We've been cooing about Deerhunter for a while. Last night, I went to their show at the Showbox at the Market. They were almost as good as expected (one distraction was that the second guitarist behind frontman Bradford Cox, didn't look like he was having a good time at at all, and the gig had the air of a band fight looming). Cox, though, is a dynamite performer, shifting effortlessly between bedside manner banter and emotional crooning backed with blasts of indie rock feedback guitar.

But the standout was actually the opening opening act—Casino versus Japan, AKA solo ambientronic act Eric Kowalski. Kowalski cordially told the audience there wasn't much to watch while he performed—so people should just hang out. Then he proceeded to sit down at his bank of gear and douse the house in glowing ones and zeroes.

And hang out I did, sitting at the bar reading a book, not feeling out of place at all, as the Showbox was turned into a casual outdoor cafe, with Kowalksi's shifting drone providing the sunlight and blue skies.