Friday’s bill at the Mohawk featured a somewhat unlikely assortment of bands, but within that offered a diverse range of talent from sparse and oddly beautiful to noisily forceful to quiet and serene. Balmorhea headlined the evening, performing on the outdoor stage to an eventually crowded Mohawk. As always, their songs drifted over fans delicately, defined by elegant strings, while packing enough chamber rock punch to keep listeners engrossed and, at times, almost dancing.
Mirror Travel acted as the lynchpin center act, delivering one of the most blistering sets I’ve seen from the band. Their songs sound better and better with each show, and the trio has developed into a noise rock powerhouse. Their guitar lines and vocal harmonies balance between dissonant experimentation and subtle pop, challenging at the same time they draw the crowd in. The band is simply fun to watch.
On drums, Tiffanie Lanmon captivates with ferocious energy that emphasizes floor tom and snare to create driving rhythms. Lauren Green delivers vocals in a state that wavers between stoic and fiercely emotive as she sways, swinging her guitar back and forth. Bassist Paul Brinkley emerges from the shadows to harmonize while laying down powerful yet simple bass lines. This is a band whose buzz has been growing for something like half a decade, and they’re beginning to tap into their vast potential. See them, Austin. They’re great.
Jess Williamson opened the evening with a set of sparse folk songs delivered with her trademark quavering vocals. Moving between guitar and banjo, Williamson possesses a repertoire of songs that are haunting and entrancing. New drummer Andrew Stevens created careful and minimal percussion to fill out Williamson’s songs to great effect. Each of the bands on the bill offered something distinct and intriguing to make Fridays show a solid one.
All photos © Bryan Parker & Pop Press International. Click any image to open in slideshow viewer.
