9/26 The Cave Singers @ The Mohawk

Had the weather dropped about fifteen degrees, there would not have been a better show in town.  Lights against the limestone enclave and a little bit of folk music, just a slight bit warm.  But, The Cave Singers, along with Lightning Dust, still managed to outlast nature and pull off a wonderful show.  Follow the jump for more.

Lightning Dust is basically the vocals of Black Mountain’s Amber Webber with a hint of backing from a few compatriots.  Her voice was striking in the live setting, able to rise above the usual chatter at The Mohawk (will you people ever shut up?). While the music may have been a bit slow, you could tell that all were drawn to her stage presence.  She seemed like some sort of folk temptress, beckoning the audience to listen intently to every word she had to say.  And we did.   Stepping away from Black Mountain might not be the ultimate goal, but Ms. Webber showed us that she has the pipes and the presence to make it should she ever choose to pursue this direction full time.

And so we awaited the night’s best band, though Asobi Seksu would later play a set (which we missed).  The Cave Singers album has been playing around our offices since its release, and we couldn’t have been more excited to see them again, seeing as we hadn’t watched them live since their set a few years back at Fun Fun Fun Fest.  The trio has fleshed out their sound, well, somewhat, and our anticipation was greeted with a spectacular set by the Seattle trio.

To begin the set, the group asked that all lights be turned down, save for a lone red light that barely lit up the stage enough for anyone to see the band.  Their set would be comprised of equal parts Welcome Joy and Invitation Songs.  The newest songs that we were able to witness included the likes of “Leap,” “I Don’t Mind,” “Shrine” and “At The Cut,” which definitely lived up to their promise during the live setting.  It’s interesting when looking into the history of the band, as its clear that their roots in the punk arena have not died away entirely, despite playing a more folk vision with The Cave Singers.  Guitarist Derek Fudesco, former PGMG bassist definitely still has the soul of rock inside him, as he rocked feverishly upon his little chair, clearly wanting to let loose, yet staying at home throughout the set’s entirety.

Peter Quirk still acts like the spirited frontman, not able to sit there solemnly and belt out the group’s tunes.  He moved as much as one could do with such music, capturing us all in his aura.  You also can’t go on with a discussion of this band without appreciating the gracious manner with which Quirk seems to manage himself, consistently thanking the audience for all the love we threw his way.  When Amber Webber joined the band to sit in for a song, you had to enjoy the fact that two remarkable voices fit together so exceptionally.   And so they closed with “At the Cut,” a tune that Quirk claimed was the dance number.  And as the last note faded into reverb folk of The Cave Singers, we had to appreciate all they brought to us in such a short time on stage.