by Jaz Bowens
Sylvan Esso (Amelia Randall Meath from Mountain Man and DJ Nick Sanborn) along with Minor Alps (Matthew Caws of Nada Surf and Juliana Hatfield from Blake Babies and Some Girls) performed at World Cafe Live on Friday night.
The slight rain didn’t stop too many people from coming out and having some food or a drinks while they listened to music. Sylvan Esso and Minor Alps performed behind two sets of double doors, changing what looked like a high school hallway into an intimate lounge. Definitely a little more upscale.
Sylvan Esso hit the stage first, ready to jam with only a DJ setup and a microphone. The first song they played was off of their two song release, Hey Mami / Play It Right. They started with “Play It Right”, sounding great all they way through their short set. Each song was completely different than the last. For only two people on stage, they were able to really put on a show. Both Meath and Sanborn had great energy highlighted by Meath’s voice flowing with every beat and not overpowering the background music. The set ended with “Hey Mami”.
Minor Alps (photo credit, Jaz Bowens)
The next band was similar in set up. Minor Alps- two people and two guitars. That’s all that was needed to fill the air with acoustic delight. This duo sounded so crisp and clean as if you were listening straight from a CD. Standout songs of the evening were “Far From Roses” and “Buried Plans”.
I’m looking forward to hearing more music from both Sylvan Esso and Minor Alps. To see more from Sylvan Esso check them out on their website and like them on Facebook. See and hear more from Minor Alps on Facebook and their website as well.
