The music of The Family Crest is something out of a storybook or opera. The lyrics are those of a wandering lovesick troubadour of centuries past and the music is something that exists when classical musicians write indie-rock.
Fans of the Decemberists, the Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens and Beirut, listen up! The Family Crest is a combination of the best these bands have to offer: romantic poetry, gorgeous and intricate instrumental and choral arrangements, inspired performance presence and community music-making. If you’re looking for an electric guitar solo, look elsewhere. But if soaring trumpet lines, operatic French vocals, heavy percussion and drinking song refrains sounds enticing, read on.
We all have opportunity to join them; over 100 people appear on the first full-length album “The Village.” At live shows, the band invites a chorus of folks to sing from the audience. During the sold out CD release at Café du Nord on January 22, I heard a chorus of trained voices singing harmonies from the floor; it took me a few songs to realize what was going on. The effect was like an off-stage opera chorus.
Liam McCormick’s voice is itself an impressive instrument, easily sliding in and out of a falsetto that would make any male singer jealous, while at the same time mastering the dynamic intensities of quiet as well as screamingly loud.
The core of seven band members consists of three string players: Owen Sutter on violin, Sarah Dabby on viola and Lucas Chen cello. At the CD release the band was joined by an additional violinist, creating a full string quartet. The effect was a wall of sound.
The Family Crest was just placed third on the Deli SF Bay Area Best Emerging Artist of 2010, no doubt due to their extended family of fans and performers. Another testament to their extended family is that they are yet another kickstarter.com success story, raising 13K for “The Village.”
Their next show is at the Bottom of the Hill on March 5, opening for Megan Slankard at her CD release. This show will sell out, so grab your tickets ASAP.
Click for tickets, $10, all-ages.
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