. : : October 9th, 2011 : : .
When Folly and the Hunter took the stage as Rebekah Higgs‘ opening act at the Drake Underground, I wasn’t sure just what to expect. The group seemed like a random mash-up of ages and ethnicity — an unusual arrangement, unfortunately, that left me without a clear, previously established measuring stick.
Seconds into the first song, Raising The Dead, it was clear that a new bar would have been set this night regardless. In spite of the leaning youthful sliding scale of band members, everyone played with an astonishing amount of mastery, each of the members showing absolute technical proficiency at two or three instruments, each looking and sounding like seasoned veterans.
Lush arrangements and beautiful instrumentation informed their particular brand of folk music, bringing together guitars (acoustic, electric, and bass), violins, pump organs, banjos, keyboards and more that seemed to flourish and bloom anew with each passing track.
The consistently down tempo selection of songs might have been challenging to some, but those who were patient were well-rewarded with a handful of tracks from their recently released entirely independent album, Residents, and a selection of brand new songs as well. Without introduction, there is no immediately discernible differences in theme nor style between the two batches of songs, but with a talent as clear as was presented in the band’s premiere performance on a Toronto stage, the consistency is quality, and more than welcome.
I’m excited to hear more from Folly and the Hunter. Their brief set showed a spark of undeniable brilliance, the product of a perfect combination of absolute talent and enthusiastic passion, and I hope the new year finds them new reasons to justify many more visits Toronto from their hometown of Montreal.
01. Raising The Dead
02. [banter]
03. Cost
04. [banter]
05. Traffic
06. [banter]
07. Ghost
08. [banter]
09. Tragic Care
10. [banter]
11. Distance
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Thanks to Folly and the Hunter, Rebekah Higgs, and the Drake Underground for a triumphant evening.
