Taiwanese math rock fusion trio Elephant Gym visited Portland in March to perform a sold-out show at Mississippi Studios, an eclectic venue with Western saloon-style décor and deep maroon walls. Opening for Elephant Gym was labelmate standards–more specifically, Marcos Mena, the guitarist from the LA-based two-piece math rock outfit. Mena wowed the crowd with guitar gymnastics, playing personal compositions, standards songs, and covers of Super Mario and Wii theme songs (a crowd favorite).
The glimmery, mathy evening continued as Elephant Gym took the stage. The setlist showcased the band’s versatility. For instance, “Underwater” cleverly employs sound effects to create an immersive soundscape. Also, “Quilt” is warm and laidback, featuring Tell Chang’s vocals instead of Kento Nagatsuka’s, while “Half” is moody and experimental. In combining the rhythmic complexity of math rock with the experimentalism of modern classical and jazz, Elephant Gym marries technical intricacy with emotional expressivity. Joining the band for several songs were flutist Zheng Yu Tai and saxophonist Julien Chou, who added a lush, ethereal quality to the band’s sound. In “Light,” the syncopated video-game-like motif was brought to life with the symphonic textures of the additional wind instruments.
After expressing gratitude for the sold-out evening and the warmth of the crowd, Tell shared, “The Taiwanese people believe in democracy. I’m so grateful to be here holding a guitar instead of a rifle.” It was a sobering reminder of Taiwan’s tenuous geopolitical situation and the importance of never taking peace for granted. Through their global reach, Elephant Gym is able to use their platform to promote peace, prosperity, and allyship.
While Elephant Gym’s music is complex and multilayered, there’s always a spaciousness that allows the songs to breathe and evolve, and part of that effect comes from the band’s ability to work with the silences between notes. In the sparse intro to “Feather,” the rhythmically unpredictable synths and percussion created silences so engulfing that nobody in the crowd dared break it. And even when the pauses between major transitions are over-the-top and obviously a jest, they still work to corral the crowd’s breathless anticipation.
The roles of the instruments are fluid and delightfully complementary. When KT Chang has twisty, improvisatory passages on the bass, Tell supplies glimmery, offbeat pulses that often congeal into lovely melodic statements. When she’s acting as the band’s spokesperson, KT is humorous and lighthearted, never failing to pass up an opportunity to lightly tease her bandmates. As a performer, however, she has a quiet intensity, executing jazzy riffs with the utmost ease and often standing directly in front of drummer Tu Chia-Chin in a combative stance to synchronize her entrances and transitions with Tu. Her voice is airy but resonant and lends a pastel quality to songs like “Feather” and “Witches.” And Tu is nothing short of a wizard on the drumset, as his tastefully meticulous playing helps perfectly lock in the band.
Elephant Gym proves that there’s more to math rock than sheer technical prowess (even though there’s no shortage of that). With their captivating melodies and diverse sonic palette, combined with delightfully disorienting transitions and impeccable teamwork, it’s no wonder the band is able to sell out every show on the North American leg of their tour. Here’s to hoping for a bigger venue on their next go-around!
Click on the photo below to view our photos from the concert:
