Phoebe Rayher was graced not only with an excellent voice but also with a first initial and last name that, when combined, work as a moniker that seems shockingly sensible in the current indie-rock paradigm–Prayher. It fits in alongside Chvrches, Temples, and other names that feel slightly mystical. Prayher emphasizes vocals akin to Joanna Newsom, which rise and fall against a backdrop of minimalist beats. The songs alternate between suddenly jarring and quietly simmering as Rayher sings and plays keys. Simple yet full of risk, the approach is both accessible and challenging; a singer with keys is inherently relatable, but Rayher’s vocal outbursts pushes boundaries enough that she’s asking us to flex our comfort zones.
Following Prayher, Lukas Read crooned through a set of traditional folk songs built on excellent finger picking. Read’s songs recall other modern folk troubadours such as A.A. Bondy or early M. Ward by eschewing the pop oriented folk of the current era and remaining true to the roots of folk music such as narrative structures and more nuanced melodies. Full disclosure: Lukas writes for this blog, but if you think we’re biased, you can just hear for yourself if he’s any good.
Check out a few photos from the night below. All photographs © Bryan C. Parker & Pop Press International; all rights reserved. Click any image to open set in slideshow viewer.
