Concert Review: Kolars Make Concerts For The Fans’ Pleasure
As former members of glam-folk band He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister, Rob Kolar and Lauren Brown are a real life married couple/ experimental folk dance duo. The combination is as eclectic and intriguing as it sounds. Sonically, the band thrives in being a “melting pot”of music genres all at once. In songs like “Mystery Train” and “Every Time You Turn Around” there was a country blues drawl that attracted the audience. Yet, in songs like “Let Live Free”, “Sweetwater” and “One More Thrill” they electrified rock n’ roll by adding indie- pop vibrations. The duo is open. honest, and endearing in their blissful aim: to be strange and fantastic. Their creative goal to be musically unique in every way, from sound to performance, is highly refreshing to an industry that can, at times, feel like it is trying to produce copies or a s”tandard of same” in terms of mainstream selection. Hence, their desire to be “strange” is more of a promotion to feel and be in your own, distinguished “specialness”. Thus, on sonic distinction alone, the Kolars stand out as a concert choice for those want to feel safe and encouraged to be themselves to the fullest.
//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.jsKolars might be the rare artist that creates music with the notion/ urge to make it “concert- enlivening”. Their concert is a rejuvenating, fun experience, in part, because from the studio to the live show, Kolars intricately creates song that would elevate the fans’ mood and joy in concert. This may sound like a common idea in the music industry, but it is not. Touring is not easy, and many artists approach concerts like a forced burden. Instead, their personal joy for music is concentrated on their albums, preferring the distance a marketed recording has over an intimate song-session with fans. Thus, they do not really care how their music translates from them in person, i.e. concert. Although I understand their fear/ discomfort because, again, performing live in not easy, Kolars want to perform live, and it is charmingly noticeable. This duo have created a show/ artistry that is purely about entertainment, which makes them a “must-see” pleasantry to concert-lovers and furthers “performing” as their artistic “strong-suit”.
Not every artist can perform live, nor qualify themselves as entertainers. Yes, they can sing and play instrument, but as I mentioned, “epicness” comes from within. The Kolars are epic because absolutely every song sung, instruments played, and beat they concocted is part of their mass scheme to get people happy and dancing. For me, I was deeply moved/ overjoyed to see a pair of noble musicians care so much that I, the concert-goer, was having a good time. It was nice to feel like the artist remembered my love for their music, and decided to reciprocate it by giving a loving performance. Lauren Brown on drums, tap, and overall arrangements was a magnetic force on the stage. As she jumped and pulsed on the drums, I thought I was watching the most kinetic, frenetic energy in purest form. It was as if she was trying to show viewers the natural attraction between music and the soul. Rob Kolar continued to show the deep, spiritual chemistry between human beings and sound, by riffing up vocals that taught listeners that men can have a “diva-like” vocal range. Yes, I know that is a semi-humorus statement, yet when you think of vocal power/ prowess, for the most part, we have the tendency to think only of female singers. Yet, Kolar showed that men can have both the vocal capacity and want to imprint their “vocal power” on people’s minds/ hearts. Moreover, he showed that such an ability is formed by a genuine love for entertaining “concert-goers” rather than just singing to them.
Kolar, himself, has remarked that the duo “wanted to create dance music that combines all the genres of music we love, but with our own original twist. It’s that idea of taking a pop song and getting people to move to it.” Their idea has manifested into a full-fledged, selling out tour throughout both the U.S and Europe, and, after seeing their Irving Plaza performance, I understand why. These musicians are unlike any other, in part, because they make music primarily picturing their future concerts and the smiles on fans’ faces. For More Information On Kolars Click Here.
