The Listening Room VII : Homemade Knives & Brown Bird

Tuesdays have never been special to me. On Wednesday we get over the work hump. Friday brings the weekend, we rest on Sunday and Mondays are…well, Mondays are Mondays. But, what about Tuesday? It wasn’t until I attended the Listening Room several months ago that I had something to anticipate, something to long for, something to give my Tuesdays a purpose. It is with that excitement and expectation that I arrived at the Michaux House on May 25th. In a matter of moments the room was transformed from what appeared to be a kinder garden classroom to the warm and mysterious space we have grown to adore. The smell of Garnetts’s coffee cake filled the air, as did an energy that everyone seemed to sense. The Listening Room has gained momentum since its inception and with amazing performances from Brown Bird and Homemade Knives it all but took flight. Listeners began to trickle in around 7:30, but the flow quickly picked up. A crowd of over a hundred poured in filling every seat in the house. The lights dimmed and Brown Bird took the stage.

Performing as a three piece, Brown Bird could have had me fooled. With a pile-on blocking my view, I heard the lush and intricate sounds of what seemed to be a folk orchestra. In reality it was the talent of an enchanting Americana band from Rhode Island. A few songs deep I finally overcame the intrigue of Brown Bird’s musicianship and allowed their sound to saturate my ears. The voice of front man David Lamb was like an old friend singing a melody of his travels through the trappings of love, death and spirituality. Haunted by a weeping Dobro and string section, Brown Bird transposed the Listening Room to a key of rustic foot-stomping folk with powerful lyrics. The tempo changes and whirling instrumentation of “By the Reins” made it one of the most engaging songs I have ever heard. When Lamb announced the band’s last tune of the night it was evident that no one was ready for them to stop. However, a greatly anticipated performance by Homemade Knives was still to come and Richmond and the Listening Room could hardly wait any longer.

After a three-year sabbatical, Homemade Knives was reborn in front of a crowd of long time fans and supporters. When the band took the stage it felt as though the room held its breath until the first chord was played. Suddenly, a wall of harmonious sound overwhelmed the Michaux House and Homemade Knives was back. The audience was in a trance for the remainder of the show. Lead vocalist Wil Loyal visited older songs and shared new ones as a cello and an accordian resonated behind the melody. Laced with the honesty of folk music, Homemade Knives made the sentimental evening sweet, soothing and hilarious. With charming humility Loyal equated his break from performing to a break from dating. The crowd erupted with laughter when Loyal proclaimed, “I am a much better kisser than this, I swear.” Regardless of his disclosure, the Listening Room was infatuated with Homemade Knives. A song that specifically caught my attention was “These Mice & These Flies &These Ants”. Driven by piano, the harmonies of Loyal and his wife moved throughout an evocative chorus that sent chills down my neck. The night unfortunately had to end, but it made me very excited to hear more from Brown Bird, Homemade Knives and the Listening Room.