The Horde and the Harem EP Release Party at Tractor

Seattle – Many turned out to Tractor Tavern on Saturday night to celebrate the release of local favorite The Horde and the Harem’s new EP Fairweather Friends. It was a night filled with great music, dancing, camaraderie, and costumes made from Goodwill bed sheets.

The Horde and the Harem took the stage with a palpable giddiness over the release of Fairweather Friends. A collective of musicians led by founding member, vocalist and guitarist Ryan Barber, The Horde and the Harem’s lineup has changed since its 2009 beginnings. Fairweather Friends, which was recorded in Barber’s basement over the winter,is the first EP under the current lineup, which includes Geoff Kirkby Tatro on bass and vocals, Hanna Stevens on vocals and keys, Jesse Skorupa on percussion and samples, Justin Ellenson on percussion and drums, and Larson Haakenstad on guitar and vocals.

Opening with “Robbery,” the first track off the EP, bright guitars, rolling drums, and sunny vocals was a strong kick-off. My personal favorite song, “Shiver,” was up next. The beautiful back-and-forth vocals between Barber and Stevens tell a story: “He washed his face and put his clothes away/ He walks the house in endless misery/ But the children know, when they hear music in the hall/ they must listen close/ It’s the man who lost his heart.”

It’s this thoughtful, melancholic, and regretful storytelling that showcases the band’s maturity in songwriting. Stevens’ soaring harmonies along with the anthemic group vocals and instrumental breakdown into Barber’s simple, easy close of “Tell me, do you shiver in the morning?/ Tell me, do your hands hurt in the evening? Someone else is living in your thoughts/ Your dreams are not forgotten, they’re just lost,” gave me chills that did, in fact, make me shiver.

The Horde and the Harem slowed things down with “Magician’s Hat,” on which Barber adopted a clean falsetto and was backed with fuzzy distortion and atmospheric “Ooh’s.” Transitioning into a more island vibe, Barber broke out the ukulele for “Salutations,” a simple toe-tapping, finger-snapping tropical ditty.

To introduce the EP’s eponymous track, band members started to pass out homemade birdlike costumes, complete with masks and wings (check out the record’s cover to see the inspiration). Barber proudly announced they were crafted out of bed sheets from Goodwill – though apparently it’s taboo. “When you buy sheets from Goodwill, they’re like, ‘What are you doing?!’” he explained.

The costumes contributed to the lingering tropical feel, with a touch of psychedelia, of “Fairweather Friends,” as audience members floated around the front of the stage with their arms spread, a tangible spirit of peace, love, and togetherness in the air.

“A Girl He Once Knew,” the “last track” (stay tuned) on the EP, had pleasant, catchy vocals that culminated in a jam session with great layers and elements from each musician. A sample saying, “And now the music is gone. No music anymore,” teased the audience as Barber invited the night’s previous acts onstage to perform the EP’s secret track, “Love You Like You Was Born.” Plenty of hand-clapping, foot-stomping, and folky vocals on this stripped-down tune rounded out the night beautifully.

Helping to set up the indie pop/rock theme before the night’s main act was Bellingham’s Learning Team. Having recently announced “an extended and possibly permanent hiatus” on their Facebook page last week, the brilliant performance was slightly overcast with sentimentality at it being their last Seattle show. The quintet played their hearts out for their fans – many of whom came down from Bellingham – who were singing along. The mature lyrics and folk-pop melodies were beautifully enhanced by cellist Alex Vlahosotiros, adding another dimension to their sound.

Prior to Learning Team was self-described “electro-Americana” band Brite Lines, a group whose sound is similar to that of Modest Mouse and Future Islands, and vocals reminiscent of The Avett Brothers and even Buddy Holly. Unexpected drum patterns, intricate harmonies, and earnest lyrics, combined with the natural charisma exuded by frontman Zach Gore, made for an unforgettable performance. Adding to that the musicians’ impressive abilities to seamlessly transition between instruments, Brite Lines solidified themselves as an emerging band in Seattle’s music scene.

Kicking off the celebration was Patrick Foster + The Locomotive, an 8-piece group comprised of Northwest natives. A smart blend of folk, country, and indie rock, the intimate setting was perfect for showcasing the band’s diverse yet cohesive sounds.

For more on The Horde and the Harem, and to stream Fairweather Friends in full, visit here.

Caitlin Peterkin

Caitlin Peterkin

Caitlin Peterkin is a Seattle transplant fresh from the Midwest. She owes her passion for music to her parents, who filled the house with artists from The Beatles to The Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel to Carly Simon, and Jackson Browne to Michael Jackson. One of her favorite memories includes being presented with her mom’s original vinyl copy of Sgt. Pepper when she got her first record player.

With degrees in journalism and music, Caitlin’s written for Paste Magazine, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and MajoringinMusic.com. She loves cheese, laughing at GIFs of corgis, road trip sing-alongs, and connecting with people over good beer and good music.
Caitlin Peterkin

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