The double bill of Leland Sundries and Dan Kaplan kicked off their week-long tour last Sunday in Somerville, Mass (for those non-New Englanders read: Boston). I was one of many in the packed, dimly lit, and raptly attentive room: a perfect setting for an evening of intellectual and evocative musical storytelling.
Leland Sundries front-man, a Shore Fire staffer, Nick Loss-Eaton effortlessly wove stories of Americana, of slide trombones and cantankerous lovers, armed with his resonator guitar, banjo, harmonica, kazoo and megaphone (yeah, that’s right, megaphone), occasionally joined by a guitar-soloing Kaplan. Everything from Dylan covers, to melancholia, to rousing sing-alongs followed, effectively keeping the audience on its toes.
The adorable and folk-rocking Kaplan followed, filling the stage with friends. Adding to his acoustic guitar were steel guitar, violin, banjo and backing vocals, creating a lovely, laid-back set. Fresh off the release of a new LP, Year of the Swallowtail, Kaplan gave us elegies and romps alike, all with the warmest of harmonies.
Last stop for these two troubadours will be Brooklyn’s own Parkside Lounge this Sunday. If last Sunday was any indication, this a show not to be missed!
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