Today is my roommate's birthday (happy birthday, Morgan!) so a bunch of friends got together for fun and drinks last night. We started off the evening at Elm Bar, with the intention of playing pool (it never happened). As we sat in our corner of the bar, we came to realize that the evening was featuring live music. There was a small crowd of maybe 25 people, our group making up more than half of it and the remainder consisting of performers, staff, and regulars. I wasn't too keen on the first act so I stepped outside for a smoke and some conversation but, boy oh boy, am I glad I made it back in before the second act went on stage.
From the second Channing & Quinn approached the tiny stage, I knew they would be right up my alley. I know you can't/shouldn't judge a book by its cover but everything about them screamed "Becky's going to love this!" From Quinn's well manicured sideburns and vest to Channing's adorable dress, which easily could have either been vintage or pulled straight from the Dear Creatures lookbook, to her wonderful red curls, they just had a vibe about them that lured me in. The smiles and warm greetings they gave the small crowd didn't hurt either.
As soon as they started playing, I was sold. Channing's voice was incredible. With each song, I kept hearing hints of vocalists I adore: Shingai Shoniwa (of the Noisettes), Leslie Feist, and Zooey Deschanel, in particular. The mystery of the random board on stage was solved during the first song (accompanied by the realization that Channing was wearing tap shoes) when she started tapping along.
With each passing song, my adoration grew. Channing sang, played the glockenspiel, tambourine, a cymbal, and a kazoo and tapped a bit more. Quinn switched from guitar, to banjo, to bass drum, to ukulele, to accordion. Their original material was creative and their covers were no less impressive (The Doors and Willie Nelson were seen in a whole new light). They had the charisma and talent to warrant a much larger crowd but the intimate setting made it all the more wonderful for a first time experience. I swear, my cheeks hurt from smiling; that's how happy their music made me.
I purchased the CDs they had available and I've been listening to them at my desk all day ("The Vanishing Act" has been experiencing a lot of repeat play). While I should be pinching pennies right now, the expenditure was well worth it. They are a talented duo whom I wish the best success for. Not only are they great musicians, in the short time my friends and I spent speaking with them, it was clear they are great people as well (Channing gave the birthday girl a free CD!). They have a few tour dates left in the Northeast and I strongly encourage my friends to check them out before they head back south.
No comments:
Post a Comment