Shannon Söderlund dropped her newest EP last week titled The Magic, and celebrated the release at the LES’s friendliest multi-stage venue, Rockwood Music Hall. Getting to the venue early to take some portraits was an easy task considering the quality of the album and the nice weather. Shannon was excited for the show and in good spirits so we snapped a few photos before the gig.
In the dimly-lit Stage 2, the 4 piece (sometimes 5) band including Andrew Söderlund on guitar, Adi Meyerson on the bass, and drummer Campbell Youngblood-Petersen unassumingly took to the stage and immediately jumped into “Tomorrow’s Only Tuesday,” which is the first tune on the EP. The overall sound quality right off the bat, was as good as I’ve heard that room and was immediately enthralled with the rhythmic tune. Söderlund has a powerful and smoky voice, reminiscent of famous Jazz performers of the past, but brings a NYC edge we know and love.
In middle of the set, “Addicted,” nearly floored me with its sincerity, bellowing bass, flowing storyline, guitar-work and harmonies with backup vocalist Pamela Vachon. The show continued with “Tell Me What It’s Like,” a tune that easily could of been a hit in the mid-90’s, and the title track of the album, “The Magic,” which closed the gig with calls for an encore from the crowd.
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Buy The Magic EP on iTunes, Amazon and Bandcamp
Article: Shayne Hanley