Callings out of Context: Junglepussy & Dan Deacon @ Teragram Ballroom
The Broad’s Callings Out Of Context brings together innovative artists together for a spectacle that celebrates the show itself as much as the act. Much more than a standard show, Callings focuses on rearranging the typical formula by making self-exploration and realization just as integral as the music. Thus, it made sense to pair two artists who celebrate the power of self-confidence, albeit through completely different mediums.
Née Shayna McHayle, Junglepussy opened the show, walking, or rather, proudly straddling, the line between funny and ferocious. “I’m too tropical for America,” McHayle admitted (“but you guys got palm trees though…” she added), jokingly implying how the concept of a sexually free, woman of color like Junglepussy is viewed in conventional culture. But McHayle artfully rallies against the box society’s confined to her, declaring war upon convention in self-love anthems like “Me”: “What’s a girl to do when the world’s against you? Throw it in they face, let them know that you meant to.”
Part of the allure of Junglepussy comes from watching her mangle shit instead of making nice, all while smirking & wining like a girl who loves herself. “The F stands for fiiiiiiiine mothaf*cka” she informed us from the opening of “Spicy 103 FM,” and I never doubted her a second after.
Following some rough-housing from Junglepussy came the playground antics of electronic composer, Dan Deacon. “I wanna take a ride” he announced during “Learning To Relax,” unleashing a cascade of voices, synths and beats upon the crowd. Deacon’s music evoked the expressiveness of youth while still maintaining a master’s level of precision, creating a dichotomy that made the most sense when you’re on the receiving end of it.
Aside from being a musical maestro, Deacon also demonstrated adept crowd control, guiding the audience into dance sequences and probably the smoothest crowd surfs I’ve ever witnessed. “I make the rules and enforce them” Deacon said, though his command never felt overbearing; the “rules” instead presented different ways to engage in the music. With the fervor of a marching band director, Deacon guided the audience through a combination of his own leadership and his own faith in our ability to engage with his music. In doing so, Deacon does introduce a new type of concert, but rather than take you to this place, he invites you to visit instead.