If By Yes Live at Elysium SXSW

If By Yes performed as part of the same event The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger did at Elysium. This is a supergroup of epic proportions. All on stage at once were: Petra Haden on vocals, Yuka Honda (of Cibo Matto) on keyboards, Yuko Araki on drums, Shimmy Shimizu (of Cornelius) on guitar, Nels Cline (of Wilco) on guitar, Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle/Fantomas/Madlove) on bass, Michael Leonhart on trumpet and Courtney Kaiser on backing vocals. All of these multi-talented individuals created a stunning backdrop for Petra Haden’s impressive vocal range. Much like some of Cibo Matto’s material in the 90s, the music was a breezy and colorful take on pop music. All kinds of lush nuances were used to make a gorgeous piece of sonic tapestry, from Cline’s efficient lead fills, Dunn’s jazz-infused basslines and Honda’s light keyboard stabs. Here’s to hoping that this was not a one-off project and this exact lineup becomes the band’s tour roster.