Nashville – The Sea The Sea is the brainchild of Mira Stanley and Chuck E. Costa. A new folk music duo promoting their debut album Love We Are We Love, I had the great pleasure of seeing them on one of the last nights of their tour before they headed home to Connecticut. After actively touring up and down the East Coast for the last few months, it’s no wonder that this group has already gained nearly 3,000 fans on Facebook.

Witnessing these two play together was a great time for every person in The Basement. Stanley and Costa have a chemistry that is always a joy for fans to witness, often singing seemingly to just one another as if the crowd was not present. This did not mean that the people watching felt alienated. If anything, it made us feel honored that we were able to witness such an intimate musical experience. The duo have voices that go so smoothly together that it was if they were made for one another, and even Stanley’s speaking voice is soothing and relaxed. If the two were nervous to be playing in a Nashville venue, it certainly never showed.

In addition to the fact that Stanley and Costa seem to have an unspoken, deep connection on stage that they graciously shared with us, The Sea The Sea presents a unique two-person band that I found to be refreshing. No one else jumped up on stage to play percussion or guitar or bass – Stanley and Costa had it taken care of.

Mira Stanley has the remarkable skill to play percussion, guitar, sing, and at times use her boots as a time-keeping measure. Stomping her footwear on the stage floor, it was loud enough to create the impression that drums were being beaten. I genuinely enjoyed her using her feet as an instrument. I have seen many musicians tap their foot simply due to the fact that he or she was in the musical spirit, but to physically use your feet as a musical piece was extraordinary.

Meanwhile, Chuck Costa, impressive on the guitar, banjo, and with his voice, dazzled us with switching out instruments as easily as if he was changing shirts. The folky, calm way in which they keep the audience musically grounded and at ease is beautiful and charming. I was just impressed with how The Sea The Sea was able to keep an audience entertained without loud rock-and-roll instruments. It was such a humble duo. Costa and Stanley seemed genuinely grateful to be on stage at The Basement. The place was packed with people to the point that no seats were open; this is an amazing feat given that The Sea The Sea isn’t even from the area.

The Sea The Sea are finishing up their tour to promote their palindrome-happy debut album, Love We Are We Love, but have no fear. They plan to pick back up on performing later this month throughout the East Coast. Get the tour dates here. 

Photo By Amy Volchok