundational material that has helped the band develop and maintain its identity as a leading force in experimental, psychedelic sounds. Over the course of a decade that saw this style of music proliferate — with a notable wave of psychedelic groups or musicians coming out of Australasia — Unknown Mortal Orchestra has used consistency and care to establish itself as a leading explorer of the territory.
The new songs feel akin to those captured on early records and reinforcing this in DC was a carefree pairing of “Thought Ballune / Little Blu House,” two standouts from the 2011 self-titled UMO premiere, an album praised out of the gate for its use of time and space.
Chris Nielson — Ruban and Kody’s father and an amazing story himself — emerged stage right with the sax or the flute to augment several tunes. With his presence alone, Chris reminded how far his two sons have come: They watched him struggle but ultimately overcome drug addiction before he helped them get into music.
Such an unconventional upbringing has yielded atypical songwriting, especially on the newest UMO album. Smooth, flirtatious, and intimate, “Nadja” has quickly emerged as another favorite from V, and it translated to a glorious live offering at 9:30 Club, where Ruban’s solo was chic, sexy, and unmistakably bluesy.
Fans were treated to “So Good At Being In Trouble,” a song from II that by the numbers appears to be the most popular of UMO’s to date. Like in this track’s recorded form, Ruban used his sumptuous, tender intonation to impassion it with a distinct soulfulness.
Revisit Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s critically acclaimed 2013 studio album, II, via Spotify:
A romantic and alleviating number from V, “Layla” was nothing short of beautiful in its live form. With its enduring, pitifully hopeful chorus — “let’s get out of this broken place” — this single, the first released this year, overjoyed the 9:30 crowd.
Ruban’s guitar seems to find a contrasting seam in the best UMO songs, and he went off in this take, injecting thrash into an off-beat rhythm and appearing like a guitar lord of sorts. He’d show throughout the night the ability to both obtrude and compliment melodies, giving each song its signature accent.
After “Multi-Love” from the 2015 album of the same name, Ruban shared an unexpected cover of T. Rex’s “Cosmic Dancer,” and in doing so he revealed what is certainly another psych posse that informed him and his mates.
A fascinating groove that high steps with elegance and hears Ruban at his most adoring, “Meshuggah” sounded like an instant classic when it was released early this year as a single, and it was a celebratory closer last Tuesday night at 9:30 Club. The audience wagged its collective tail through this track and on through to the encore, which saw UMO return for a healthy five-song addendum.
The group led it off with a cover of “Shakedown Street” that, when the band recorded it for the high-profile Day of the Dead project back in 2016, undoubtedly placed UMO’s name in the minds of the many Grateful Dead lovers worldwide. At 9:30 Club, ticketholders bopped, twisted, and turned to the UMO version of this song as it ventured into wild territory and Ruban showed more of the electric guitar textures that seem wholly his own.
“Like Acid Rain” from Multi-Love manifested as a glamourous, vivid expose, and it preceded a series of the band’s most adored tracks, including “That Life,” a winsome and lasting pop cut from V, and the heavily requested and ultra-sweet “Hunnybee” from 2018’s Sex and Food.
As many hoped, the night culminated with one of the band’s most recognizable and amusing creations, “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone,” another hit from Multi-Love. Proof of UMO’s powerful dance-inducing properties, this snazzy, temperamental introspection moved every living body in the place.
With more artists than ever competing for eyes and ears, it’s not easy for a risk-taking band to establish itself with fans — especially at a time of so much psychedelic examination.
But even with a name that poses it ambiguously, Unknown Mortal Orchestra has become a favorite daily routine for many listeners worldwide. And with a perceptive leader who has put so much of himself and his family into the music, UMO is positioned to grow and please its fans for years to come.
Setlist
The Garden
From the Sun/Secret Xtians
Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)
Weekend Run
The Opposite of Afternoon
Thought Ballune / Little Blu House
Necessary Evil / Monki
Ministry of Alienation
In The Rear View
Nadja
So Good at Being in Trouble / Waves of Confidence
Layla
Multi-Love
Cosmic Dancer (T. Rex cover)
Meshuggah
Shakedown Street (Grateful Dead cover)
Like Acid Rain
That Life
Hunnybee
Can’t Keep Checking My Phone
Here are film photographs of Unknown Mortal Orchestra as well as opening act Seafoam Walls performing at 9:30 Club on April 18, 2023. Most of these were taken with two Nikon F2 cameras, both made in the 1970s, and a few were snapped with an Olympus Trip 35. All images copyright and courtesy of Casey Vock.
Seafoam Walls
