Chicago – The holidays tend to halt most tours, making it the perfect time of year for local bands to showcase their talents at larger venues. This was the case for The Way Down Wanderers Thursday night at Lincoln Hall, where the Chicago transplants put on a show for their latest release: a cassette tape! Yep, these guys taking it old school with their love of bluegrass and analog.
The five-piece moved from Peoria, IL this past October, bringing their charming alternative folk-rock to the Windy City. Half-brothers Collin Krause (vocals, mandolin, fiddle, & electric guitar) and Ben Montalbano (vocals, banjo, & keys), along with Austin Thompson (lead vocals & acoustic guitar), John Williams (vocals & upright bass), and John Merikoski (drums, percussion) make up the band that’s been creating a bit of a buzz around these parts. All are trained musicians, who come from various backgrounds filled with rock, bluegrass, jazz, classical and rap, and Montalbano is also an award-winning composer, allowing them to bring a modern take on Americana, as is evident on their debut EP Path to Follow.
When The Way Down Wanderers walked onto the worn wooden stage, people in the audience whistled and shouted welcomes. One young man yelled, “I got your first shot!” The guys smiled warmly, and then started into “Truth Son.” Instantly the room filled with clapping. People tapped their feet to the beats. Girls up front danced around. The Way Down Wanders filled the room with energy, excitement, and a sound comparable to The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons, yet with their own unique twist and Midwestern flare.
Speaking of twists, the guys covered The Strokes’ “Someday.” Montalbano asked, “You guys ready to party?” The room boomed with cheers. People started jumping up and down to the familiar chords. Thompson’s quirky vocals were the perfect fit, but it was the folksy take on the pop-punk tune that really made it a success. You’ve not lived until you’ve heard “Someday” performed with the mandolin, banjo, and an upright bass!
After playing a new tune titled “If I,” the guys thanked the crowd for coming out. Krause exclaimed, “We’re so happy to be headlining Lincoln Hall for the first time!” The show was celebrating the release of the brand new single “Dead Birds,” which was recorded at Shirk Studios in Chicago with Michigan band The Accidentals. The Way Down Wanderers released the single, along with the song “Sweet Morning Vision,” on cassette in an “attempt to resurrect the dead medium.” The band even ordered fifteen old walkman tape players from eBay that they passed out to lucky fans. Of course, the single also comes with a digital download for those not ready to dive fully back into analog.
Before breaking into the title track off their EP, “Path to Follow,” the guys talked about the amazing experience they enjoyed last week, despite Austin Thompson’s hardship. While playing a show in the middle of nowhere, Thompson’s voice went out. Instantly fans picked up where he left off, singing along word for word to the catchy single. This is very impressive seeing they’ve only been around for a year, but it’s definitely a testimony to their talent, hard work, and ability to connect with fans. The band has a polished sound filled with strong vocals and fantastic harmonizing, made all the better with vivid lyrics and powerful instrumentation.
No doubt, fans relate to the jokes and stories told between songs – like Krause’s discussion about the new song “Circles” and learning the hard way not to make the same mistake twice – and the overall warmhearted nature of the band; the latter best displayed in the band’s encore. After loud chants for one more song, The Way Down Wanderers came back out on stage for not one but two more songs! The guys invited opening band Brother George to join them. Everyone crammed on stage for a cover of The Band’s “Ophelia.” Afterward, The Way Down Wanderers made their way onto the main floor, instruments in hand. The audience made a circle around them. Without microphones, they performed the hymn “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” People clapped along to the beat Merikoski made playing spoons on his hands and knees. It was the perfect end to an evening filled with smiles, laughs, and beautiful music.
Chicago band Brother George got the night rolling with their mix of blues, soul, folk, psychedelic rock, and funk. These talented guys are Chicago’s answer to Philly’s Dr. Dog: part jam band, part indie rock, with a 70s Cali vibe and a Chi finesse. When Brother George released their debut EP Big Piney in 2012, local critics bestowed plenty of praise, making the night’s news of an upcoming release all the more exciting. The time between releases has clearly been spent honing their musical chops, so they’re surely bound to create another amazing album. Lead singer Sagan Jacobson said Brother George is currently shopping around for a label but hope to have the album out by February. The guys played some new songs, like “Cheetah,” as well as plenty of oldies and fan favorites, including “Sailor,” “Icicles,” and “Everything That’s Happened,” all while bathed in colorful lights from projections of groovy prints and patterns.
You can keep an eye out for shows and festival appearances near you (including Summer Camp Fest) by following The Way Down Wanderers on facebook and twitter.
Path to Follow is available for purchase on iTunes.
Photos By Sarah Hess
Sarah Hess
After attending The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Sarah went on to study education at Dominican University, earning a degree in history. When not teaching, writing, or taking in a show, she is most likely to be found with a camera to her eye or hanging out in a darkroom.
You can follow Sarah Hess on twitter at @Sarahhasanh and view her music photography on her website: smhimaging.com.
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