In a crowd where “set change” is synonymous for almost all with “smoke break,” a rare moment of hollow space allowed me to see and appreciate the space I was in: a low ceiling using burlap coffee sacs as its acoustical installation, a stage backdrop of unintentionally floral curtains and a cement floor soon to be re-covered by the miscellaneous shoes of post-teen youths stuck as, regardless of gender, 16-year-old boys.
This could only be a venue and audience for a night of proclaimed folk-punk – a coming-of-age genre for those who have long since come of age. And that it was — the Heartland in Seattle’s University District hosted Plan-It-X-Records and Bloomington, Ind. favorites Ghost Mice and supporting northwest bands Living Rheum, Your Heart Breaks and (originally from Georgia) Theo Hilton.
A Ghost Mice live performance truly illustrates how a few people without substantial song-writing talent can somehow get together and make shockingly wonderful music. It wasn’t the kind of show, nor is it the kind of music, that would make anyone focus too, too deeply on musicianship. Instead, it was the kind of show that was almost more enjoyable to watch the ownership of this music in each audience member’s experience. Whether it was soulfully shouting along to fan-favorite “Up the Punx” or just smiling quietly along to a personal-favorite each song obviously felt like just their own.
Ghost Mice seemed humbly aware of their effect on an audience and are just as appreciative of fans as fans are of them. The band played songs of thankful homage to the friends made while on the road; after what I’m sure are countless shows, it still had the air of a personal thank you to each and every one of us for being there and for supporting the music.
While the most noteworthy contribution of this show was this audience-artist relationship, let’s talk music for a moment. Chris Johnson and Hannah Jones were so wholly a pair that even musical missteps and the vulnerability of a live performance couldn’t shake their union. It was wonderful to witness. It was also wonderful to hear that Jones’ speaking voice is very similar to her singing voice. Her cheery, iridescent vocals came through precisely in her presence and made the band just that more relatable in the live setting. Her darling artwork featuring antagonistic bread products (see All We Got is Each Other photo) is also just too fitting.
Living Rheum, Theo Hilton (drummer of Defiance, Ohio and fearless leader of Nana Grizol) and Your Heart Breaks opened for Ghost Mice and only furthered an evening a stellar audience-driven live music. With Ghost Mice, these bands created an experience reminiscent of high school house shows and the first discovery of musical companionship. Well played by all, well danced by all, well done by all.
