For anyone to land a record deal before ever playing a live show is pretty impressive in today’s music world. And that’s exactly what Mike Hadreas from Seattle did. He started a MySpace page to introduce his music to the world, and within no time at all, boom, he was a signed artist on Matador Records with buzzworthy songs that resonated with listeners–emotional songs about his difficult childhood and being gay, while spinning that with a sense of razzle-dazzle and lipstick.

He lived in Brooklyn for a while–a time of life that ended up being more self-destructive than it was positive  or creative. So Hadreas moved back west, turned the bad to good, and used music as a means of not just expression but also therapy, as well. This is when his first song “Learning” came into play (which is also the name of his debut album), as he sings “No one will answer your prayers until you take off that dress. No one will hear all your crying until you take your last breath. But you will learn to mind me. And you will learn to survive me.” His music is emotional. His voice is angelic and pure.

Learning was released in 2010, followed by Put Yr Back N 2 It just two years later. Both albums are extremely personal–the first being a bit more music box piano-based, while the second explores a much richer sound that’s dramatic and solid, especially on tracks like “No Tear” and “Take Me Home.” Too Bright is Perfume Genius’s third album (produced by Adrian Utley of Portishead), and is for sure his most powerful and inspiring release yet. 

*(For every ticket purchased for this show, $1 will go to the ACLU.)

Brooklyn Steel

5/16

w/ serpentwithfeet

8 p.m.

$23