Blitzen Trapper lies somewhere between indie rock and bluegrass, “Rubber Soul” and a laid back Stanley Brothers.
The band was brought in as part of the Vilar Performing Arts Center’s Underground Sound Concert Series, designed to bring new music to the valley — and that’s certainly what Blitzen Trapper brought, differing greatly from performers like Vanessa Williams and The Oak Ridge Boys.
A more mellow sound, Blitzen Trapper brought unique musical insights on heartbreak and other life-altering experiences through distinctive lyrics and a low-energy stage presence. Some songs had a touch of a rock edge, which seemed to be the crowd pleasers, others were softer and much more introspective.
What was fascinating about the music — aside from the genre-bending — was the use of generally unused sounds in popular music. Many songs featured harmonica and an electronic theremin-like sound, leaving the songs with a haunting and even old-timey feel.
All of the songs, most of which came from their albums “Furr” and “VII,” were written by the band’s frontman Eric Early, who played guitar and harmonica as well as sang during the show.
The band also contained a bassist, drummer, keyboardist and a second guitarist, providing a well-rounded sound without holes to fill — a tough feat for some indie bands to accomplish.
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While Early’s voice isn’t powerful, it fits well into the indie genre without sacrificing genuine talent, but his real skills shined in his poetic songwriting. His lyrics echoed artists like Billy Joel with a sound completely different from the legend himself.
The Underground Sound Concert Series continues on Thursday with Ensemble Mik Nawooj, an eclectic mix of classical and hip-hop music. Find more information on http://www.vilarpac.org.
