The drive down to Providence on May 30th was absolute hell. The on ramp to get onto 95 south was backed up for a good hour and a half due to an earlier crash. After passing that, the skies opened up and surged a river from the clouds onto the black tar. White knuckled, nearly nose to the cold glass of the windshield, I finally made it to Providence and managed to procure a spot directly across from the marquee of the Columbus Theatre where I saw folks that resembled folks I would imagine seeing at one of these shows. My people. I grew anxious for what was inside awaiting me…
I entered the building, recited my name for the lovely young woman manning the admission desk and felt transformed back in time. This, you see, was indeed my first time experiencing this magical place and the show I chose for my cherry breaker was indeed the right one.
Heading up the stair case I was greeted immediately by the night’s star, my friend and fellow songwriting compadre, Will Houlihan aka Haunt the House. Will was decked out in his distinct hat, festooned in delightful hawk’s feathers (ok, maybe not hawks, but some bird of pretty for sure). A big hug and a few words later, I ran into other friends and it felt like a regular old musical reunion with friends I see all too infrequently. The performance space upstairs in the Columbus is like a warm embrace. Its cozy, its inviting, and it’s incredibly intimate. Red casted light with its patterned carpet hanging behind the stage. It feels part burlesue performance space, part speakeasy, and extremely charming. Needless to say, a perfect spot for a CD release for Houlihan and company’s sound.
The first band up was Ol’Factory. They had a real Allman Brothers, 70s dueling guitars, bluesy rock goodness feel to them. They really started the night off on a highnote. Incredible guitar licks, the lead singer, Shea, has one of those voices that can only be sung by a person that has earned that voice. With its distinct rasp and rawness it makes you do a double take. Truly an energetic and soulful performance. They were a very welcome inclusion of the night for my ears.
The next band was a bit more the speed I expected from Will’s CD Release. A bit more of that “haunting waltz” feel to the music of Alec K Redfearn and the Eyesores. Very intriguing music and well thought arrangements. What truly struck me is the sounds that they made come from an accordion. The balance between musicality and words was pretty much even spread, without words being sung for long stretches of instrumental breaks. Honestly, if a caterpillar passed me a pipe of opium during the performance, I wouldn’t have been all too surprised…and probably would have partaken.
Next up was the star of the night. Haunt the House. Made up of some of Providence’s best musicians including some friends of mine, the brainchild of Will Houlihan, has a truly fitting name. Will’s songs are the pinnacle of simplistic beauty and set across the background of the Columbus theatre, this is a show I am not going to soon forget. The band cruised through the new record almost from front to back, but were sure to include my favorite song from Will’s repertoire. That song is “Vampyre” and I am honest in saying I am happy it was so dark in the theatre, because what I was witness too was such a moving experience I was as close to tears as I could be without tasting salt streaming down my cheeks to my mouth. The harmonies and the dynamic of the band on stage was something of magic. Will and the band were all so “in it”…well, his mandolin player was a bit all over the stage, but I think that added to the charm of the band. Everyone on stage was tight, the sound was phenomenal and the vibe was extraordinary.
This will not be a night I ever forget. The BEST night of music that I have taken in, in a very, very long time. Magic, absolute magic.
Purchase the new record over on the band’s bandcamp page: