Song Spotlight: Alex E.T.'s Calico II (a night at The Goldfish)

I have this habit of heading out on a Sunday night to catch live music. I feel it is a good way to start off the week before the drudgery of a work week. So it was on a recent night out to the The Goldfish venue that was the host of an In Sonic Dreams showcase. Opening up the night was Alex E.T. (the moniker for Alexandra Elaine Tapié -- is she a fan of the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?). I was familiar with her as she's played a couple showcases over the years (Swyndle and Buzzbands) that I follow, but I personally never had a chance to catch a set. 

Alex E.T. at The Goldfish

I should have made more of an effort to catch a set at those prior showcases, because the set put me in a good mood to start off the drudgery of another work week. From the start, the music was played with a heavy beat that continued throughout. It was body shaking experience and tossed me back to 2017 when I came across Bone Acre. The sound of Alex E.T. and Bone Acre have a Venn diagram connection, but for me the feelings in catching the two for the first time were similar. 

Alex E.T. at The Goldfish

In September, she released her sophomore album Color Of Strange that she is promoted via a series of club shows from Los Angeles to Venice to Long Beach. It all culminates on Nov 17th at Club Tee Gee for the official album release party. If you want a sneak peak to some of the songs off the album release, you can check out her Sunday set (Oct 12th) at Zebulon. 

One thing I noticed from the set is that none of the songs were formally introduced except for the song "1000 Eyes." It doesn't appear that this song has been released. I always wonder when something like this occurs if there is a special connection to the song or if it was just a random line inserted into the set.

Alex E.T. at The Goldfish

The song spotlight goes to "Calico II." Via Youtube, there is this description provided, "Reverb-soaked vocals and richly textured guitars weave into a heavy, jangly psych groove that echoes West Coast ’60s mysticism." The song clocks in at 7 minutes 39 seconds and represents the magnum opus of the album. 

Is the song an optimistic or pessimistic look into the future? 

Alex E.T. at The Goldfish

Pessimistic take on life? 

If I knew what death might replace
I’d surrender my future for peace

. . . . 

Optimistic take on life?

And shoot the stars

Say goodbye to all our shadows

Setlist: Let You Live, Beast, If I Could Only, Summer For Now, Calico II, 1000 Eyes, Little Wars.