Bard’s Flying Vessel at Alphaville (photo by Kevin McGann)
This past weekend, Brooklyn’s own Bard’s Flying Vessel released their awesome new album Nightfall Generator and played Alphaville to launch it.
Like their eponymous debut, the music finds this five-piece band throwing various styles into the mix and producing a sound that’s all their own. Equal parts psych rock, lo-fi fuzzy garage rock, surf rock, 60’s folk vibes yet at times heavy as hell. I asked them after the show who was the Iron Maiden fan because I got the feels and they laughed and pointed to guitarist, Aaron Swartz, who not only shreds but literally wears wind chimes as he does. In fact, they point out that if their debut album had more of a Lord of the Rings sorcery vibe, then Generator is “a wind chime twinkling behind a Conestoga wagon” as the Bard’s travel the open road ahead.
Along with Swartz, there’s Matt Dwyer on vocals/synth/tambourine, Joey Dussault on guitar, Bosch Akram on drums and Sarang Joshi on bass. I can tell these guys have been playing together for a while because the music was tight but they were having a good time. Highlights included “Barrows” and “Nightfall Generator” which are the first two tracks on the new album, along with the fluid basslines of “Fortune Wheel,” and the ready-for-a-road-trip vibes of “Scheming” with its dreamy vocals.
Bard’s Flying Vessel (photo by Kevin McGann)
Opening the night were two more of NYC’s best. First up was Peter Is Dead who beautifully played their self-described style of electric folk music. And of course their deadpan delivery on in-between song banter. Playing tracks from their recently released EP, An Hour in the Sky, Peter Carlovich literally brought his subtle, heartfelt vocal stylings into the crowd for a great set.
Next up was Heat Death who have a psych heavy, haunting sound that at times brought to mind The Cranes and their equally haunting vocal style. Swirling guitars, otherworldly synth sounds, and ethereal vocals that take you to another dimension. Led by Alexandra Noland on vocals/guitar, the band also includes Joshua Meyer on guitar, Franklin Ligh on bass, Ange Delgado on drums, and Robert Jensen on keys. Make sure to check out tracks from their recently released, self-titled EP.
Scroll down for setlist, pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)
Bard’s Setlist: Dust Collector, BFV I & II, Nightfall Generator, Scheming > Maritime, Fortune Wheel, By The Ridge, Barrows
PETER IS DEAD
HEAT DEATH
BARD’S FLYING VESSEL
