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Oct. 8: Erin McCarley, rising SXSW star, at the Bowery Ballroom
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McCarley's debut album, Love Save the Empty, was released in January
She’s like Vanessa Carlton without the high school complexes, Regina Spektor without the crazy, Aimee Mann without the Canada. But somehow, still, Erin McCarley seems to lack absolutely nothing. Best-known for her song, “Love, Save the Empty” (featured in He’s Just Not That Into You and also the title track to her debut album), the chestnut-haired chanteuse has been picking up gigs, press and speed ever since her break-out performance at last year’s South by Southwest festival.
To catch her while catching her is still only 16 bucks ($14 in advance), head to the Bowery Ballroom this Thursday night. Landon Pigg (think AT&T) will be opening the evening, with help from April Smith & The Great Picture Show. Following these two Indie acts, McCarley will bring a more shimmering pop persona to the stage – one with an alternative streak, a reverberating profundity and an ability to play your heartstrings like a puppeteer.
Don’t let her Grey’s Anatomy and One Tree Hill placements fool you. The reason for McCarley’s primetime TV prevalence is her uncanny ability to capture the lightest to the darkest of emotions. Her songs carry the gravity of a million moons, but also all their whimsy. A musical dichotomy, she has the essence of an angel singing from purgatory.
McCarley’s album is stacked with coming of age tales; or, as her website puts it, documentation of “her search for authenticity in herself and in others.” “Gotta Figure This Out” is a bittersweet ode to facing ones own daunting dreams. “Sleepwalking” is an affront to others’ masquerading and hypocrisy. “Lovesick Mistake” is a wrenching story of love denied.
To someone who hasn’t heard her music, it may feel unfair – a brunette beauty singing such woes when, really, she should have no problem with these earth-bound troubles. But show-goers don’t mind one bit. She speaks to them, singing memories of their own faded flames and un-answered callings – all ghosts summoned by the McCarley’s pithy lyricism and ingeniously uncomplicated, enrapturing songwriting.
Recap: Doors are at 8PM and tickets are $14 in advance, $16 at the door.
For more info: Please visit the Bowery Ballroom's event page. **Please note that this show is 18+.
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