About forty friends gathered in a chilled out Rowan House (ROHO) lounge on the sixth floor of The Candy Factory coworking and social club. A slowcore mix eased out of the sound system, while candles and table lamps provided the dimly lit ambience. The stage was set for two sets of music for our first listening room showcase on the ROHO Stage.
As everyone settled in for an evening of music, our friends Chris and Gabe, aka Sirens and Sunsets, took the stage for a lovely set of atmospheric songs that mixed their own compositions with tastefully reinterpreted covers. The tracks layered dual guitars, plenty of effects, and vocal harmonies, establishing a perfect vibe for listening to every nuance of the sound they created.
After a short break to stretch and refresh drinks, the audience reconvened. We took the stage with a few subtle but important variations to our typical power trio rock approach. Erik traded the electric bass for an acoustic guitar (save for two songs where he played an acoustic bass). Brent swapped his sticks for pro rods, that live somewhere between sticks and brushes and are perfect for lowering the volume. I picked up my acoustic guitar for our own dual guitar interpretation of the set we’ve been playing over the past six months.
We swapped out the upbeat “Nothing” with “Woman in Anguish”, the latest addition to our repertoire. That song had been a staple for me for my college years and the couple that followed, as it fit very nicely into the acoustic-based, college rock and post punk sound I was really leaning into at that time. I let it go 30 years ago. I’ve been surprised at how much I enjoy playing it these days.
Overall the set, and the show, was extremely successful. Both sets of music were extremely well received by a curious and attentive listening room audience, and the room sounded fantastic. I’m inspired and hoping to do another one next year.