Hibou hosts album release party with Beverly Crusher, Sleeping Lessons

Hibou performs at Chop Suey during the release party for their new album, Halve. // Photo by Madeline Couture

On Wednesday night, Chop Suey filled up early for indie-pop project Hibou’s album release party for Halve. The crowd was made up of your typical 20-something showgoers, plus a number of family members and friends of the performing acts that added a cozy sense of community to the throng. Several band members gave shoutouts to parents and grandparents in the audience. It was heartwarming to watch the band members move through the crowds before and after their sets, hanging with friends and relatives and smiling graciously at fans that came up to express their appreciation.

Three-piece band Beverly Crusher was the first performance of the evening, commanding the room with an easy confidence and infectious energy. The group picked excitedly at their instruments and chatted with the crowd before their set. Beverly Crusher has a big, classic rock sound that fits perfectly into a venue like Chop Suey.

Lead singer Cozell Wilson’s distinctive voice rang through the room, gruff but frequently hitting clear notes that made me sit up straight and listen closely. Wilson, bassist Max Stiles, and drummer Sam Stiles, have undeniable chemistry. Sam mouthed lyrics enthusiastically throughout the set, and Max and Wilson often turned to look at each other, feeding off the other’s energy. At the end of the set, they all met to touch crystals that they had been wearing around their necks in a genuine, cute, and slightly uncoordinated moment.

The second opener was dream-pop band Sleeping Lessons, comprised of frontman Charlie Deane, drummer Dan Moretti, guitarist Paul Kowalczyk, and bassist Terence Bonsey. Three band members entered the stage, searching for the fourth in the audience. Though their set started a little rocky, once they found their groove and their last bandmate, the band let loose with energetic riffs and powerful vocals. The sound of bass projected to the back of the room, rattling in my chest. The members of Sleeping Lessons didn’t interact with each other as much as Beverly Crusher, but a sense of fraternity still united the group, and there was an easy cohesion between the four musicians.

While most everyone hanging around the back of the venue moved toward the front as Hibou, the headliner, took the stage, the energy stayed pleasantly moderate, perhaps in anticipation of Hibou’s chiller, bedroom-pop sound. Frontman Peter Michel took the stage with guitarist Kurt Roy, bassist Heather Dickson, and drummer Jase Mitchell.

Founded when Michel was just a teenager, Hibou’s sound has changed and grown tremendously since their debut, self-titled album in 2015. Since he began writing, Michel has drawn inspiration from his coming of age in Seattle, and so Hibou’s delicate melodies — many inspired by Seattle summer atmospheres — felt unusually tailored to the local crowd gathered on a warm July evening.

Though their set largely featured tracks from their new album, Hibou played a few from earlier years, underlining how significantly their work has changed. Though his general method seems to have remained largely the same, Michel’s music has grown in complexity as his style has evolved.

Unfortunately, the more raucous mood of Chop Suey proved difficult to break through. Elements of Hibou’s sound, such as the precision of Michel’s shoegaze melodies, focused more on individual reflection than outward projection, felt somewhat adrift in this show. Fluttery, ambient tracks like “Clarity” (from Halve) and “Junipero Love” (from 2018’s Something Familiar), which in an uncompetitive environment showcase Hibou’s intricate artistry, felt less impactful in this more difficult to control space.

While Dickson kept up the energy of the band, bobbing to the music as she played and sang, the other members were more reserved. Michel’s focus on the mechanics of the music, which produce satisfying, layered tracks in a recording studio, perhaps kept the sound’s radius constrained. I often had trouble hearing him clearly above the din of the room. Hibou’s dreamy melodies are excellent and ethereal when the grip on them is relaxed, though, and I look forward to seeing a live show where they are able to be projected across the venue.

Beverly Crusher opens the Hibou album release party at Chop Suey. From left to right, drummer Sam Stiles, guitarist and lead singer Cozell Wilson, and bassist Max Stiles. // Photo story by Madeline Couture

Beverly Crusher is a rock 'n' roll trio based out of Seattle, WA.

Stiles pounds away at a low bass line, bumping through the subwoofers.

Stiles keeps a steady backbeat on the drums while Wilson rips another guitar solo.

Sweat drips down Stiles's face as he hits some high notes on the bass.

Beverly Crusher's set contained back to back songs filled with high energy, frequent guitar solos, and sweet riffs.

The lights go low as Beverly Crusher plays their last song.

With album names like Pills Pills Pills and Cheeseburger Liquor Party, Beverly Crusher is a nonstop ride.

Beverly Crusher ends their set.

Sleeping Lessons starts the middle set. From left to right, guitarist Paul Kowalczyk, lead singer guitarist Charlie Deane, drummer Dan Moretti, and bassist Terence Bonsey.