Concert Review: Towne Build A Country-Pop Road To Rockwood
I reviewed Towne before, and was asked to do a bio which started like this, “Sometimes, you have take a few roads, to find and make your own.” If last time I saw them as a pair of beyond talented musicians still paving their stylistic road, at Rockwood Music Hall they found, named, and have driven that road into a fast-track of glory.
Towne has changed in many ways, but still has that country-pop vibe that makes them irresistible. Jon Decious and Stevie Steeves are like two pop-stars veiled in folk-rock clothing. Sure, you find them sweet and homely, especially because their bond is founded in the unbreakable loyalty of shared creativity. If they say we all have our “person”, then Towne prove we all have our “ akin artist”. Yet, underneath their “sweet demeanors” are a pair pop stars that do not mind showing that splashiness and color do not diminish humility. On the contrary, taking center stage and allowing yourself to be your highest/ most glamorous version might be the humblest thing you have done.
Sometimes, we confuse humility for dimness; as if acting small means acting humble. While Towne have never had that confusion, In this “go around”, they were the firm, majestic embodiments of Carrie Underwood meets Fleetwood Mac, which gave them the humility needed for true confidence.They amped up their quieter, “reserved” natures, which I did not notice before, but felt in seeing Stevie Steeves approach the heartaches of songs “Let Me Let You Go”, “Wake Up”, and “Waiting”, and as if she will NEVER be hurt AGAIN. More than ever, she emotes her shimmery vocals like a champagne bottle too expensive for the “wrong guys” to buy, and solely sold to the ones willing to enjoy her bubbly heart (“Make Me Stay”). Yet, Jon Decious is not far behind in upping his style and presence as a smart guy who knows how to make the stillness and intelligent musicianship of his performance feel cool.
It is not easy to make cool feel approachable. I have said this with Bruno Major, Amy Shark, and now Towne, whom all are some of the top rising artists of today. Tomorrow, they will be the “big tickets” or award recipients, but they got there because, before, they reached us; the people that will not go to award ceremonies nor will big tickets have our name, but, through them, these artists’ rise we still feel recognized. For More Information on Towne Click Here.
