I had never seen Murder by Death live (apparently I was one of the very few in that category Tuesday night at Vanguard), but I had listened to them quite a bit. I wasn’t prepared.
The five-piece indie rock band from Indiana makes such an ethereal sound live with Adam Turla’s deep and haunting vocals a highlight.
The deep voice sounds amazing on an album and I had made a picture in my head of what it would look like on stage. I was wrong about the visual, but the sound was more than I could have wanted. While his voice -- at times Johnny Cash and others more Bryan Ferry -- sounds like it belongs to someone older, he looks as young and hip as most of the crowd.
Sarah Balliet on the cello added a deep richness to the rock sound that the albums can’t convey as well. Certain songs featured a unique drum kit arrangement, with an old propane bottle used wonderfully, especially in “You Don’t Miss Twice (When You’re Shaving With A Knife),” which sounded like some terrifying and amazing circus ride.
The Vanguard is one of my favorite small venues in Tulsa, and it was great to see a crowd so in to the show, especially on a Tuesday. Most people there were talking about how many times they have seen Murder By Death live and, “Oh man, you haven’t?! Get ready, they’re incredible.”
A special treat was when Oklahoma-native Samantha Crain came on stage to sing with the group on “Lost River” and “Hard World,” which she actually sings on their latest album. Crain’s harmonies were just a treat to an amazing show.
Opening for Murder by Death was Oregon-based Larry and His Flask, and I am still trying to catch my breath. I can’t remember a live show with as much energy as this band had. Their version folk punk music left me in awe. The bassist jumped all over the stage,
taking the bass with him, the drummer stood in the center of the stage, often jumping on top of the bass drum, the singer and guitarist jumped down off the stage and ran through the audience, the banjo player also played trombone.
It was loud and exciting and energetic, but never totally out of control with the sound. The harmonies and vocals were all tight, despite their best efforts otherwise. I had also listened to them before, but I was again not prepared for the stage show they would put on.
Before them was the Tulsa hard rock band Baron von Swagger, a talented group with a lead singer that used every inch of his long hair to headbang. Also full of energy, their hard rock sound livened up the Tuesday crowd quite a bit.
I can now count myself among the group who has seen these bands perform live, and I can't wait to do it again.
Check out my WEEKEND playlist tomorrow (or a sneak peek
here) to listen to a couple tracks from Larry and His Flask and Murder By Death.
Follow Jerry Wofford on Twitter.
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