Indie bands perfect fit for Kilby Court atmosphere
PDF Kilby Court, in downtown Salt Lake City, is a gathering place for loyal underground indie music followers. You won’t find any fancy lights or stages here, but a well-used stage strung about with softly glowing Christmas lights. With its cement walls plastered with stickers from top to bottom, this venue makes concert-goers feel comfortable in a garage-band land.
On Tuesday, Breathe Owl Breathe visited Kilby Court, sharing the stage with bands Paul Jacobson and the Madison Arm, and Megafaun. Paul Jacobson and the Madison Arm opened the show with whispered lyrics, lending a sense of tranquility and sincerity present only in more intimate settings than can be found in huge stadiums or event centers. Lead singer Paul Jacobson’s raspy yet deeply calming vocals resembled those of a country singer, minus the mournful, drunken truck driver lyrics. Each member of the band contributed to the vocals, creating a harmony that blended with the acoustic guitar and soft drum beats like true indie back-roaders.
The last act was long-time performers Megafaun, a band of “bearded brutes”8212;two brothers Brad and Phil Cook and Joe Westerlund. With a distinctive country sound, these three veteran artists took many requests from the crowd.
Breathe Owl Breathe was the highlight of the night. The band is on a nationwide tour, and is a hidden gem of indie rock innovation. Based in Michigan, band members Micah Middaugh (guitar, lead vocals), Andrea Moreno-Beals (cello, vocals) and Trevor Hobbs (percussion) tell tales of daydreams and death, sabertooth tigers and orphans, and mischievous teenage werewolves.
Once the band took the stage, each member threw on a large cape with a picture of an elephant on the back.
“My mom made these for us,” Middaugh said.
The audience at Kilby Court, caught in surprised laughter, seemed to appreciate the whimsical, almost accidental genius of Breathe Owl Breathe. Their songs are about anything and everything, but what makes them a crowd favorite is their artistry.
“Their charm is in their dorkiness,” said Jocelyn Bowman, an audience member.
Cellist Moreno-Beals’ classical training tiptoed its way into the heartfelt sounds produced by Middaugh’s vocals and the silly but imaginative lyrics. Adding to the magic of Moreno-Beals’ cello is her breathy vocals, strongly reminiscent of Regina Spektor, a well-established indie music hero. A continuous stream of muffled hums from Moreno-Beals cast an undeniable spell over the audience, ending with a triumphant burst of applause.
A wide array of instruments added to the excited and experimental air of the music. Glockenspiels, banjos and glass jars of water were all employed in the folkish numbers. When Hobbs moved over to the keyboard, Moreno-Beals took over the drums. Hopping from drum to drum, shaking her hair about and smiling ecstatically, her energy seemed to lift her off the stage and infect the entire audience.
Breathe Owl Breathe likes to interact with the audience. When singing a story about the saber-toothed tiger that came out of a melting glacier, the audience joined in the predetermined miming performed by Middaugh, including making their own saberteeth and pointy ears with their hands. Although seemingly childish, the simple tactics used by the band engaged its audience beyond the level of just listening.
In another song about an orphan, a moment of quiet reflection was achieved in the audience. At the request of Middaugh, the audience repeated the word “home” over and over to the accompaniment of gentle guitar strumming.
Altogether, the performance of all three bands embodied the spirit of underground indie, in all its simplicity and folkish charm.
Short URL: http://www.dailyutahchronicle.com/?p=4561
Posted by The Daily Utah Chronicle on Apr 21 2010. Filed under A&E. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Loading ...
Recent Comments