Because of the glorious, amphitheater-style stage and sprawling lawn used for Stubb’s outside concerts, I sometimes forget that they have an indoor stage, too! Amidst the smell of BBQ (which was sadly no longer being served by the time I got there) and antlers that hang like chandeliers over the bar just beyond the entrance, music emits from the downstairs stage. You can watch the show bird’s eye style or in the cellar-like area downstairs in front of the stage. A crowd gathered Friday night to listen to indie rock/power-pop
Austinites Wiretree and their local opening bands Future Clouds and Radar and The Dark Water Hymnal.
The Dark Water Hymnal plays somber folk, and Future Clouds and Radar play pop rock--I think lead singer Robert Harrison is a big fan of Mick Jagger. The three bands don’t really play similar music, so it was somewhat a surprising lineup. The music got dancier as the night went along, and the array of genres is attractive to the eclectic Austin ear.
Headlining band Wiretree was formed and fronted by Kevin Peroni, whose voice calls to mind Ben Kweller and The Decemberists singer Colin Meloy. The band released its first EP on their own independent label Colbaltworks Music in 2005, with LP Bouldin to follow in 2007. Their 2009 LP Luck has gained national attention, including being named Blurt magazine’s “Best Kept Secret.” Their recorded tracks are much crisper than the live show Friday night, which sounded more heavily influenced by Elliott Smith than 70’s George Harrison.
Wiretree opened the set with a new song, hopefully to be released this summer, said Peroni. I didn’t catch the name of the song, but it had something to do with a harbor--at least that’s the lyric that stuck with me! The guitar riffs were melodic, and the drums punched out a good beat. They played “Back in Town,” from Luck, a song that beckons to the good ole days of indie rock. The crowd was pretty mellow, with people of all ages. A few hard-core fans yelled out suggestions and snapped pictures on their iPhones.
Peroni was confident in his singing, but seemed humble when addressing the audience. “I wonder who’s louder,” he said, and stumbled over his words when asking if it was the upstairs audience or the crowd on the floor. Before anyone had a chance to holler out, he apologized and said “I need to take a comedy class.” Peroni’s vocal quality is truly beautiful, and shone on “Back in Town,” in which his voice pulls at your heart with the words “letting go is the hardest part.” I suggest you take a listen to on their MySpace. In all, Wiretree calls upon a medley of influences from the 60s to the 90s, and blends them together seamlessly for a sound that’s all their own.
Austinites Wiretree and their local opening bands Future Clouds and Radar and The Dark Water Hymnal.
The Dark Water Hymnal plays somber folk, and Future Clouds and Radar play pop rock--I think lead singer Robert Harrison is a big fan of Mick Jagger. The three bands don’t really play similar music, so it was somewhat a surprising lineup. The music got dancier as the night went along, and the array of genres is attractive to the eclectic Austin ear.
Headlining band Wiretree was formed and fronted by Kevin Peroni, whose voice calls to mind Ben Kweller and The Decemberists singer Colin Meloy. The band released its first EP on their own independent label Colbaltworks Music in 2005, with LP Bouldin to follow in 2007. Their 2009 LP Luck has gained national attention, including being named Blurt magazine’s “Best Kept Secret.” Their recorded tracks are much crisper than the live show Friday night, which sounded more heavily influenced by Elliott Smith than 70’s George Harrison.
Wiretree opened the set with a new song, hopefully to be released this summer, said Peroni. I didn’t catch the name of the song, but it had something to do with a harbor--at least that’s the lyric that stuck with me! The guitar riffs were melodic, and the drums punched out a good beat. They played “Back in Town,” from Luck, a song that beckons to the good ole days of indie rock. The crowd was pretty mellow, with people of all ages. A few hard-core fans yelled out suggestions and snapped pictures on their iPhones.
Peroni was confident in his singing, but seemed humble when addressing the audience. “I wonder who’s louder,” he said, and stumbled over his words when asking if it was the upstairs audience or the crowd on the floor. Before anyone had a chance to holler out, he apologized and said “I need to take a comedy class.” Peroni’s vocal quality is truly beautiful, and shone on “Back in Town,” in which his voice pulls at your heart with the words “letting go is the hardest part.” I suggest you take a listen to on their MySpace. In all, Wiretree calls upon a medley of influences from the 60s to the 90s, and blends them together seamlessly for a sound that’s all their own.
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