North Texas Daily

Alex Byrd

Staff Writer

@AlexByrdNTDaily

Antiquated, low-lit lamps and deliberately eerie static televisions surrounded the stage. A red light casted over everyone and then, it begins.

Jen Seman immediately starts beating her single drum in a powerful and tribal fashion as she did spoken word. Michael Seman’s back is turned to the audience while playing guitar and Michael Forbes is delightfully playing the saxophone. The scene is very overwhelmingly passionate.

Shiny Around the Edges played during the Gutterth Records Showcase at Banter Friday night of 35 Denton , but it looked as if the audience was peering into a home jam session instead of a performance. Jen, Michael, and Forbes were intensely focused on their art. Weight was lifted off their shoulders once each song came to an end because they all noticeably started breathing again. It is very apparent that these three perform to express an art form over seeking superstardom.

Their recorded music sounds better, but their live performance was filled with energy through the veins in their fingers to their toes. Succinct artistry.

Think of Shiny Around the Edges as The White Stripes plus one, without the occasional pretentiousness and red and white uniform.

Michael plans to speak on the day panel, “Denton: A City, a College, and a Creative Class” today, March 9th at 5 p.m. at the Oak Street Draft House. According to the band, Jen may make a cameo appearance with another band during the festival. Keep your eyes peeled.

Shiny Around the Edges plays 35Denton at Banter 11:30 p.m. Friday. Photo by Adriana Rodriguez/Intern