As soon as ETA closed in December 2023, the IVtet instantly graduated to Zebulon, a 200-cap membership in L.A.’s Frogtown neighborhood, and as soon as The Manner Out of Straightforward blew up amongst critics and followers, the group ventured out to play different midsize rooms like Brooklyn’s Public Information and the Backyard Membership in Atlanta. On August 20, 2025, they have been booked at Lodge Room, which holds 500 individuals and is half a block from the place ETA stood on Figueroa Avenue.
Completely happy At present is simply as remarkably hypnotic because the IVtet’s earlier paperwork, however it’s maybe extra spectacular to listen to how commanding they’ve develop into as a unit. On each sidelong tracks, they take their time to ascertain a vibe, every member discovering the proper time so as to add one other layer. “Like Swimwear” begins with Parker plucking a fragile determine, ultimately sustaining sure notes to construct a fragile, droning chord. Johnson follows go well with, however performs a dueling determine, as Butterss and Bellerose methodically add extra accents into the rhythmic spine. Ultimately, the 2 totally lock collectively, permitting Parker and Johnson the area to wriggle round, generally discovering the cracks and crevices within the motorik churn, different occasions enveloping it in clouds of pure tone. Johnson experiments with refrain and reverb results, giving his saxophone the impression of fading out and in of view.
The title observe builds at a good slower tempo, swirling round itself like a Lonnie Liston Smith or Alice Coltrane deep lower for the higher a part of 10 minutes earlier than lastly breaking right into a canter. Parker’s guitar all however dissipates right into a constellation of light sine waves whereas Butterss and Johnson solo in opposition to one another. Bellerose provides a breathy coating of percussive textures, and you may think about all 4 with their eyes closed, taking part in with out even pondering. By the tip, Bellerose and Butterss are again in a pocket, and Johnson and Parker are buying and selling knotted, ratcheting phrases forwards and backwards; it’s laborious to do not forget that it began with a mere wisp.
Throughout each bit, there’s a second about midway via the place Bellerose transitions from bubbly, tom-heavy rudiments right into a straight-ahead Stax sample, and every time, just a few members of the viewers can’t include their glee. Their joyful, stank-face shouts come from deep within the crowd and echo off the Lodge Room’s ceiling, and also you’re reminded that this band is taking part in this music in entrance of a whole bunch of enchanted individuals. Gonzales and Parker depart near 30 seconds of applause on the finish of each tracks, and the viewers’s joyful hooting and hollering feels as astonished because it does celebratory. The IVtet’s energy is in presence, each of their skill to entry it onstage collectively and engender it in a crowd, regardless of the dimensions. The easy act of discovering area with different individuals may help you contact the infinite, even for simply 20 minutes at a time.
