The Culture City Live Review

Kristen Hersh
"Paradoxical Undressing"
Detroit Film Theater
Inside the Detroit Institute of Arts[D.I.A.]
June 6, 2008

The Motto of the DIA since the total reopening of the remodel D.I.A. back in October was "Let yourself go", and that what i saw last Friday night in midtown Detroit where the Detroit Festival of the arts just got started and i got there to see for the very first time the legion singer/song wirer of one of the 90 best band "Throwing Muses" the one and only Kristen Hersh.

But, this was not your Regular gig by miss Hersh, and this was not you run of the mill gig[which was part of the Detroit Festival of the arts], i was a living moving sound art, live gig and spoken word event att quiet roll in to one beautifully show with just her, her guitar, her amp a readign stand and the stage.

she did two show and when i came in it was dark as she was reading story from her upcoming memoir called "Paradoxical Undressing" as she read her story she play a really good guitar at the same time as there was beautiful back drop af art work by Molly Cliff Hilts which was lovely that fit the performance with colorful landscaped.

the range of subject she read that included mental illness, teenage pregnancy and the wear and tare of the Boston music scene in the late 80's and early 90's, i fave highlights were her story of 4AD as Ivo Watts-Russell was trying to reach the band to become the 1st America band to be on 4AD and also she told the funny story of her flying after a bad Crash as she fly before meeting the pavement.

in between story the lights dim so Kristen rip up a lot of "Throwing Muses" songs and it was really good to hear with her gritty voals we all know a love and long time fans really hook on to.

overall this was a really great show, nothing special it was a south born and New England Raised old school indie rockers telling story under a beautiful sonic backdrop and great vibe all around.