Video from Small Ponds

My friend Alex, who knows more about alt-country than just about anyone around here, had been bugging me about going to see Small Ponds. Finally on Friday I took his advice. Small Ponds, btw, is the new band with Caitlin Cary of Tres Chicas and Whiskeytown, and Matt Douglas from The Proclivities. Before the show I checked out some of the music on their Reverb Nation and Myspace Pages, and thought it was good, but the live show really blew me away. 

Here's video of their cover of Tegan and Sara's "Call It Off". I'm not a Tegan and Sara fan (I actually had to ask Caitlin what song this was), so I have no clue how it stands up to the original. 

Small Ponds from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Friday was also my first time seeing a show at Marsh Woodwinds, which has gained a reputation for booking top-notch alt-country and jazz for early shows in a family-friendly atmosphere. In fact, you should be able to hear at least one baby crying in the video above. It's a great, kitchy little spot for an intimate sit-down show. I'm looking forward to seeing more bands there. 

Video of The Monolouge Bombs and Small Ponds

I'm so used to seeing Scott Philips with the stripped-down guitar-less Goner that it was a little disconcerting to see him with a band that includes two guitars and a cello. But the full-band version of The Monologue Bombs turned out to do Phillips' character-driven vignettes justice without overwhelming them.

The Monolouge Bombs are often compared to The Hold Steady, and I think that's fairly accurate, but I also hear a lot of Billy Joel (as well as some Big Country, which Scott doesn't totally agree with).


The Monolouge Bombs from Mann's World on Vimeo.

I Was Totally Destroying It and The Small Ponds opened for The Monologue Bombs. I missed IWTDI, and only caught part of Small Ponds, which, if you're not aware, is Caitlin Cary's latest band. If you're a fan of Caitlin's and haven't checked them out yet, do so because they are amazing.



The Small Ponds from Mann's World on Vimeo.