On The Second Floor

Saturday night, I was at The Cave for an early show. This upstairs venue of Lee's Palace actually feels more welcoming than the main bar with big cozy booths, line drawings etched in the walls, and a barn-like arched roof. Unfortunately, with the early time slot, there weren't too many people here for Luka and Tasseomancy.

When Luka took to the stage, I recognized some band members who have played for Tasseomancy and Emilie Mover. The lead singer, a sad-sacked dude with a ratty mustache, didn't inspire confidence. His soft delivery about Monkey Kings was a quirky topic, but I quickly grew to like his (mostly melancholic) love songs. He had a way with turns of phrase that conveyed both wryness  ("never write about the women you love") and unabashed hope ("a heart so full of love and sorrow"). Luka would probably do better in coffee-houses than cavernous bars.

The sisters of Tasseomancy are often also a bit quirky. Although tonight, with one of them singing in her sister's bath-robe, might be the oddest. The good sound at The Cave highlighted the folkoric qualities of their lyrics ("Come my darling, it's getting late late and I'm cold"). As always, their drummer Evans with his syncopated percussions and steel drums, anchored the songs and gave them propulsion. There was no bassist tonight but a new synth player added some additional harmonies to their set.