The Low Branches, Dead Professional, Jonathan Vassar
Thursday, July 11 at Gallery 5
After hearing nothing but praise for The Low Branches’ 2011 album Sinking, Rising and their January 2013 follow-up, 100 Years Young, I finally got around to seeing the band live on July 11th at Gallery 5.
Local singer/songwriter Jonathan Vassar of Jonathan Vassar & The Speckled Bird opened the show around 8 p.m. He eased into his soothing set, gently strumming his guitar while delivering sad, introspective lyrics interspersed with harmonica playing. His acoustic folk sound and subdued vocals immediately called to mind a cross between Nick Drake and Bob Dylan.
In spite of the melancholy underpinnings of his songs, Vassar chatted amiably with the small crowd. He revealed that his shows usually fit within the timeframe of an EP so the people who don’t like his music won’t get bored and the people who enjoy it will leave the show wanting to hear more. After this announcement, an audience member called out and asked Vassar to play “an EP and a half.” As his set began to wind down, Vassar never departed from the calm, unhurried pacing of his music, which allowed the audience to concentrate on his meditative, eloquently simple lyrics illustrating the worries and troubles of the everyday man.
Harrisonburg-based John Harouff, who performs under the moniker Dead Professional, took the stage next and completely transformed the quiet atmosphere. Harouff’s homemade beats—sharp, prerecorded drum loops—reverberated throughout the venue, accompanied by his rock-and-roll guitar riffs. While Dead Professional’s danceable instrumentals were grungy and upbeat, his earnest vocals echoed Vassar’s contemplative precedent.
Harouff alternated between two microphones, one of which was connected to a vocal processor that created country-style harmonies and lent his songs a folksy flair. With backing vocals to intensify his refrains and added percussion to create a multi-instrumental fullness, the talented Harouff pulled off a set that was surprisingly polished for a one-man show.
The Low Branches—a Richmond band comprised of singer and guitarist Christina Gleixner, guitarist Matthew Klimas, bassist Joshua Quarles, and percussionist Frederic Blasco—finally began their highly anticipated set around 10 p.m. The group opened with a slow-paced song that showcased Gleixner’s gentle, effortlessly soaring vocals. Next they played the slightly more upbeat “Just the Same,” a bittersweet track from 100 Years Young. Its beautiful, lilting chorus captivated the audience, and the crowd murmured its approval as the song drew to a close. The Low Branches deepened their calm, wandering sound, including a handful of darker numbers, powerful refrains, and even a drum roll reminiscent of a war march. Despite differing song structures, the understated guitars and Gleixner’s pure, heartbreaking vocals maintained a calculated cohesion throughout The Low Branches’ set. The band closed with a cover of a Turkish song, and though the lyrics were unintelligible to the English-speaking audience, Gleixner’s woeful tone shed light on the sorrowful, reflective nature of the ballad, which fit seamlessly with the group’s thematic repertoire of love, ageing, and the fragility of personal relationships.
Overall, my only complaint was that the crowd at Gallery 5 was so sparse. However, the show was certainly a treat for the lucky few who attended. When these artists play again, be sure not to miss out on their wonderful performances.
Words by Caroline Creasey
Images by Noma Illmensee