By Donte Kirby
Juana Molina and Arc Iris put on an impressive show at Boot & Saddle Thursday night.
Boot & Saddle is a cozy bar on the end of the block set between a Chinese store and a thrift store. A bar that if it weren’t for the giant cowboy boot sticking out the front you’d hardly notice it was there. That night, Arc Iris and Juana Molina fans found it and packed the venue to the brim.
Arc Iris went on first; a five piece that included a viola and trumpet, to say the least. The microphone stands were adorned with floral wreaths, the stage was bathed in various colors, sometimes orange, others a darker shade of blue, depending on the song. One of the band’s pianist had finger lights on his hands. The show was as much a joy for the eyes as it was for the ears.
Arc Iris has a cabaret/jazz infused sound, filled with eclectic melodies best exemplified by the last song of their set, “Swimming”, from their self-titled recently released album. The song was met with a heartfelt applause and some pleads for an encore.
The venue was full for Arc Iris, but when Juana Molina finally graced the stage, sardines in a can had more breathing room. Juana Molina showed a veteran comfort on the stage and the crowd was riding her energy the whole night. Whether fans knew the material from WED 21 or not, they enjoyed the show all the same.
The stampede that filed out at the end of the night looked satisfied. Longtime fans were eager to meet with Juana Molina after the show. I’m sure fans that left the Boot & Saddle that night left hoping they won’t have to wait another five years to see Juana Molina play.
