Review: Bowerbirds at The Met, 6.21.12

Words and Photo // Brian Hodge

The Bowerbirds perform at The Met in Pawtucket RI - June 21, 2012

Bowerbirds - Tuck The Darkness In

The Bowerbirds have perched a lofty and unique place in today’s musical landscape, nesting a home in the unfettered space close to Bon Iver (they recorded their aptly-titled The Clearing at Vernon’s Wisconsin April Base studio), but in a fashion all their own.

Or, as Phil Moore puts it in “This Year,”: “We’ll find a clearing in the forest of our hearts.”  So the group has successfully found a clearing in today’s independent folk scene, a favorable position on full display in a recent Rhode Island performance.

To begin, Moore solely took the stage in a style befitting his tunes – simply and sincerely. Moore initially dipped his toes into The Clearing, namely “Walk The Furrows” and “Sweet Moment.”  His versions, reminiscent of a simple coffeehouse set, was an excellent introduction to the evening. with Moore’s falsetto croons carrying easily throughout the club.

Soon, he was joined onstage by Beth Tacular and percussionist Yan Westerlund.  They quickly launched into “House of Diamonds,” the subtle-but-stellar opener from 2009’s Upper Air.  Tacular, backing multiple Korgs, sweetly supported the live arrangements throughout with perfectly placed vocals and fulfilling piano parts.

The three quickly squelched any questions of how their lush arrangements would translate to the live setting.  With a bit of creativity and tacit talent, the performance – as good ones do – rekindled the records, without simply recreating or reflecting them.

The group continuously kept The Clearing on shuffle, bending “In The Yard” into a fuzzy affair and snapping “Stitch the Hem” into a quicker, calypso-sounding serenade.  Westerlund, perfectly steady throughout, capably kept the whole thing buoyant with a breezy backbeat. The trend continued with a wistful version of “Northern Lights,” the tune bouncing brightly on Tacular’s brisk piano.

“Island Dweller,” a protest song from a heretofore-unknown side project also kept things interesting, with Moore’s electric guitar carving out a different-in-a-welcome-way look for the group.

But the Bowerbirds are at their best in the comfortable, middle tempos and bright, mid-range melodies.  They closed the evening with the wonderful “Tuck The Darkness In,” as Moore’s  allusion to time as nature’s incessant swindler ringing sincerely in the audience’s ears.

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Basia Bulat beautifully opened the evening.  The Canadian singer-songwriter made an impressive Rhode Island debut, smoothly shifting between attractive folk melodies to tunes on pop music’s alluring border.  

Her musicianship was immediately apparent, breaking out an autoharp, a turn-of-the-century American harp, and ending the evening with swift fingerpicking on a ukulele.  It is, of course, one thing to trot these instruments out, but Bulat handled them all with equal aplomb.  Expect to hear more from her in the future.

Bowerbirds - Overcome With Light

Words // Brian Hodge

The Clearing, the third album from Bowerbirds released earlier this year, found the Raleigh-formed band fleshing out its folksy sound, with soothing melodies that flowered into lush orchestration. It resulted in their best album to date.  With a new video befitting their pastoral sound, "Overcome with Light" puts the band in their natural element and does well to capture their reverence of their surroundings.  The band continues their east coast leg of their extensive tour this week and be sure to check back for a show review in the next few days.

Review: Bowerbirds - The Clearing

Words // Brian Hodge

A temperate past few days combined with Daylight Savings has hinted suggestively at the changing of seasons.  The Clearing, the new album from North Carolina-based Bowerbirds, is a softly-lit album that blooms just in time for spring, an album inviting you to explore their rustic world.

The Bowerbirds’ reap their familiar pastoral territory, generally speaking, but the duo’s vision feels fully realized here.  The scope - and production value - has increased on what is the group’s third record.  Recorded in Wisconsin at the increasingly influential April Base studio (of Bon Iver, Bon Iver acclaim), there are lush, sweeping melodies pieced together beautifully with orchestral flourishes and latticework instrumentation.

The Clearing opens up with perhaps the record’s strongest track, “Tuck The Darkness In,” a song about bittersweet reminiscence. Phil Moore’s minor-keyed melody feels reliable and comforting in its familiarity.  But by the time the orchestra swells behind his lamentations, it’s shimmeringly clear the duo have come a long way since 2009’s Upper Air.

Over the past three years, Moore and bandmate Beth Tacular ended their long romantic relationship, battled a mysterious illness that hospitalized Tacular, rescued a dog and subsequently rekindled their relationship.

While one can infer any number of influences these events may have had on the recording, the lasting impression here is one of acceptance.  Accepting things in, accepting that some things go, and ultimately accepting that while life isn’t perfect, nature has a steady course and a way of keeping everything balanced.

On the album closer “Now We Hurry On,” there’s a passage where Moore sings “And what we miss, we miss, we miss. / And what we see under the sun is what we get.”  Everything in between, both in life and on the album, is more than good enough.

Bowerbirds play the Paradise Rock Club on March 24. Tickets here

Bowerbirds - Tuck In The Darkness (Video)

Words // Scott Pingeton

This is really just an excuse to post one of my favorite songs of the year again.  But, while I'm at it, it's worth noting that Bowerbirds' excellent new album The Clearing is out now - and it's damn good.  As is the new video for "Tuck In The Darkness".  The Clearing record finds songwriting duo Phil Moore and Beth Tacular pairing their simple folk songs with big, expansive sounds - swooping strings, majestic guitars, horns.  It's a major step forward from 2009's also-excellent Upper Air.  Bowerbirds are at the Paradise on March 24, which I plan to be at - assuming I survive SXSW.  Tickets

New music: Bowerbirds - "Tuck the Darkness In"

Words // Brian Hodge

Bowerbirds, the pastoral folk outfit from North Carolina, have released a new single and some tour dates in anticipation of their new album, The Clearing.  "Tuck the Darkness In" builds with swirling instrumentation, hinting at a more expansive sonic palate than 2009's pristine Upper Air.  The Clearing, due on March 6, consists of 11 tracks, reportedly cut at Bon Iver's Wisconsin studio.  They visit the Paradise on March 24, but for now, enjoy the track below.

Bowerbirds - Tuck the Darkness In