Queen of Jeans Album Release Show at Underground Arts
What a whirlwind weekend this was.
Between the array of great new music released on Friday, and the incredibly stacked bill at the Queen of Jeans show this Saturday, my ears were blessed all weekend long.
I was also fortunate enough to be able to interview Miriam "Miri" Devora, leading lady of Queen of Jeans, prior to their set. I'll have that interview coming later in the week. In the meantime, I'll fill you guys in on this past Saturday evening at Underground Arts, and share with you some photos from that night.
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| Harmony Woods |
Harmony Woods kicked off the Female-Fronted event that evening. But can we back this up for a second first. I have to tell you all that my night started with me walking up to front woman Sofia Verbilla, asking " Hi, are you Harmony?" It was obvious I went into the show with zero knowledge of the opening acts, but left thoroughly impressed and a fan of both.
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| Harmony Woods |
Verbilla's vocals were reminiscent of Hayley Williams (think 'All We Know Is Falling'), they were equal parts beautiful and haunting. It was clear that after having been touring for the past couple of months the group was a solid well-oiled machine. The only way I can describe their sound is to say:
You know when you were in high school and you were filled with angst? The first time you longed for someone who didn't even know you existed? Those moments when you were 17 and thought you had it all figured out? That's Harmony Woods. By the end of their set, nostalgia and emotions had flooded the entire room. I was completely in awe, a part of me wanting to hear just one more track before they packed up for the night.
You know when you were in high school and you were filled with angst? The first time you longed for someone who didn't even know you existed? Those moments when you were 17 and thought you had it all figured out? That's Harmony Woods. By the end of their set, nostalgia and emotions had flooded the entire room. I was completely in awe, a part of me wanting to hear just one more track before they packed up for the night.
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| Anika Pyle of Katie Ellen |
Next up was Katie Ellen, an Alternative/Indie/Pop/Punk quartet from Philly. Leading the group was Anika Pyle, a force to be reckoned with. She spoke of the process of writing an album. Saying it takes about a year to write a record, about another year to record it, and then once an album is released... you're no longer in that state of mind you were in when you originally wrote lyrics. Pyle had the task of transporting everyone back into the head space she was in when she wrote the album Cowgirl Blues. If I wasn't already crippled enough from the Harmony set, Katie Ellen finished me off. Weaving in and out of tracks about love, life and imperfections, the set was brilliant. (Even with having a friend of Pyle's filling in on the bass for the evening.)
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| Katie Ellen |
Towards the end of their set Pyle, gave a beautiful speech about how we should be remember to be kind to one another, build each other up instead of tear one another down. It was short, sweet and message she felt everyone should hear before they ended their set with 'Sad Girls Club'.
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| Queen of Jeans |
Last up on stage was hometown favorites, Queen of Jeans. You could feel the excitement and love for this band bouncing around the room.
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| Miri ( & 1/4 of Patrick) of Queen of Jeans |
Miri had mentioned to me, before the show, that she always gets nervous before she preforms. Watching the set, you would have never known. Her vocals that night were phenomenal and it was if the band had come into their own. The were comfortable with one another, it was as if they had nestled into their own groove. Which is not surprising after this past year they've had with touring, releasing their first record and being signed.
Each member of the band brought something to the table that made the performance spectacular as a whole. Matheson Glass and Nina Scotto, the band's guitarist and bassist, brought harmonies to the stage during the a capella portion of the set, that left the room wonder-stuck. Patrick Wall, the band's drummer, was the steady heartbeat of the quartet throughout the evening. And Devora completely outdid herself on vocals that evening. It was the same band we've seen on their self titled EP, but with more to prove and more to say.
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| Queen of Jeans |
Queen of Jeans' music is all too familiar, in the sense that it nostalgic, taking influence from the 60's and 90's. But what gives the band it's ability to stand out in the crowd is the way to bring together these influences and cultivate it into their own sound. Ending the set with 'U R My Guy' was cherry on top for the evening. A clear crowd favorite from the new record, and it showcased Devora giving it her all vocally. All of their grinding and working hard had paid off with an album release and a packed room of family, friends and fans showing admiration for the band. If this is any indication of what's to come, Queen of Jeans has a lot more in store for us.
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