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Newcomers Home : @ the Mint
Take the worldly funk sound of Rusted Root, add in some Dave Matthews Band, and finish it off with a combination of Latin influences and Celtic beat - these sounds all come together to create Newcomers Home, one of the fastest rising Boulder, Colorado-based bands to date. Katie Herzig (lead vocals, guitar, percussion), Tim Thornton (vocals, mandolin, harmonica, banjo), and Andrew Jed (vocals, guitar) form the band's core, having begun planting their musical roots in the dormitories at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Expanding to incorporate additional musicians, including Laurie Momary (sister of LA-based acoustic guitarist Rob Momary) on fiddle and vocals, Scott Bugher on bass, and Tom Germain on drums, Newcomers Home broke out of the college band scene and started making a name for themselves in their larger community - quickly. They have since quit their day jobs, focusing solely on their musical endeavors and doing justice to the meteoric success of their two CD releases by bringing a vibrant and raw energy to their live national tour. At The Mint on the night of July 18, they proved that just because a band doesn't come from the glam and glitz of LA doesn't mean they don't know how to wow a Hollywood crowd.
When Newcomers Home took the stage, it was clear the crowd didn't know what to expect. Although they have received attention nationally, from NPR to local stations around the country, they had yet to make their mark on the LA scene. Their first song, "Fade", starts out slowly and quietly, with Herzig's captivating vocals pouring out in absolute clarity, reminiscent of Sarah McLaughlan's pitch perfection. Although the song has a quiet start, the other five band members poised to play, the bongo drums, and the interconnected spirit that palpably exists between the musicians does not escape the audience's attention. All of it is a hint of what's to come - and as the melody escalates, it's as if the music suddenly explodes. The drums kick in, the fiddle comes alive, the mandolin breaks out…and the jaws drop. Not only the Celtic/folk music itself, but also the pure passion of the band is infectious. They aren't "working a gig" up there - they are having fun. In fact, all this musical exuberance is nearly in danger of drowning out Herzig's ethereal songbird vocals, but a balance is restored almost immediately. "Fade" ends with an energetic surge, which is swept into the next piece, "Lowland", a musical exploration of instruments and sounds helped along by the crowd's enthusiastic clapping. Herzig palms a bongo drum with gusto, while Momary's fiddle solo is mesmerizing. This piece is an awe-invoking standout of the night. In the midst of the LA musical environment, which so predominantly leans towards the punk and harder rock genres, Newcomers Home does stand out. It's obvious they aren't from here - from their musical style to their personal expression, even from their clothes to their down-to-earth dialogue with the audience, this is a band that clearly comes from a less image-ridden environment and is more propelled by individuality. And (sorry LA), it's a breath of fresh air.
Their third song, "You Know It's Gone" returns to a slower pace, a comfortable transition from their more unrestrained second song. Momary and Herzig, both on vocals, produce a beautiful harmonious texture. Thornton's wielding of the harmonica also adds another musical layer. With this band, there are no insignificant moments. Every instrument being played at every second is crucial, and creates a sound that is gorgeous and rich, yet not overdone. A meandering guitar and mandolin ease into "Love". As Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls go together, so do Herzig and Momary. Their interwoven vocals provide layers of beauty, and the subtle mandolin accompaniment by Thornton is delicious.
"Drive" and "Night Falls" follow, and along with a melodic guitar solo from Jed in the first song, both really highlight Momary's talent. For "Drive", she grabs the reins on lead vocals and in the next song, on both vocals and fiddle, all eyes are transfixed on her. She proves herself a phenomenally talented musician, and a valuable asset to this band.
"Free for Awhile" spotlights a slow fiddle and a kicking harmonica solo, offering up one of the most beautiful songs of the evening. Herzig's voice soars over her musical accompaniment in chill-producing, absolute perfect pitch. The influence of the Dave Matthews Band really comes into focus in "Hold On", with an almost maniacal fiddle display that leaves the listener breathless. A drum flourish finishes it off and a bluesy, moseying guitar opening by Jed jumpstarts "Something in the Wind". Jed and Thornton "talk" to each other through their instruments; the guitar questions, and the mandolin responds. It's as if they are having their own private conversation - and then competition, as the instruments seem to take on a life of their own and try to outperform each other. Herzig's mastery of the bongo drum is matched by her vocals, and she is somehow simultaneously able to deliver them both flawlessly. The ending is tight, with the main percussion, bongo drum, and guitars all concluding vigorously in sync.
Newcomers Home signs off tonight with an Irish jig piece, "November", that wants the tables gone and the dancing begun. Again, Momary shines on the fiddle, and the lack of vocals enables the crowd to throw itself completely into the music. The volume of the audience's cheers at the end of the band's set is a testament to the charm and purity that they possesses. As they continue to play to an ever-increasing national audience, Newcomers Home can only expect to get bigger and - well, it's hard to image they could get any better than this.
For more information, log onto www.newcomershome.com. Grab one of their two CDs, "In The Hour" and "Miles From St. Louise", and then check them out live to see the sparks fly.
Article by: Jenn Cassie
Submitted: August, 2003
Artist Website: www.newcomershome.com
Email: jennc@thelamusicscene.com
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