Concert Review: Making My Life…. An Easy Life
It was the night of the “Subway Shooting,” and people were on edge. Uncaught and probably at a Mickey D’s in the East Village, unbeknownst to all, train riders were scared that he’d attack again or inspire a quick copycat. Frankly, at least lately, New York has felt a little tired. Out everyone, we’ve been the most hit by this pandemic, and the rise in violence has those of us who love to go out feeling edgy; after all, you move to New York because you want to be in the city. This might explain why our apartments are basically the sizer of picture frames; our landlords know we will, probably, be out on the streets most of the time. Yet, with rising fear, people are forgetting the Easy Life, and a band of Londoners came to Bowery to remind them.
I think people needed a show of just a bunch of chill guys that love each other and the music they are playing. Walking into Easy Life’s set was the equivalent to waling into someone’s living room; your best friend handing you some snacks and beer to discuss the world or work. They gave off a fun vibe of venting that made the crowd so invested them. It’s a hard balance to fine between being emotionally accurate and mentally exuberant. So often, we think vulnerability is crying into a handkerchief about all the town’s gossip like we are Lady Whistledown. The truth is that vulnerability is platform for joy, and between songs about living it up or breaking up, Easy Life understood the assignment.
Leading their chill vibe circus is Murray Matravers, whose smiles, jokes, and overall voice felt like cleansing aperitif you have before eating a fresh meal. It is not easy to take an intense situation in a rightfully tense city, and turn it into a night of “forget about it” and dance. Yet, tracks like, were HARD not to make you become Groove incarnate. One woman in front of me could not dance to save her life, and yet she danced like she was saved. If you can make someone feel that CONFIDENT in a time where everyone is shaken, THAT is STAR QUALITY. Easy Life has THAT, and it is needed or was… that night.
