Show review: Low, Gaberdine at Lincoln Hall, 4/21

Posted by Andrew Hertzberg

Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker of Low

Oh, the joy of another windy, rainy, is-it-still-really-this-cold April night in Chicago. But given the ambiance, I can’t think of two better bands to have checked out at Lincoln Hall last night than Low and Gaberdine.

Chicago’s own Gaberdine started off with their lyrically strong brand of indie-folk. Lead singer Mark Federighi showed off his pipes, affecting a falsetto akin to Justin Vernon, while songs like "1918" appropriated a historical setting a la Colin Meloy. Aside from drums, bass and keys, the backing band consisted of a trumpet and cello, adding a warmer feeling to the often darker lyrical tones. Glockenspiel, harmonica and even a toy piano solo took their place as well. The band released a full length When We Land earlier this year, available on bandcamp (with "Run, Rabbit," one of my favorites from the set, available as a free download). 

Low’s signature minimalist sound was apparent before they even took the stage, with a simple setup including a guitar, bass and keys; the drums consisted of not more than a snare, a floor tom and two cymbals, one adorned with screws to further accentuate the decay. Accordingly, thus did things minimally begin. A spare recorded drumbeat and handclaps opened up "Breaker," the lead single off 2007’s Drums and Guns. Despite the sparse sound of the band, lead singer and guitarist Alan Sparhawk showed a magnificent amount of passion and energy, a strong force within a subdued craft. Behind the nearly skeletal drumkit was Mimi Parker adding the second half of the vocals.