She's Kind of A Big Deal
A local show at the Bing Crosby is kind of a big deal, as Karli Fairbanks says “It costs to play here... but you guys made it happen.” Last night was a place where every kid who has ever been to a local show (no matter what kind of music you indulged your ears with) should have been at. It was the CD release show for Karli Fairbanks with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and Kaylee Cole. The night was complete with three very talented bands/artists that filled the Bing with beautiful sounds.
Kaylee Cole took the stage first with her fancy pink shirt and she instantly lit up the room before she even sat down at the piano. When she started to play and sing I was surprised, she has a unique pretty voice and her piano playing followed right behind her vocals. Her lyrics were strong and serious but the piano almost made her whole set seem whimsical and innocent. In between songs she would say little things here and there, she had a lot of spunk and was witty and funny. At one time Kaylee says “Third is turd with the very hairy chest,” soon following with a “I don't think that is appropriate for the Bing Crosby,” ... “But I made up for it by wearing a pretty shirt!” Her personality really lightened up the room and she was a great way to start the evening. “Uncertain World” is my favorite song by Kaylee, there is something about the notes on the piano that wrapped my mind up into the song, and I do think we live in a uncertain world. She ended her set with “Once you buy Karli's first CD, and her New CD, and if you have lots of money you should buy mine!” Then Karli joined her on stage for her last song “Your War.” Kaylee has a show coming up next week, go check her out ... she's a great find in the Spokane music scene.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful was up next, and this was my second time seeing them! I love them! I think they need to open up for Death Cab yep, you guys should work on that with their promoter. I like this Indie Folk boy band because they have this simple pretty sound. When they took the stage they warmed up with the crowd with “Isn't this a cool place, I am surprised you're not at the Cannibal Corpse Show...” everyone giggled. Cannibal Corpse was playing next door at the Knitting Factory. I like how the bass player was barefoot on stage, the whole band was relaxed and that came through in their music. My two favorite songs during their set were “Old Man Winter” and “The Passage.” I love “The Passage” because you get to snap along and crowd participation rocks. “Old Man Winter” has a great story behind it and a cool breakdown. Kaylee Cole poked fun at Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful calling them rude (she was just kidding) and the boys poked back with “I learned from Kaylee Cole that you need to shrug your shoulders and squeak Thanks after every song.” It was cool that the bands knew each other and were able to have a little fun. While the singer was tuning his guitar the keyboard player chimed in “Well after you buy both of Karli's CD's and Kaylee's, I'd say you could buy ours but we ordered 100 and we're sold out.” They must be doing something right! Check these boys out when you can they are talented and really enjoyable to listen too and watch.
 When Karli took the stage she was joined by two backup singers, the gentleman that produced her album, her mom, her brother, and her band. It was almost like she took the recording studio from her new album and put it on the stage. A drum set, peddlesteel, electric guitar, bass guitar, piano, acoustic guitar, accordion, maraca's, mini xylophone, and one ukulele sprinkled the stage of the Bing Crosby. Karli mentioned that this album was a lot different from her first album, and I was excited to hear her new music. I was blown away by her performance within the first few songs. It is indie alt-country, and as Matty notes she is like a different version of Neko Case. I loved that she had everyone on stage with her, her brother played the guitar in the band and her mom joined in on a few songs playing the clarinet. You could tell Karli was excited about the new album and so was the crowd. There is only one song on the album with a ukulele and she lined up everyone on stage so they could snap along as just Karli sung and played – the crowd joined in too. I felt like I was watching her album being recorded, her set was really cool to watch and it's something you probably aren't going to see again ... at least until her next album comes out. Many of the people on stage moved around on vocals and instruments and solo's. I thought it was so cool that they gentleman who produced her album sat on stage with everyone and just enjoyed the music and shook maraca's every other song or so. Karli had an all girl moment with her mom and two back up singers and it sounded beautiful she was on the piano, her mom on clarinet and the two girls following Karli with sweet simple notes of music. I am glad that I got to see this performance, I think it is a huge deal and I think Karli will go far with her musical career. She is talented, charming, and a great musician. It was Karli's birthday last night too so as a belated Birthday present go pick up her new album titled “The Breaking of Our Days,” it's available on her Myspace!
Check out all our photos from the show HERE!
Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com |
