Karen Ponzio Photos.
Jack Daniel and Brian Ember miming magic.
What do you do when your birthday is on Feb. 29 but it’s not a leap year? Jack Daniel of The Broken Robots threw himself and a raucously receptive crowd a Very Merry Un-Birthday Party at Best Video on Feb. 28 instead, complete with cake, improvised poetic jazz performance art, and the musical stylings of Brian Ember.
Friday was a pretty rough day at the end of a pretty rough week at the end of a pretty rough month, and even this reporter was questioning whether or not she wanted to leave the house. But oh, how glad I am that I did. This was a show I would have been distraught to have missed it in all of its magical musical glory.
A sizable crowd filed in for the first act, New Haven’s own Brian Ember, who was joined by Jennifer Dauphinais on drums and Toby Fatzinger on keys and guitar. Ember decided to “start the banter” while Fatzinger was setting up his keyboard, alerting everyone to how he was dressed: jeans, a hoodie, and wraparound sunglasses with his hair pulled back into a ponytail, noting that it was “cis cosplay” for the evening, much different than his typical onstage garb (which at other events has included, but not been limited to, a sequined kaftan and a silk slip).
“I wanted you to know that no matter how they make you dress, you’re always you inside,” he added, to which the crowd responded with cheers and applause.
He announced that the vibe of the set would be “English French torch songs.” I am going to go one step further and say that Ember’s vibe was the type of music that might be playing on a diner jukebox in a David Lynch film. Audrey Horne may not have been available to sway to the sounds on this evening, but the rest of the crowd was blessed with Ember’s impeccable vocal stylings that showcased lyrics full of pathos, passion, and yes, even humor.
After a rocking version of “Give Me My Heart Back,” he exclaimed, “I can’t take it anymore.” He then proceeded to take off his jeans and sweatshirt to reveal a pair of white lace pants and a sheer black floral shirt, adding a pair of white rimmed sunglasses and letting his hair down both figuratively and literally.
“Thank God, that’s so much better,” he said while everyone smiled, laughed, and cheered him on.
Now more comfortably in his element, he gifted the crowd the swoon worthy “Postman,” about “having self-respect even though you’re horny” and then the highly singalong-able “Peer Pressure,” which carried many away with its ’50s-inspired back beat.
Ember then put the guitar down and asked the audience how they were all doing, noting that the past four or five weeks had been “a little intense.” He then offered a cover of Arcade Fire’s “End of the Empie I‑IV” that had him leaning in closer to the crowd microphone in hand to convey the lyrics, “I unsubscribe. This is no way of life. I don’t believe the hype.” It was bold and bracing, yet also comforting and communal.
One of the final three songs of the set included the jaunty “Nothing On My Phone Really Matters,” with Ember handing off his guitar to Fatzinger so he could play his cornet.
“I’m multi-instrumentalist Brian Ember,” he said with a smile. Smiles were everywhere, a welcomed change from the norm lately. Ember led the room as a ringleader might, yet he was also more than ready to experience the rest of the show with us all.
“Stay tuned for absolute madness,” he said about the upcoming set from The Broken Robots. “I cannot wait to see what happens.”
Daniel told the crowd at the beginning of his band’s set that he had Ember go on first so as not to scare anyone away, which caused a ton of laughter. Although I did not keep track of the numbers, I believe most stayed and were grateful for it.
The Broken Robots are an Enfield-based band comprised of Matt Dwonszyk on bass, Ben Biello on drums, Dan Blake on sax/flute, Evan Waaramaa on keytar, and Daniel, well, just simply on. He offered improvised spoken word pieces and interactions with the audience including dance, mime, and an alternate version of pin the tail on the donkey while the band created a jazz soundscape for it all. If Ember makes the music that could be on a Lynchian jukebox, then Daniel could be a Lynchian character at one of those diners having a cup of damn fine coffee, the band a soundtrack to all of the machinations and musings.
“I’m happy,” said Daniel as Blake’s flute created its own joyful noise. “Believe it or not, I’m happy, and I think it’s okay.”
It was more than okay, especially with such a receptive crowd who was encouraged to dance and clap along. Daniel donned his sequin blazer and top hat with a card in the sash signifying his Leap Year age — 10 and ¼ — for his Very Merry Un-Birthday song and dance, which led into a reflection of how we see ourselves and others over the years.
“Every year you get a little older, a little wiser, hopefully happy,” he said after bringing out “another reason to be happy” which ended up being a large birthday cake that he shared with everyone.
Daniels joked afterwards that he sounded like he “drank a pint of his name” but I think presently is the time for people like him and Ember and anyone committed to their art and free expression to be exactly who they are and to allow the space and safety to be exactly who you are along with them, and celebrate them most happily.
Ember's final form.
Daniel suited up.
The Broken Robots