When you take enough back roads in America, you’re sure to wind up in a town like Balthrop, Alabama. Although that town is fictional, the folk-rock collective band ironically formed in Brooklyn, is real. Actually it’s a huge collective that somehow fit in Mercury Lounge and winning the award for the most on stage. The music conjures up songs you’d hear from the heart of Dixie, but in a more modern style and narratives about politics and dead people in love. The band was very entertaining and even had an artist interpret the songs through elaborate drawings projected onto a screen. Can’t wait to see these guys again.
Disclaimer: Yup, I’m still in love with Caithlen DeMarrais. I was anxious to hear what Caithlen has been doing since the end of Rainer Maria. Her myspace page had 2 quiet but emotional songs that were quite a departure from her band. She was backed up by members of the opening bands and I was surprised to see Kyle Fisher in the mix as well. She went from piano to guitar to mic flawlessly singing her new songs. The energy in the room was quite different from what I’m used to when seeing her live but it picked up when she played “Make You Mine”. Eager to see where her solo career will take this talented musician.
http://balthropalabama.com
http://www.myspace.com/caithlindemarrais