Great Northern @ The Bowery Ballroom
The crowd that greeted Great Northern last night at The Bowery Ballroom was quiet and modest. Vocalist and keyboardist Rachel Stolte introduced herself, and I commented on the strength of their new record Remind Me Where The Light Is. As I watched fellow guitarist/vocalist Simon Bixler set up his impressive rack of guitar petals and effects, Fishpork received a tweet from Great Northern indie label Eenie Meenie Records that read “Awww . . . You’re (at) the show. We’re jealous.” “Jealous” is certainly an accurate word for anyone not able to make it out to see this band play in one of the best venues around. This show was the third on their current tour, and it did not take long for the band to win over the crowd.
While Stolte’s keyboards are prominent on the record, she plays guitar alongside Bixler for this tour, accompanied by bassist Michael Regilio, touring keyboardist Marissa Micik and Dusty Rocherolle on drums. With the dueling vocals and guitars, Great Northern played almost every track off their new record. The natural interplay between Bixler and Stolte’s unique layering of the male and female vocals gives their live performance the depth and breadth that few bands can achieve. With such a large guitar effects rack some guitarists can drown out the vocals, yet Bilxer uses his with subtle mastery. 
His warm guitar tones and the transonic keyboards round out a sound worthy of tremendous praise.
Great Northern’s performance was as tight as the record, and the raw power of songs like “33,” “Numbers,” and “Warning” (one of my favorite tracks of the year) came across live brilliantly. The 45-minute set was squeezed between openers Eulogies and headliners The Dears. Their sound was polished and mixed to perfection. Great Northern is not a studio band, and they made this clear last night. The band is ready for that next step that is undoubtedly before them. With one of the best records of the year in their pocket and an impressive live set, this band is ready to burst into the spotlight. It is well deserved.
http://www.greatnorthernmusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/greatnorthern
http://www.eeniemeenie.com