White Magic

White Magic's moniker — and the sometimes arcane sensibilities of its frontwoman, Mira Billotte — spurred tastemakers to use the words "spiritual" and "ethereal" when describing the act's brand of freak-folk. The trouble was, her caterwauling alto and thick piano melodies often made the group's output more earth-clump tangible than otherworldly wispy.

The four-song EP Dark Stars finds the Brooklyn act working to further dispel lazy pigeonholing. Piano parts break off and pile up in clunky heaps. The drumming is mixed low beneath flakes of guitar, and Billotte alternates between dark-haired Disney villainess and pull-my-cord Debbie Harry doll. Over the circular piano playing and folksy guitars of "Very Late," she repeats, "You better take me home" — though there's more snarl than seduction in her words. "Poor Harold" is a mix of carousel percussion, Stygian narrative, and mirthful lupine howling, which somehow works together.

Details

White Magic performs on Friday, Nov. 23, at the Hemlock at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $12; call 923-0923 or visit www.hemlocktavern.com for more info.

Related Content

• Fleet Foxes' New Video, Plus Robin Peckinold on the Questions of Adulthood and Touring with Joanna Newsom
  November 23, 2011
• This Is Post-Rock
  May 25, 2011
• Saturday Night: White Magic's Mira Billotte, Dominique Leone, Ava Mendoza, and More Bring the Weird to Oakland
  March 14, 2011
• Early Summer Movie Guide: What to See, When to See It
  May 18, 2011
• Björk's Biophilia: A First Listen
  October 6, 2011

More About

• Mira Billotte
• Brooklyn
• Debbie Harry
• Joanna Newsom
• Fairport Convention

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

White Magic's songs don't always coalesce, particularly when the music turns maddeningly prolix in style and arrangement. "Shine on Heaven" is an infinity of moody piano and recurring lyrics, the occasional hook revealing itself for an instant before quickly receding. The band occupies a crawlspace in the rickety folk hall of artists like Joanna Newsom and Fairport Convention, but such erratic layouts prevent White Magic from hitting its creative ceiling.