The Soil and the Sun
wsg Kellen & Me, Antrim Dells
The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids
Sept. 27, 8 p.m.
$10
pyramidschemebar.com, (616) 272-3758
The Soil and the Sun has been absent from the Grand Rapids music scene the past couple of months due to a tour which brought the band through North Carolina, Washington D.C., Tenessee and all across the Midwest, not to mention South By Southwest.
On Sept. 27, the band celebrates its homecoming by headlining a show at the Pyramid Scheme. Not only will this show allow local fans to get their experimental folk rock fix, it will also be a chance to hear plenty of new material from the band's latest album, What Wonder is this Universe! This album was recorded in Grand Rapids, and contains nine tracks of ethereal folk that showcases The Soil and the Sun's signature vocal harmonies and zen-like melodious instrumentation while traversing a vast array of soundscapes. The final track, "I Know It (I Feel It, Too)," stands out as a heavier song with catchy hooks and ample doses of distortion and feedback. The new album was released online in late August, and a limited edition vinyl pressing is available for preorder.
Those who have seen the Soil and the Sun live know that the most potently beautiful aspects of their recorded songs are magnified during the band's live performance, and improvisations and collaborations make for a truly moving, nearly spiritual musical experience. They can easily be likened to the experimental folk of Fleet Foxes, and their soothing melodies and experimental crescendos are passionate enough to impress even Sigur Ros. And the passion for music is apparent in the way each member fervently sings each line and moves with the song.
Chicago act Kellen and Me and Michiganders Antrim Dells will be opening the show with their comforting and pleasant indie folk, making for a solid lineup. The mellow and low-key sounds of each band complement each other perfectly, and audience members can expect a night full of warmth, love and patchouli oil.
