Horse Feathers - Club Deville (SXSW 2009; Mar. 18, 2009)

text: James Mundy / photos: Joshua Bean

Our image viewer requires Macromedia Flash. Get Macromedia Flash. If you have Flash installed, click to view gallery

The Horse Feathers prepared for an intimate show at the Bitch Magazine/Kill RockStars day party, lining up all four band members, a plethora of stringed instruments, a bass drum, snare and highhat, and a tiny xylophone on only half of the stage.  But even with all the strings plugged in and the earplugs out, the folksy, understated sound was frustratingly drowned out by occasional feedback and later, thumping bass and general pandemonium from above on the Mohawk Patio. 

Nevertheless, Justin Ringle’s subtle voice and fingerpicking---complemented by glowing cello, meandering fiddle lines, unobtrusive percussion, and occasional banjo and mandolin---still captivated the crowd.  This is quiet but powerful music, and when the strings build and Ringle’s voice rises in chorus, there is nothing that can drown this band out.

DOWNLOAD: Horse Feathers - Curs in the Weeds (MP3) or Follow us for more Horse Feathers MP3s (Twitter)

Horse Feathers review to your liking? You'll sweat:

4 comments thus far ...

  1. 1nk Thu Mar 19, 2009 | 06:58 pm

    Hey who’s that cool photographer you can see kneeling down in the front in #9!
    the show looked great!

  1. 2marion Thu Mar 19, 2009 | 07:16 pm

    hi james! hi horse feathers!

  1. 3rbm Fri Mar 20, 2009 | 12:30 pm

    Way to shine a light here!  Quality work as always guys.

  1. 4rrr Fri Mar 27, 2009 | 12:17 pm

    hey, no one told me james was gonna be there! totally calling bs on this whole “me not being at sxsw” thing.

leave us a comment:





song battle!!!

Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.

Twin Shadow - Five Seconds
vs.
Grimes - Be A Body

Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…

by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête

Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.

by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête

I’m dying to see him no better place than FETE!!

by Telly on Tue May 15, 2012 at 02.57 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!

Sound does matter. Viva Le Fete!

by Auquanetta on Tue May 15, 2012 at 01.13 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!

YES! i MUST go to this show! i was just strollin down the street the other day and saw the poster! SO stoked they’ll be in town.

by Jaz on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.30 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête

Fete Forever!!

by Tabitha on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.08 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!

Congratulations and thank you to Fete for bringing talent to Providence! We needed this venue and vibe. Bless.
oh and I’d love to win tickets; its my boyfriends bday:D

by Ellen on Mon May 14, 2012 at 07.23 am from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!

Melophobe is a concert review and concert photography website reviewing indie-rock, folk, hip-hop and more. Below are addresses to which you can send inquiries:

Advertising

advertising@melophobe.com

Editorial

editor@melophobe.com

Website

webmaster@melophobe.com

melophobe sponsors
Connect To melophobe