2008 FMF Preview: Stars Like Fleas

La Blogotheque's Take Away Shows - Stars Like Fleas

Artist: Stars Like Fleas
Website: www.myspace.com/starslikefleas
Regional Connection: Keyboardist Ryan Smith is from Madison
Showcase: September 20, 2008 at the Orpheum Theatre Stage Door (9pm)
Co-Performers: The Pale Young Gentlemen, Rock Plaza Central

Stars Like Fleas is one of the secret gems of Forward Music Fest. Hailing from Brooklyn and venturing out of the city for the very first time to tour in eight years of existence, the collective's layered instrumentation wanders like an intricate sound experiment. But don't take my word for it, LeVar Burton. Pitchfork called their new release The Ken Burns Effect "one of the year's most ambitious and daring records" and NPR referred to it as "a work of mad genius". Aptly named as the slow pan of documentary film, the Fleas sound is focused and reflective yet wildly intriguing.

The cluster of like minds yet divergent thoughts is led by Shanon Fields and Montgomery Knott at the core. Other members include madisonian Ryan Smith, improv musician Shelley Burgon, Ryan Sawyer (from Fiery Furnaces, At the Drive-In, TV On The Radio, and currently the Tall Firs), Jon Natchez (from Beirut, White Rabbits, and Bishop Allen), and sometimes Sam Amidon of recent All Is Well fame.

Stars Like Fleas - I Was Only Dancing (mp3)