Concert Review: Sur Back Goes Medieval In Baby’s All Right

Watching Sur Back’s medieval wear, I thought I was cosplaying. I was ready to grab a sword, elf ears, and speak Eldarin (#lordoftherings). Admittedly, it is always strange to see an artist, especially in “smaller venues” come in a sort of character. Major arenas, at least mentally, are associated with going above and beyond in personas and images. Yet, with a sound that could literally soundtrack every Final Fantasy game, Sur Back is a show in itself.

There is a very haunting quality to Sur Back’s sound. She, literally, makes love feel like a haunted house where you will find dark and benevolent spirits, but nothing avoids that this feeling is supernatural. The seedy beauty of her sound is so enveloping you feel blanked by her performance. There is no more thinking or analyzing; just enjoying the dark synth, cello rhythms, and heavy baselines. Add on her her ethereal voice, and Sur Back’s show is of fantastical distinction.

It is not just the soft, operatic texture of Sur Back’s voice that has you enthralled. It is also that she yodels, yelps, and whimperingly yells lyrics and notes as if she is Alice In Wonderland falling into the looking glass. She seems as if she is, literally, falling into love, but whether her fall is in love’s wishing well or dark hole is up for grabs. The point is that she makes everything feels so mystical, especially because she incorporates violins and strings. Thus, as she dances or sinks unto the floor to seemingly cry her verses, she gives a vibe of elegant tragedy; like a queen mourning her king.

Sur Back’s secret weapon as a performer is that she appeals to my inner nerd. I want to feel like love is a fairytale. Sometimes, I wish I was a Narnian or Medieval character living out a romance adventure. The novel-esque quality of her performance makes her a very different but equally delightful concert experience. For More Information On Sur Back Click Here.