Br’er - Tanosweg - Single Mothers @ No Space
Macon’s usually tame Sunday evening turned out be a great event, for a change. Touring act Br’er from Philadelphia contacted me recently to book a show. Br’er had performed at a Riggonia house party along with Nomenclature and quite possibly Cult of Riggonia a couple years ago, and they made their mark on a small number of us…enough to really excite me to bring them back to haunt our town.
Single Mothers by way of Atl/Columbus opened the show. Though I had little time to focus on his whole set, I enjoyed what I heard. Single Mothers fit the bill great. He performed eerie songs by way of acoustic guitar and vocals. His voice carried mostly in a falsetto range or higher usually, sounding similar to the likes of a tamed Teaadora. I enjoyed his approach and his eerie song topics, his voice ironic amidst this near country music at times. A good start for the evening.
Br’er took the stage next. I was extremely anxious and ready to hear them perform as the sound check earlier in the evening included cello and violin, it was well enough to warm my soul. Br’er’s lead singer Benjamin Shurr took to his small harmonium and delivered an incredible vocal performance, dramatic and theatric, it was just enough needed to bring the music to full life on stage. Other members performed with noise filled synthesizers, cello, violin, electric autoharp, and sang backing vocals. No drums on this tour ,it was not needed, Br’er created haunting tension with outburst of chaotic noise over amazing intricate compositions of string arrangements. Very intense, dramatic, dark, and utterly amazing with touches of classical, folk, ambient, experimental, and stage performance. NoSpace captures an amazing sound and the band was well aware and grateful of the quality of their stage sound. Amazingly nice folks on top of it all. Macon loved this band.
To finish the evening, Tanosweg, a new side project of Xavii and The Polygraph Event. Equipped with three heavily effected vocals and a single guitar swimming in effects and odd rhythms. It was a warm and full sound. The first half of the set I missed much of but included various cover songs including Sufjan Stevens and what I heard at one point sounded like Xavii lyrics recomposed over new musical arrangements. It was nice. I immersed myself in the later half of the set. For a first show, I was impressed with Tanoswegs material despite any flaws. Seas of vocal harmonies and loops, random noise added with a folk based music compositions served well for the show. Good job noise kids!!!
I was extremely happy to see a great turnout. Organizing these DIY events, pulling resources together, and making sure bands get paid and are comfortable can be stressful enough that I consider not doing it at times. Thankfully for all your support I regain my strength to continue putting these events and to seek out more interesting acts to bring to Macon. All around a great evening and hopefully more to come in the near future at NoSpace. Thanks everyone.
-Clark Bush
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