Tall Heights began the evening with quite the set that got a standing ovation from the crowd. With a sense of humor on top of their music prowess, the trio captivated the audience non-stop for their 45 minute set. Paul Wright wore and performed off his cello as Tim Harrington switched between acoustic and electric guitars. Their drummer had a kit split between a conventional kit and electronic drums. The sounds that the threesome came up with were unique and augmented the beautiful harmonies that made their songs soar.
Tall Heights
Tall Heights
Tall Heights
Tall Heights
At one point the audience was asked to break “concert protocol” and call the person next to them and place the two phones on speak while holding them one on top of the other. This led to the phones sounding like birds chirping or bugs buzzing, making an impressive background noise and a unique moment of audience participation. Tall Heights has a bright future ahead of them given their experimental and unique sound.
Tall Heights
Tall Heights
Tall Heights
Tall Heights
Darlingside, the Massachusetts-based indie folk group, was surrounded by family and friends to close out the end of their North Eastern Tour at The Egg in Albany, NY on Sunday December 19th. Winners of Folk Alliance International’s 2015 “Artist of the Year,” the group consists of vocalist and multi instrumentalists, Auyon Mukharji, David Senft, Harris Paseltiner, and Don Mitchell.
Darlingside
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The band gathered around a single microphone, resembling a barbershop quartet and opened their last show of 2016 with “My Gal, My Guy.” Their powerful crescendos are awe inspiring and sharply executed, showcasing the intense control over their vocals and instruments. Harmonies were remindful of a folksy Beach Boys mixed with deep wooded yet airy string work created a refreshing, authentic performance.
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Harris Paseltiner complimented the Egg’s resemblance to a planetarium, enjoying the feeling of their music flying through stars. It was captivating to watch the musicians change their instruments for each song while maintaining rich, fluid melodies. Keeping a mild, monotone sense of humor in between songs provided excellent storytelling about the origin of the alphabet, the history behind their songs and a unanimous love for Tall Heights who joined them onstage for their title track “Bird Say.” The addition of gentle percussion and vocals gave a warming energy to the theater.
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Darlingside and Tall Heights
Darlingside encored with one last pun of the night, a holiday themed “Fourth of July” solidifying another masterful arrangement of uplifting lyrical Americana. Let’s hope their positive energy carries through to the next year.
Darlingside
Darlingside
Darlingside
Article: Sue Rice
Photos: Bryan Lasky
