Dustin Wong: The Loop Wizard. - Oh My Rockness

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Dustin Wong: The Loop Wizard.

January 29, 2012
Dustin Wong was a member of Ponytail. Ponytail was a good band from Baltimore that's unfortunately no longer. Bust. But fortunately, the stuff Wong has been doing "solo style" is ridiculously good.

Using lots and lots and LOTS of guitar loops, Wong is a one man wizard that makes transcendent instrumental magic all by his lonesome from a mostly empty stage. These jams immediately call to mind the great Battles (or Battles precursor; “American Don” era Don Caballero), but perhaps Wong's songs are even more melodic since they often skip the abrasive stage and just go straight for the prettiness.

I'm aware that "epic" is an overused term, but overused terms have always done me right so I'll say these songs are certainly EPIC. They slowly build using layers upon layers of repetition as the foundation, before breaking free to soar and glide majestically over amber waves of... well, you know the rest.

Dustin Wong's second LP is out soon on Thrill Jockey. It's going to be good. And see him do his thing live for sure. Is this just a whole lot of guitar loops? Or is it magic? There's only one way to find out.



Dustin Wong plays with Beach House, at the Wiltern, on Tuesday, September 25th, and Wednesday, September 26th.

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