Hey everyone! Today's article spotlights an outstanding band that has been around for several years now, but whom I only recently discovered, thanks to Mrs. Radio Dial winning tickets to their show! Hailing from Los Angeles by way of Brooklyn, it's indie pop sensations Lucius!
Formed in 2005, but not releasing their first studio
LP (Wildewoman) until 2013, Lucius' influences range from jangle pop to glam, soul to jazz, and folk to country. Currently a four
piece act, the group consists of guitarist Peter Lalish, drummer Don Molad, and
co-lead vocalists Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe, whom share the same double
sided microphone on stage as they sing.
The concert was held at the Columbus Athenaeum on
Thursday, May 2, a welcome “date night” out for me and the missus. We had been
listening to their songs online to familiarize ourselves with their material
before the show, but nothing could have prepared us for the beauty and class of
their performance.
The set began with “Go Home”, a lovely ballad with a ‘50s pop vibe in which Holly and
Jess declare that they are “your dolly,
stuffed with extra baggage”. This was followed by “Tempest”, a melodic alt-folk number that speaks to the
importance of understanding between partners in a relationship.
Next up was a cover that greatly impressed me, “Right Down the Line”. I bought the
single of the original 1978 Gerry Rafferty version (on a 45), when I was almost
five years old. To hear the gorgeous harmonies of Lucius update this forgotten
pop gem and long favorite of mine, was an absolute delight to my ears.
That was followed with a rollicking rendition of
the Supremes’ 1966 smash “You Keep Me
Hangin’ On”, which managed to incorporate a few bars of the 1995 Edwyn Collins
modern rock hit “A Girl Like You”,
delighting and surprising us all in the audience.
Continuing to channel a Motown vibe, the band
then played their own “Something About You”
from 2016’s “Good Grief”, a soulful
and cosmic up-tempo nugget which I’m astonished wasn’t a breakout hit for the
band. (especially with that crazy music video…)
Other flawlessly performed tracks included “Turn It Around” which involved some
delightful audience participation during the clapping and “ahh-ahh-ahhhhs”, “Two of Us on the Run” (telling the story
of how we made something of ourselves), and the graceful and haunting “Woman”.
The ladies of Lucius then called out friend,
audience member, and fellow indie musician Emily King, (whom would headline the
Athenaeum with her own set the following night), to join them on Lucius’
original “Dusty Trail”, a country
& western styled tune with the wonderful lyrics “A penny for your thoughts would leave me broke”, and a gorgeous rendition
of Elvis’ chestnut “Can’t Help Falling in
Love”. Of all the versions I’ve ever heard of this tune (and it’s been
covered a lot), Lucius and Emily’s reading was the first to give me a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, as the three ladies’ voices
harmonized together like a trio of angels.
Holly and Jess then relocated to one of the
balconies overlooking the stage for the finale, “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes”, the very song Cinderella sings
to her animal friends in Disney’s classic film, at which point it became Mrs.
Radio Dial’s turn to get all misty eyed. (She’s a huge Disney fan…)
Overall, the experience was absolutely amazing.
The ladies’ vocals were exquisite, and at times reminded us of Agnetha and
Anni-Frid of Abba, while the lyrics to their original material reminded me of
Aimee Mann. The band played acoustic stripped-down renditions of their studio
recordings, entrancing all in the audience with their gorgeous, heavenly
melodies. It was a marvelous night, and one that made lifelong Lucius fans out of the wife and I!
Do yourself a favor, and move Lucius to the top of
your list of acts to see live! After you check out “Right Down the Line” and “Something
About You” below, of course!
