- Of all the artists on Erased Tapes, Kiasmos look likely to become the label's next signature act in the wake of Nils Frahm's world domination. The music Ólafur Arnalds and Janus Rasmussen make together has enough melodramatic flair to draw in fans from outside electronic music, while its heavy techno pulse also appeals to the dance floor. That much was clear when I caught the Icelandic duo on Saturday, December 12th in Vancouver, where they were headlining The Biltmore Cabaret for the final stop of their world tour.
When I got there, 1080p affiliate NAP was playing a live set of remarkably hard techno. He performed well, but it was intense—not just for 8:30 PM but also considering who he was opening for. Between-set music was provided by DJ D.DEE, owner of Pacific Rhythm and a selector known for his taste in flamboyant house jams and disco numbers. D.DEE was, again, an odd match for Kiasmos, but he did his best to pick some agreeable records that mostly just soundtracked concertgoers refilling their drinks.
With little fanfare, Kiasmos launched right into their particular brand of dance music— imagine Sigur Rós gone techno and you're not far off. The set had some great moments and a few very enjoyable peaks, but overall it didn't feel like much more than a perfunctory run-through of their material. The band's melodic approach could have used some tension to keep it percolating for all 90 minutes, and together Rasmussen and Arnalds didn't have much of a stage presence aside from bobbing behind their machines.
That wouldn't have been an issue had the duo not been booked at a rock venue where everyone was forced to stare at the stage. Part of what makes Erased Tapes artists interesting is the way they mix traditional live performance with electronic music tropes. When he performs solo, Ólafur Arnalds is a fine example of this himself, filling the gaps of his performances with witty banter and explanations of his material. But Kiasmos felt a little more one-dimensional than that, which would be fine for a dance party—but this, from the venue to the crowd, wasn't a dance party. The duo did their best with the situation, and the near sold-out crowd seemed to enjoy it, but the Kiasmos live experience might need a little fine-tuning before they become the flagship act they have the potential to be.
Photo credit: Aaron Friesen