Dispatch from Culture Collide: Black Lips, Kordan and Harry’s Gym

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[Buzz Bands contributor David McKay sampled some of the wares at the first night of the Culture Collide festival — more coverage coming soon on a blog near you:]

Who: Black Lips
In three or fewer words: Keep keeping on …
What’s the big deal? “Next time we come, we’re going to have a new record to play, instead of all this old shit you’ve heard over and over,” quipped guitarist Cole Alexander about two songs in. It really didn’t matter. A packed house at Echoplex greeted every song of a gloriously shambolic set from Atlanta’s finest with as much energy as was emanating from the stage. A fitting manner in which to cap Night 1 the festival.

Who: Harry’s Gym
In three or fewer words: Sultry Scandanavian pop
What’s the big deal? This Norwegian snyth-pop quartet charmed a large early crowd at the Echo just as they have audiences throughout Europe since the release of an acclaimed eponymous debut LP in 2008. Led by singer/guitarist Anne Lise Frokedal, the band elegantly flits between spacious, dreamy pop and muscular, psychedelic rock with hooks abounding. Catch them tonight at Taix before they depart for the frostier climes of Northern Europe.

Who: Kordan
In three or fewer words: Ethereal electro soundscapes.
What’s the big deal? On record, this Brooklyn by-way-of Puerto Rico three-piece trades in lush, shimmering pop that impressed Cut Copy enough to invite them on tour in 2008. Although they had a hard time engaging the audience at the Echo last night, this trio has garnered enough buzz to ensure good times ahead, with a debut LP out next week (Oct. 12) on Last Bummer Records.