Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
St. Vincent @ The Echo, 08/04/07

Last Saturday evening, the overwhelmingly beautiful, Audrey Hepburn-esque Annie Clark, a.k.a St. Vincent, performed a stellar set of songs from her latest Beggars Banquet release Marry Me. I've watched her play solo via the internet before, but her independent renditions just don't do her record justice. For the first time, Clark nearly duplicated the orchestral vibe strewn throughout her debut album, incorporating sampling and the backing of a three-piece band.
I'm beginning to believe that no single girl can out perform Clark on the guitar. She slays! As a backing musician for Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens, Clark has honed incredible musicianship that is even more apparent live than on recording. The effortless, graceful execution of rhythmically complex songs like "Now, Now" and "Your Lips Are Red" proved that she is ready for bigger things.
The seemingly older crowd demonstrated a profound respect for Clark. One man even hopped up on stage in order to rectify a mic-stand gone wrong. There seemed to be a resounding connection between performer and audience, a union solely derived from staggering music. The juxtaposition of pristine pop melodies and spasmodic fits of technical guitar lines is what makes her songs so eerily intriguing. Need I mention again that she's gorgeous?
Other highlights included: Clark comically divulging "We're all going to hell", a freudian slip of sorts, in the middle of "Jesus Saves, I Spend", the use of a prosthetic arm device that emitted beats, lots of melodica, and mind-numbing renditions of "Now, Now", "Paris Is Burning" and "All My Stars Aligned".
Clark just landed the opening slots for The National dates in Southern California, but she'll be performing solo. I promise, she's just as enthralling. Catch her at the Wiltern on September 28th.
Pictures:







As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?