Formed in 2016, Crumb is a Brooklyn and LA-based band that has become very popular in Texas and Latin America. Consisting of musicians Lila Ramani (guitar, vocals), Jesse Brotter (bass, vocals), Bri Aronow (synthesizers, keyboard, saxophone), and Jonathan Gilad (drums), all four members met while attending Tufts University.
With the release of two new singles in the past month, “Crushxd,” and “Dust Bunny,” a new album is potentially on the horizon. Crumb has continued to grow with their unparalleled neo-psychedelic sound, and it is exciting to see what they’ll come up with next. For now, Crumb has maintained a consistent touring schedule, playing live shows in multiple territories at least a few times a year. This is their third US tour, and Dallas, similar to other Texas cities, was a sold out show. Playing at the historic Granada Theater, Crumb used this unique venue to exemplify their eclectic sound.
Despite being independent their entire career as a band, Crumb does not shy away from putting maximum effort into all aspects of their performances. Ever since the 2021 Ice Melt Tour, Crumb has traveled with custom-made stage pieces: mechanical steel flowers that “bloom” during their sets, and geometric-shaped housing for Bri Aronow’s keyboard, Lila Ramani’s sp404sx, and Jonathan Gilad’s drum set.
Transitions in between songs were perfect, and Crumb’s stage presence, just like their steel flowers, has bloomed over the past few years. With vibrant personalities and tastefully colorful set lighting, they are always a pleasure to watch. Crumb has a great understanding of how to match any crowd’s mood during their performances; Ramani was especially upbeat and lively, and engaged with fans during the show. Brotter played each intricate bassline with fervor and ease. This tour’s setlist prioritized songs that weren’t played in previous shows, such as “Retreat!” and “Cracking.” In addition, Crumb played “Dust Bunny,” a new single, live for the first time on this day. Of course, older songs from their 2017 EPs, such as “Locket,” were performed as an encore.
Sonically, it is clear that Ramani has been taking voice lessons in her off-time. Her falsetto is stronger, and she is able to hold whole notes without the need for a vocal delay pedal. Furthermore, her newly-acquired mannerisms during singing reflect that of a seasoned, experienced vocalist. Ramani puts her hands on her upper torso to ensure she is not using “head voice” while in her upper range, and she cups her hands behind her ears to enhance her hearing while wearing in-ears.
When thinking of Crumb’s development as a band, the first thing that comes to mind is “you reap what you sow.” All four members have worked tirelessly to improve their instrumentation, musicality, stage presence, and release schedule over the span of their careers. Their excellent performances are an obvious reflection of their efforts, which is again why they are such a pleasure to watch every single time.
