Sinden
Detroit Bar
5/19/22
Sinden is part of the recent crop of electronic music anomalies that has both versatility and eclecticism on his side. He's collaborated with the masked beat-maven behind SBTRKT (Aaron Jerome) and produced for southern hip-hop group G-Side. His scope extends both deep inside dance music's acid house past and incorporates hip-hop and R&B shaped by soulful eccentrics like Cee-Lo Green. Most importantly, Sinden knows that in order to survive in a world of demanding fans, staunch critics and crowded playing fields, artists must have a the ability to adapt to their surroundings.
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Sinden may be getting plenty of attention in the online realm and overseas, but at Detroit Bar, the crowd didn't seem all that interested. Last night, the partly attentive crowd–all sixteen of them–were more alive before the British-born, LA-based producer's began is set. The event's price tag was even waived by the venue beforehand (ouch). Poor turnout aside, Detroit's sound was on point and the Brit was in top form.
From the beginning of his midnight set, Sinden's sound-sculpting was
fantastic. His repertoire for the night was nothing too ostentatious; instead
he seemed to opt for a more restrained, careful approach. Several tracks were structured on intricate percussion, taking cues from older styles of house and techno. Unlike
dance music set that relies on the synth-work you hear in typical EDM hits like “Le7els,” Sinden laid out a platform for DJing led and constructed
by drum patterns, basslines and those moments where the soft, wispy melodies
fit perfectly into place. By watching him spin last
night, we got the impression he seems less concerned with being an EDM
cash-cow and more into being a technician that can be counted on
for quality and sonic sustenance.
The only thing we could really have fault Sinden for last night in last night's
performance was that his hip-hop chops seemed a bit out of place.
His set had the feel and bounce you would find in any hip-hop producer's repertoire and and his sensibilities as a beat maker were there,
but it would have been nice to hear some of that inner Diplo he has channeled in his most of his sets.
Whether or not Sinden's take on his trade can translate well
to O.C. audiences is something no one can give a definitive answer on
anytime soon, but we're glad that the producer has taken
up residence stateside. Hopefully more performances like
this can help shape southern California's scene and sound.
Critic's Bias: Sinden's work with SBTRKT is good it makes the fact they aren't working on joint album painful. Please, guys, work something out.
The Crowd: Well, unfortunately, there was not much of a crowd. I would say there was about
15-20 people for Sinden.
Random Notebook Dump: I had no clue Detroit Bar had a separate area for pool. I have been there several times and not once did I ever stumble by this. Weird.
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