Photos by Carmen Kintz // Review by Garon Nemyre
While working at a Dunkin' Donuts after getting kicked out of high school, a co-worker of Asa Taccone’s told him to always remember he was an electric guest of the universe. Years later, the Electric Guest front man has fulfilled that gift-to-life by bringing an unabashed, tour de force to music and performance.
Asa is joined by Matthew “Cornbread” Compton to make up the core of Electric Guest, who is currently touring their new album Kin across the globe. Kin grows in line from their previous albums (Mondo and Plural) showing an evolution in time and self-discovery, but staying true to the sound that delivers the constant, pop-dance energy they’ve trademarked.
Performing at Wonder Ballroom on the eve of Halloween, Asa entered adorned in a complete Chucky costume, laying down the lyrics of “Get Out,” a pop-beat off their latest album. The show was full of known and new tracks from their collection, and an infectious energy curated by the frontman himself. Through tracks like “This Head I Hold” and “Zero,” Electric Guest brought into perspective the journey of self-exploration they’ve taken us on over the past decade, and with new songs like “24-7” and “More,” they gave us a glimpse of what’s more to come. If anyone left disappointed, there’s likely some self-psych work in need, as the set top-to-bottom brought the venue to life, and the personal interaction (from the Chucky costume to Asa reading a dialogue via text from his mom) was a beautiful refreshment in a time of growing distance and illusion.
Electric Guest is on tour across the world through February 2020. Check here for upcoming tour dates.