An amazing recording of San Francisco’s next Vashti Bunyan
I’m not much of a fan of singer/songwriter folk pop. Really, you put the words “singer” and “songwriter” together and I’m hit with horrible flashbacks of the days of “Lilith Fair.” But for me, the Finches are different, for two reasons: 1. They have awesome influences — Vashti Bunyan being one very awesome and obvious one, and 2. They write undeniably catchy songs that are not far off from the folk songs that influenced our favorite punk bands. (I actually figured out one song, “House Under a Hill,” and realized its verse was based on a “punk rock box” chord-structure* — C #, G #, D #, A # — but played as a waltz instead of a 4/4.)
I went to this show to not only see two great bands — the Finches and the Bushes, a comedy-rap duo from L.A. — but to try out my new recording equipment. As you’ll hear, the new set up really makes a difference.
Sadly, the recordings I posted didn’t leave room for lead singer/guitarist Carolyn’s witty stage banter, which, instead of consisting of your usual one-liners thrown between band members, was composed of funny stories. She also used these stories to introduce her songs during the set, a good example being one about seeing two shirtless dudes in backpacks pushing each other on the street** before playing the song “Nightswimming.”
Doubly sadly is the fact that other than a show at the Great American Music Hall on Sept. 6, the Hemlock show was the last the Finches will be doing for a while in the Bay Area. Carolyn will still be playing, mostly in the L.A. area (where she’s moving to) but without being accompanied by guitarist/backup singer Aaron or sometimes drummer Justin, who also play together in the instrumental band Roots of Orchis. For more news on the Finches, go to their MySpace page.
*The punk rock box is the easiest recipe for a good punk song. You can take can any four notes, it’s just that they have to form a “box” on the fret board of a guitar. A good example is G, A, C, D; played in any order with a 4/4 tempo, these notes form a great punk song. Move the same box up and down the frets and you’ll find you get the same results.
**Of course I’m paraphrasing and not doing the story justice.