Concert Review: Widowspeak Bend Minds And Guitars At Rough Trade NYC
Widowspeak offered psychedelic lullabies to Rough Trade NYC, and gave one of the most mind-tripping shows I have seen. Between Molly Hamilton’s vocal clouds, because this woman give more than notes, and Robert Earl Thomas’ guitar syringes, because he does more than pluck sting, I was enthralled. I could live in their sound.
When you go to a Widowspeak concert, you feel like you are going to meditate. It, literally, smelled like sage, and upon entrance felt like a crystal shop: clear. There was an unabashed spirituality to the atmosphere that was amped by tracks like “Dog”, “Gun Shy”, and “Narrows”. Each coursed through the air like sun-rays, and draped people into a seemingly awakened sleep. All anyone could do was close their eyes, and sway to Widowspeak’s secret ingredients to their standout music; it all lies in the fogged voice of Hamilton and Thomas exceptional musicianship. While most people “play” a guitar, he gets playful with it, and exemplifies why this instrument has been a “go to” for music legends. From “In The Pines” to “Expect The Best”, his guitar went through every single emotion; it cried and laughed in his arms to piercing pitches, which only shattered people’s thoughts. I swear there was no way to think as Widowspeak played; you could only absorb as Hamilton overcast with her hazy voice to deliver vivid lyricism. Their entire vibe could be comparative to a music-kaleidoscope; molding rhythms into shapes and turning lyrics into colors for you to simply watch. Such a brain-tripping effect was magnificent, and made them distinctive amongst the many musicians that try to be psych-rock, but fail to capture the mindful aspects.
While it Widowspeak made their inside jokes and humorously attempted to play “new song, old song” bingo with the crowd, they felt more like vessels or carriers for their soft-psychedelia. While Hamilton laughs and talks about her awkwardness, it is clear that genius lies in this band. Sure, they may not feel like social kings and queens, but they are mindful ones, which is way more interesting. For More Information On Widowspeak Click Here.
