“I also thought deeply on my own experiences with
psychedelic drugs, as well as friends’ experiences. I began writing as if I was
the drug, seducing my next victim.” Syd tha Kid describing the writing of the
song “Cocaine”.
Est.1987
headed down to The Cockpit to see what else lay behind The Internet’s songs,
spawned from the Odd Future collective, the collective that
everyone has an opinion on.
“Cocaine” was taken from The Internet’s album “Purple Naked
Ladies” which was greeted with mixed reviews. No matter what The Internet
released, the very fact that the “OFWGKTA” name was anywhere near it meant
people were going to be interested. However, tonight is less about associating
the band with the Odd Future name and more to do with exploring The Internet as
a stand alone band transferring their songs from record to the live arena.
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| The Internet's Syd tha Kid |
Syd tha Kyd maintains a relatively low profile within the
gregarious collective, working in a DJ and producer role. Take Syd, add Matt
Martian (also of Odd Future) plus a bassist, drummer and keyboard player and
you have created the band that we see on stage. The Internet take to the stage
in a modest unassuming manner, putting aside the presumed hype which surrounds
them. The crowd on the other hand are oozing for the set to begin; outcries
idolising Syd have already commenced. Syd who stands as one of the few openly
gay women in hip-hop, has a captivating presence on stage. The soft spoken
androgynous front-woman boldly guides The Internet into the set opening with
“They Say” followed by the catchy “She Dgaf”. By the third song Syd is warmed
up and more relaxed than ever, leaving her Vans sneakers behind and moving
effortlessly to the beat in her socks.
The Internet’s songs aren’t songs for the sake of songs, nor
are they purposely trying to be
controversial; the complex rhythms which the band produces are narrative
infused. Stories of love and love lost feature prominently; the band even debut
a new love song, where lyrics are yet to be penned. With a more upbeat electronic
vibe the new song which the band jams out to is one for the next record. Hit
song “Cocaine” instantly resonates with the crowd as they mouth each lyric back
at Syd.
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| Matt Martian on stage in Leeds |
There is something laid back about The Internet’s on stage presence.
They also seem to breathe new life into the songs from the record, which is
perverse in the respect that many of the tracks feature vocals from other
artists which are lost here tonight. Syd’s warming vocal tones ease through the
infectious “Web of Me”; its smoother beginnings make way for a building
percussion, before teasing the crowd with a breakdown and vocal freestyle. The
Internet’s songs pull you in, lulling the audience before falling back, a beat
deliberately missed. Matt Martian controls the sound from behind his laptop and
strong percussion is offset against lighter melodies, Syd all the time moving
to the beat, almost lost in the sound. “Live It Up”, produced by Tyler The
Creator and one of Syd’s favourite tracks, she admits, is incredibly infectious
and undoubtedly the stand out song of the evening. Its rise and fall, wit and
lyricism, combined with jazz and funk influenced sounds (typical of The
Internet) adds testament to how good they are live; the crowd unanimously agree,
showering the band with praise both throughout the set and more so afterwards. The Internet are intriguing, and the fact that their album
was met with mixed reviews certainly does not matter here tonight in Leeds . Their live show rejuvenates the mellowness of the
record and allows the songs life and engagement.
