The Black Swans, Megan Palmer - Andyman's Treehouse, 1/4/08

In the first few weeks of the new year, I get a year-end-list hangover in which, after reading countless “Best of” lists, I realize how many great releases and live shows I missed in the previous year. The Black Swans fall into the category of a live act I somehow never saw, but thankfully I remedied the situation Friday night at Andyman’s Treehouse. I then kicked myself repeatedly for missing all those shows.

On the Black Swans latest release, Change!, the atmosphere this trio creates is other-worldly, and that same vibe was present at such an intimate venue in front of a hushed crowd (aside from the spill-over from the pool room). There’s an eerie coolness to the Black Swans’ songs, like being alone in a desert at night. The band takes cues from folk, country and blues to create a pastiche that is gorgeous, spooky, depressing and bare.

The most surprising part of the band’s sound is singer/guitarist Jerry DeCicca’s voice, which rarely rose above a thick-throated whisper. There’s beauty in his unusual, understated delivery. Adding to the eerie feel was Noel Sayre’s moaning Appalachian fiddle, which was as integral to the songs as the vocals. On the last tune, “3 Chord Song,” Sayre showed his mastery of the instrument. Throughout the set, Canaan Faulkner’s unpretentious bass lines and DeCicca’s simple acoustic guitar lines let the mood and words develop naturally.

It’s a rare thing when a songwriter’s lyrics can stand alone as poetry (see collections by Jim Morrison and Jewel), but most of DeCicca’s lyrics can do just that. (Pick up a copy of Change! and listen to “3 Broken Words” and “New Face” for some good examples.) At one point, though, DeCicca stopped a song after realizing he couldn’t remember the words. But, he said, it didn’t matter because “they all sound the same anyway.” There’s some truth to that. The Black Swans don’t exactly mix things up stylistically. But if you can do one thing that well, why veer?

With national press taking notice, it might not be long before we’re pining for the days when we could see the Black Swans at a place like Andyman’s, and the same could be said for Megan Palmer, who preceded the band. In her last Columbus show before a stint in New York, Palmer was accompanied by two fiddlers and an occasional backing vocalist. Like the Black Swans, Palmer’s songs were perfect for the intimacy of this room. The local favorite gave a passionate, inspired performance.

The delivery that sometimes comes across as dull on her most recent record, Take You Away, transformed into something pensive and intriguing live. It’s apparent Palmer’s becoming a seasoned performer, looking right at home on stage (or in the case of Andyman’s, on the ground in front of some Christmas lights). “Matador” showcased her knack for a clever turn of phrase (“I go so quickly from love to liability”) and the dead-on harmonies allowed the emotionality of the song to erupt. She had more jazziness to her voice, as well, especially on “Hair of the Dog.”

I found myself grinning during the set’s closer, “Desperate Housewives,” as Palmer sang, “Desperate housewives make honky-tonk angels when they finally get away,” and as I looked around the room, I noticed I wasn’t the only one.

More pics from the show here.

mp3: The Black Swans - Change
mp3: Megan Palmer downloads at Sunken Treasure