"The Mojdeh Project: Boundary-pushing players that appeal to a young crowd weary of the alt-pop scene."
by Rob Putnam
The Mojdeh Project
Elbo Room
Chicago, IL
Material: The Mojdeh Project’s stock in trade is folkcore, although it sometimes verges on avant-garde and channels small measures of Björk and art rock. In short, lyrics are what drive this band. Standouts include “The Gateway,” poetically,the band’s strongest song, the percussion-fronted “Poetry,” and “Life Is,” a song that asserts that life is hard when you’re human.
Musicianship: All members of the trio like to push the boundaries and get fairly experimental in their choice of instruments –– found objects, some of them –– and how they’re mic’d. Mojdeh Stoakley shows versatility by playing bass, guitar and improvised instruments such as a propane tank. Drummer Brian Brennan sometimes plays using his hands and at other times employs a djembe, to interesting effect.
Performance: Stoakley joked and engaged in light banter between songs, which was a sharp contrast to the Mojdeh Project’s typically serious, more contemplative lyrics. During the song “Poetry” she battered a propane tank with drumsticks, making her musical points so strongly that she broke one of the sticks. Her vocals were often throaty and somber. Sakhnovski also tapped a thick spring that lent the song a haunting quality. The band’s 10-song set flowed smoothly and the song order was well chosen.
Summary: This ensemble represents a different kind of sound. Their genre and lyrics will likely appeal to a younger crowd that is perhaps weary of pop or alternative. They’re all competent musicians and the band is working hard to get its name out. These artists have done their homework and are headed in their own direction. Fans of folkcore, or anyone just looking for something new, might do well to check them out.
[see original image archive of the article below]
www.themojdehproject.com
www.lethalpoetry.com
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