Concert Review: Neyla Pekarek Is Rocking Rattlesnake At Rockwood

Katy Perry was a back-up singer for Mariah Carey, who was a back-up singer for Brenda K Starr. Father John Misty was the drummer for Fleet Foxes. Those whom are “last” can move into first, and Neyla Pekarek’s separation from The Lumineers is a perfect example. At Rockwood, she introduced herself as a solo artist, and gave a performance that explains why, sometimes, you need to go on your own.

For some, it may seem crazy to leave such a successful band like, The Lumineers. Yet, define success? For Neyla, success is being able to put your strong heart and personality front and center, which is exactly what she did. Her voice is crystalline, and strikes straight for the story of a song. “Train,” “Western Woman,” “Better Than Annie,” and “The Attack” came off like dramatizations of how a hero’s glory is made from random opportunity. Introducing songs from her debut album, Rattlesnake, Neyla has written a “musical” about a woman, Kate Slaughterback, that lived her life more fully in the early 1900’s then we do in the early 2000’s.

In perspective, you would not think a woman that killed a 140 snakes is a “massive story.” Yet, the way Neyla sings and speaks to Kate’s life makes you see the “extra” of the ordinary; she becomes an emblem for female strength and an opening for Neyla to show her power and dedication as a narrator; even wearing a Rattlesnake dress in homage. Frankly, I saw The Lumineers in concert, and Neyla never spoke. She simply played the cello and, maybe, made a few comments. Yet, her Rockwood show made me feel like I was meeting the “shy girl” in high-school, and feeling humbled to know she was not shy. She had a LOT to say, and did it in a way that made me have to google Rattlesnake Kate.

You know you have done your job as a storyteller if you leave people wanting more to a story. Neyla has a knack for turning humanity into an epic. She feels like a coffeeshop Socrates; dropping wisdom and wit that could fit into a Greek Legend while acting like she is your best friend chatting over Greek Yogurt. Her ability to casualize passion and courage is deeply refreshing because it gives access to these needed emotions. We all say we want these things, but not many of us go for it like Rattlesnake Kate or Neyla Pekarek. For More Information on Neyla Pekarek Click Here.