Show Preview: Indigo Wild, She Bears, Orson Fronteir
Casa Cantina
Saturday, March 29, 2014
By Megan Fair, Copy Editor
Another Fest weekend?! If you’re getting sick of watching basics upchuck black vomit before 2 p.m. while some guy in a “Turn Down For What” tank does a keg stand, perhaps you’d best stay in all day and rest for some wholesome, ACRN-hosted, fun-by-night musical entertainment at Casa Cantina featuring Orson Frontier, Indigo Wild and She Bears beginning at 10 p.m.
Orson Frontier is a four piece composed of keys/accordion/vocal expert Isaac Jordan, bassist Matthew Hill, drummer Jacob Jordan and guitarist and lead vocalist Aaron McGiffin. McGiffin and Hill’s last band may have been all about grunge and throwing down, but now the pair, joined by the Jordan brothers, has focused its energy into creating music inspired by the likes of The Avett Brothers and The Decemberists. Expect hand clapping, foot stomping folk music to really get the crowd going.
Regarding the inspirations behind the very personal, real-life experience lyrics, McGiffin’s lips are sealed. “I really try to stay away from giving too many details on what the songs and material are about because I feel it takes away what the listener could get from it,” said McGiffin. “I want people to feel however they want after hearing one our songs, and I want it to mean what they want it to mean to them.”
McGiffin wouldn’t reveal much about their recent recording endeavors, but he did admit that they have been working in the studio on its debut release which is due out soon. The man loves being cryptic; when asked what Casa dish best represents them, McGiffin offered a mysterious answer.
“Chimichanga, that’s an easy one. Come to our show and you’ll see why.”
Indigo Wild bassist Chris Carter, on the other hand, was very stark about what Casa dish best represented them. “Six layer dip, for sure. An intense medley of flavors that you’re going to feel all throughout the next morning.”
On the other hand, guitarist Michael Norris felt that the Seasonal Smackdown dessert was a better fit. “Our music can be warm, inviting and soothing like the chocolate brownie, but at the same time can be biting and energetic like the cold and sweet ice cream. The beautiful juxtaposition is the à la mode,” said Norris.
It’s this contrast that makes Indigo Wild a force with which to be reckoned.
Indigo Wild, a band full of musicians with undeniable personality, creates riotously energetic indie rock. The outfit is composed of Carter, vocalist and guitarist and keys musician Garet Camella, drummer Jason Winner and Norris. Most of the band members pitch in vocally, creating a large sound and spacious plains of vocal harmonies.
While the band is in the process of writing a full-length to follow up 2011’s If By Sea, fans will have an acoustic version of album-bound track “Pacific” and will also be performing an acoustic take-away show to be filmed by ACRN at Galbreath Chapel the afternoon of the show. Indigo Wild will be performing another new track: “High Point.”
“Since the beginning of the band, we’ve been highly influenced by intimate, raw “take-away shows” like La Blogotheque and Black Cab Sessions. For us, it’s a fun way to present our music in a different light and give our fans something different. It also allows us to focus on the quiet intricacies of the song,” said Winner.
Garet emphasized how special and monumental this particular Casa show will be to the group and regular Indigo Wild show attendees.
“A lot of our ‘loyal Athens family,’ people who have been coming to Indigo Wild shows since 2011, are actually graduating this year. So this show for me is going to be very special, because it will be my last Indigo Wild show as a college student, too. I think our biggest hope is to keep this Athens energy alive in the coming months/years. Of all places, Athens is a town we can count on to keep the good vibes flowing, even after the people we started playing to are off to live out their own adventures,” said Camella.
Rounding out the line up is She Bears who were recently extensively highlighted in an ACRN feature. The quartet makes bouncy and fun indie pop rock marked by rad guitar tone and constant sonic exuberance. It’s going to be hard not to boogie when She Bears takes the stage. The four members and dear friends, drummer Alex Eiler, bassist Ryan Franz, front man Stephen Pence and guitarist Alex Douglas, have been putting their talents together for over six years. With that level of experience, She Bears set is destined for greatness.
So why dodge piles of plastic cup litter and alcohol-overdosing freshmen when you could be gearing up for 10 p.m. at Casa? For $5 only, enjoy Orson Frontier, Indigo Wild and She Bears and dance the night away.
[1] [2] [3] http://weareshebears.bandcamp.com[4] http://acrn.com/features/feature/?review=120
