Nashville – Franklin, Tennessee natives Colony House delivered a hearty homecoming performance to local audiences this past Friday night at Marathon Music Works. The band returned to the south as a part of their tour alongside the South African alternative band Kongos and the indie pop group Sir Sly. The venue, housed in the sprawling Marathon village on the outskirts of downtown Nashville, could hardly contain both the effusive sound Colony House brought to the stage, as well as the expansive crowd that came out on the below-freezing night to see the band live.
Surrounded by exposed brick, concrete floors, and a large, eager audience, the band’s explosive brand of alt-rock filled what little empty space remained on the floor, bounced off the walls, and soared overhead. There’s a reason that Marathon Music Works is a favorite amongst Nashville audiences, as both the visual appeal as well as the acoustic quality of the space stand out as some of the best in Music City. When the house lights shut off, the stage was illuminated with a startling shade of red and Colony House took to the microphone with one of their more emphatic and encouraging cuts, “Keep On Keeping On.” It’s ambitious to lead off with such a high level of energy and maintain that pace throughout the remainder of the set, but Colony House didn’t back down. They were home, after all, and wanted to let us know how good it felt to be back.
In a review of the group’s Los Angeles show last September, Best New Bands wrote that Colony House brought “high-octane energy, clear vocals, and crisp sound” to the stage. Since September, it’s clear that absolutely nothing has changed, as the band commanded their Nashville performance with both energy and an unbreakable confidence. A favorite track off Colony House’s 2014 debut LP, “Caught Me By Surprise,” actually caught even the most devoted fans by surprise—the guitar intro rang so purely crystalline in the large space that it seemed almost unreal. Though this intro slowed the pace ever so slightly, the band picked up again with a steady beat that advanced into a vigorous chorus.
While the band operates with a number of strengths in their arsenal, their lyricism sticks out as one of their most sharpened tools. Colony House has a way of perfectly writing feeling into both music and words but not being too heavy-handed with anything. There’s a patent determination that appears in their on-stage performance, and this is matched by a similar poetic drive within their songs. “Second Guessing Games” might sound a tad lighthearted on the surface (especially for the targeted audience), there’s a deeper persistence here about love, learning, and impatience that speaks to those of us who are uncomfortable and unsure. It’s equal parts hopeful and comforting.
The current tour will conclude in March and in Los Angeles—far from the band’s home. While the local listeners were ecstatic to see Colony House return to familiar turf, it’s clear that coming home similarly boosted the band’s confidence mid-tour. There’s a unique energy and appreciation that exists between musicians and their home audience, and this show was no exception. While Colony House has entered 2015 with a steadily growing fan-base and a continued ascension, those of us in Nashville hope they return for an encore performance of such a special show.
Curious to see where Colony House is going next? Stay up-to-date with the band via Facebook.
Amaryllis Lyle
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