Girl at the Rock Shows

I’ve been slacking lately. I don’t know what it is, but nights in have just been filling my soul lately in a way they don’t typically, and I’ve been taking advantage of it. On top of that, the shows are a little bit slow given the time of year. That’s not to say that there aren’t amazing shows happening; there are. It’s more that I just can’t seem to find the motivation or sense of commitment this time of year to make it out to them. That being said, and even with how full my soul has felt with cozy nights in, my heart was feeling restless, so instead of taking yet another night off and continuing to get ready for the holidays, I decided to break the cycle and venture out on Wednesday night, and I’m sure glad that I did.

The always lovely and spectacular Molly Maher was the first to take the Amsterdam stage on Wednesday night. Joined by her group, “Her Disbelievers,” Molly instantly cast a shadow of calm and love across the floor of the venue. Stylistically, Molly is definitely situated in the Americana vein of things, which is so not my typical cup of tea, but there’s something about her that I just can not get enough of. Maybe it’s the grit that comes through when she’s singing, maybe it’s the word choice and how raw and emotional some of her songs can get without feeling overly heavy, or maybe it’s just the slight country twang that comes through here and there like a glisten of spice scattered throughout her set, regardless, Molly has been a favorite of mine for years and it’s always an absolutely treat to catch her live.

I wish I could tell you what songs Molly and her band played on Wednesday night, but I just can’t. Although I find her absolutely lovely to see live, her music is not something that I listen to in my free time. That is not at all a jab at her or a comment on her talent; it’s more that her music is just a bit calmer than what I typically need to get through my day-to-day. Why do I wish I could tell you what songs she played? Because some really hit me right to the core. I should have written down the lyrics that had me hooked, so I could spend some time digging deep into her discography to find them, but honestly, the last thing I wanted to do when she was playing was jotting down notes on my phone. I guess what I’m saying is there’s just something about Molly and her amazing songwriting that will hit you like a truck, but in a beautiful way. I felt a wide array of emotions while she performed, from joy to sadness, from triumph to calm. Molly Maher and Her Disbelievers are truly a local act that deserves way more attention and love than they seem to be getting, and I would like to go ahead and urge you all to get out and see her in the new year. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Although Molly and Her Disbelievers were amazing on Wednesday night, they were not the stars of the show (I mean, they were because everyone who was on the Amsterdam stage on Wednesday night was a star). This show was a celebration of the release of Andra Suchy’s new album, ‘Battle Cat.’

Never heard of Andra Suchy? Don’t worry, I really hadn’t either before the performance on Wednesday night, but as I dug into her background to try and help me understand the magic I saw on Wednesday, I am floored by just how iconic this woman is. She has shared the stage with everyone from Brad Paisley to Yo-Yo Ma. She has worked with A Prairie Home Companion and has collaborated with an extensive list of musicians, ranging from The Honeydogs to Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum. What I’m trying to say is that this woman is a force and, although she may not be a household name, she really should be, if not for all the accomplishments I just listed, then for her new album, ‘Battle Cat.’

Andra and her amazing (and large) band kicked the night off by playing through this new album in its entirety. Although this was a brand-new album and one I hadn’t previewed before the show, there was something so warm, cozy, and familiar about the sound. Okay, that makes it sound like this is my normal cup of tea, which it is not. Andra’s style, like Molly’s, isn’t something I typically listen to. Overall, it was calm and had an almost old-school feel to it. There were no breakdowns and no epic blastbeats or anything like that, yet there was something that was so easy to fall into when it came to her music.

Part of that was Andra’s voice. It’s this perfect level of raspiness while remaining the voice of a pop angel of sorts. There was heart and fire behind every word that Andra sang on Wednesday night, but there was also this shine of talent that was impossible to ignore at the same time. The way that Andra seemed to effortlessly balance between these two worlds absolutely spoke to my soul. Maybe I’m reading into this a bit too far, but I feel like this balance showed how women have two sides. They are tender and loving, but beneath it all, we all have a little grit and spice lingering, and every once in a while, we have no choice but to let it out ever so slightly. The way Andra seems to let that grit and spice out is through her amazing music that tells the story of her life while remaining relatable to anyone who will listen.

Another part of this set that was so easy to fall in love with was Andra’s backing band. It was the members of Molly’s band and then some. Although there were a lot of people on stage and a lot of different instruments being featured, there was a cohesive feeling that left me absolutely star-struck. I’m not sure how often this band plays together or how many different projects each member is in, but there was something just so perfectly rehearsed and curated about the way they played on Wednesday night. At the same time, it didn’t feel super buttoned up. There were smiles being shot across the stage between band members, and many times where things just felt organic. Don’t get me wrong, the music of Andra Suchy is not improvised or anything like that, but there were moments when that was the feeling I was getting from the stage, and it just added to the whimsical magic that was Andra Suchy’s set.

I could have stayed in again on Wednesday night, especially since neither act performing was my typical cup of tea, but what’s the fun in that? I’ll be paying for my choices over the next few nights as I race to get things done before the holidays, but I’ll be doing it with a smile on my face and a pep in my step thanks to both Molly Maher & Her Disbelievers and Andra Suchy.

Line Up:

Molly Maher and Her Disbelievers

Andra Suchy

Venue: Amsterdam

Smell-O-Meter: Nothing Notable

Average Age of the Crowd: 54

Crowd Surfers- 0

Stage Divers- 0

Mosh-ability- 0 out of 10

Amount of Beer Spilled On Me While Walking Around- $0

Broken Bones- None Noticed

Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing

Fights- None

Pukers- 0

Passed Out People- 0

Idiots Taken Out By Security – 0

How Many Times I’ve Seen These Bands Before (or at least how many times I can remember)-

Molly Maher and Her Disbelievers – 3

Andra Suchy – 0

Show on Deck — anni xo / Keep For Cheap / Squinny / IAMJOY

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