I first heard Maribou State at a hairdresser I no longer go to. This was when I was still finding a hair dresser so I went around different salons and tried them out. But now I have settled on a a hairdresser who actually knows how to cut flattering haircuts for Asians CAUSE SHE IS ASIAN. Lol. I have tried Aussie, English and this Viet guy in the past but no one knows better than an asian female (she’s Korean). Anyway, this is not about hair cuts lol. I shazamed the song that was playing at the salon and I was hooked - that song was Midas.
Maribou State has been that band for me that feels like it’s just a me thing. I don’t know of anyone else who has heard of them. Maybe they are a bit niche? But it’s the perfect type of electronica that I like - downtempo, luscious soundscapes with pulsating beats. Anyway, given that it’s just me within my circles that seems to know them and actually really enjoy their music, I bought a ticket to their show and yeh, I went alone.
I was really sad yesterday and I just allowed myself to be sad. And that was why I was plastering all different song lyrics onto my blog. Cause I just wanted to be sad. It helped - well, actually just wallowing in it for a while and then, I no longer really felt the pangs of sadness anymore. I woke up pretty neutral and well, I was pretty chill in my state of being. I felt better.
I was excited for the show too as I saw some people’s posts online and it looked really good. I was looking forward to just hearing the luscious guitars and beats.
Maribou State isn’t my first time going to a concert alone. I’ve been to a few alone. I used to want to go with a companion but you know what, trying to gather someone to go with you is a lot of work. These days I just look at the artist and I just buy a ticket and go by myself. I used to mind it to be very honest - I’m only human. But for Maribou State I actually was very much looking forward to going alone. Cause I was going to do whatever I felt like doing and enjoy myself.
I got home from work. Cuddled Elliot and took him for a quick walk. I also sat with him and took some pics with him on my iPad. Cause we cute like that.
Then I drove to IKEA to have dinner. I was so excited for dinner because I really love IKEA meatballs. It’s only my favourite meal there. Anyway, I ordered 16 meatballs and the guy actually exclaimed his shock at me ordering 16 meatballs. I told him I was hungry and I was. I didn’t have a huge lunch lol, so I needed the food. I added a piece of garlic bread too, which was REALLY CRUNCHY AND SO GOOD. It was actually perfect. And then I got a glass for elderflower soda. Got to the checkout and I think the checkout lady forgot to add my other items. She actually seemed very unfazed, like she didn’t care. Welp, I just let it be.
I demolished that plate of food. And I took a picture of it and sent it to my Swedish friend and told him ‘I LOVE SWEDEN!’, cause bloody hell, what an epic plate of food. I literally was chowing it down and I just felt so happy. It also helps that the IKEA is right next to the airport and near the city, so you get these really beautiful views as you sit in the restaurant. I did a little walk around the showrooms - IKEA showrooms are my favourite, cause you kinda can play pretend and imagine what life would be if you had a house like so. I had a bit of a bounce in my step cause I was super pleased with my meal.
I drove to Enmore after that. That’s another thing I do these days, I drive to concert venues and if they are not super convenient for parking, I park at a train station that’s near the venue then catch a train (OLYMPIC PARK). I found a park on a side street and walked around Enmore for a bit. I was going to get an ice cream but then my IBS was like maybe not. So I didn’t.
I went in the venue at the time when it was nearing their set time, sat down for a bit and just chilled out. Maribou State came on stage and oh my gosh, they were amazing. They are a band where their live sets have so much more depth than their actual recordings. I love that they up the ante on the bass and use a lot of drums to carry the beats. It’s so primal and energetic, truly amazing to hear their music live. I closed my eyes at some parts of their songs just to feel the music more intensely - this is music that I truly LOVE. It’s electronic music that is downtempo, chill and just relaxing in a way that’s not traditionally relaxing. I don’t know, I always associate Maribou State’s music with some cool ass bar in New York and hidden underground. Maribou State played live with pianos, drums, guitars and electronic tabs. I then figured out why I love their music so much. I grew up loving indie rock, particularly Interpol because I love their sparse guitars. Maribou State takes those sparse guitar sounds and blends them into electronica and downtempo beats, which feels like an iteration on chill club music. There were some music transitions that just blew my mind away - like how they incorporate club beats so you could feel the build up and then there were those incredibly satisfying drops that then reach another crescendo. AMAZING. I loved it.
I was down the back so I could leave pretty easily at the end. Then I drove home - there were no cars on the road which was great. And then I came home to cuddle Elliot again.
I had so much fun by myself at Maribou State. It was so awesome and 10/10 would have to see them again when they come next.
