Gig: Mount Kimbie
When a new band breaks onto the scene and gains instant support the first thing everybody wants to know is what do they sound like…what genre are they? Its part of the logocentric nature of man, we want to be able to point to one single thing and categorise a host of subjects, it’s basic laziness. Its hip-hop, rock and roll, grunge, electro, techno, house, etc. With this one word we try to sum up an entire sound and numerous artists.
What then do we do when an act like Mont Kimbie comes along? Widely regarded as Dubstep this London duo mixes all sorts of ‘genres’ to create a sound all of their own. Dubstep may be the umbrella they have been cast under but last night’s showing in Galway’s Roisin Dubh was more Flylo than Jakwob, more Onra than Benga. Dominic Maker and Kai Campos varied loops and samples with dreamy synths and rocky instrumentation.
A respectable crowd was present to witness the unclassifiable but undeniably brilliant performance from Mount Kimbie. While aspects of their live show bared resemblance to minimal dubstep, in a manner not dissimilar to Skream, most of the set was dominated by beats resembling the fashionable glitch-hop sound made popular thanks to performers like Nosaj Thing. It was refreshing to see the Londoners emerge from behind their laptops and samplers to pick up a guitar and drum sticks and prove that modern electronic artists are not afraid to make music the traditional way.
LastFm offers several ‘genres’ which could all lossely be applied to Mount Kimbie’s sound but instead of playing the genres game, this time why don’t we just listen to the music and decide if we like it. After last nights memorable performance I have to say I love their blend of electo/electromental/ambient/downtempo/chillout/electronica/techno/garage/glitch hop/folktronica/shoegaze…..oh ya and dubstep.
Gypsies with Knives 
Nice one!