In Review: Ginger Root at Lincoln Hall
Photo by Cameron Lew
There is something to be said about a band that can put on a show as interactive and playful as Ginger Root. Before the moment the band even stepped foot onto the stage, I was first introduced to the grainy homemade newscast which occupied the audience while the three members slid into position. One behind the keys, another with his bass and the third behind a drum kit. Not to mention, a live videographer who spent the entire set on stage, moving back and forth between musicians, capturing them live. The 1980s-esque video was projected above the stage as well as from the two small retro box televisions on either side. Between every few songs, these short videos would play throughout Ginger Root’s set, either in Japanese or English and some even featured the band themselves. It was as if they were walking us through a story or a movie, with commercial breaks and all.
The show really started when lead man Cameron Lew kicked off the set using a red handheld telephone as a microphone, creating the subtle muffled sound you might recognize from tracks like Over the Hill and Loneliness, both from the band’s latest EP, Nisemono. I was especially taken aback when Lew whipped out his melodica during multiple songs throughout the set. Not only does Lew have masterful control over the keys, synth and melodica, but I was also very impressed with his vocals. He managed to constantly switch between his telephone and microphone and sang almost all of his own backup vocals and harmonies himself on a loop pedal. He also had a surprisingly high amount of energy in his stage presence and voice without being able to leave the keyboard. Lew could transition from a smooth falsetto to a mid-range sort of growl while simultaneously playing somewhat complex melodies with his hands without even breaking a sweat (as far as I could tell).
If I were to recommend Ginger Root to a friend (and I would), a good place to start is with Weather, a single from 2019. The bassline on this song is almost addictive, especially after hearing it live. Seriously, I have had it on repeat ever since the show. Next, I would visit their 2021 EP, City Slicker. In particular, Juban District is one of my favorites. The track is a really good representation of the band’s general sound because it has such a memorable groove. Like most of their songs, it is incredibly easy to find yourself dancing or swaying without even noticing. Ginger Root is able to combine highly catchy and upbeat melodies with more advanced synthesizer, harmonies and licks that make their sound effortlessly approachable. However, if you are interested in checking out a bit of a deep cut, Thx might be a good listen. From 2017’s album Spotlight People, Thx is the final of nine songs. Right away you will hear the difference from their style today. There is no synth, instead replaced with electric piano and organs, and a much clearer soulful feel. I especially liked the electric guitar solo nearing the end.
Going to a smaller show blindly, without much of a band’s discography under your wing, can be a lot of fun. There isn’t this pressure to make sure you record a video of your favorite song that you will never look back at or to have “the night of your life.” Instead, you can focus on just enjoying the atmosphere and the pleasure of hearing music in its best form, live. This was the case for me at this show and I had an amazing time. Though, I can say without a doubt that this will not be the case for me the next time Ginger Root tours through Chicago, which I hope is soon. Ginger Root, if you’re reading this, you have a new fan.
