The Album Leaf, Sea Wolf: Concert Review and Photos

Pearl Harbor may have kicked off Valentine’s Day weekend with their show at Space 15 Twenty, but couples around Los Angeles seemed to attend the The Album Leaf and Sea Wolf show at the El Rey Theatre to continue the relaxing Hallmark holiday. With one of Dangerbird Records’ most charming folf rock artists and one of Sub Pop’s most ethereal one man act expanded into 11 members on stage that night, concert goers got much more bang for their buck.

Sea Wolf, aka Alex Brown Church, opened the night up with his soft crooning, but hard hitting rock tunes that echoed tremendously beautiful throughout the venue. There is always something about seeing a Los Angeles native take stage in any of our bigger venues – mainly because of the stage lighting and the fancy decor (a major upgrade from dive venues and bars) but the sets they produce in these majestic places always seem to give off more warmth in sound and glow in appearances. Sea Wolf’s set was nothing less than gorgeous as he performed older songs as well as material off his is latest album, White Water, White Bloom. A major bonus was his cellist who did a stellar job on at least 3/4 of the songs in that set.

The string theme for the night continued with The Album Leaf. Not only did he incorporate his live band into the songwriting for his latest album, A Chorus of Storytellers, but he had invited the Magik*Magik String Quartet on stage with him that night. Originally a one man show, his live band grew to seven members – the quartet making it a total of 11 musicians on stage. It was quite the sight to see from the audience.

There were so many bodies on stage but barely any lighting. Although a bit tougher on photographers, the slender lights they attached to their set up were a nice touch.  With the massaging beats and harmonies steadily flowing out into the audience and images projected onto the screen behind the band, there was a surreal atmosphere. What we they offered in light was dim enough to make the performance feel intimate but bright enough to show off the musicians’ skills. From beginning to end, each song was mind-numbingly stunning.

Check out our photos from the show below!

Photography by Carl Pocket