I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: October 6, 2024] The Ophelias

The only thing I knew about The Ophelias before this show was this bit of information I looked up the last time I could have seen them (in 2022 they opened for Typhoon, but I didn’t go).

I love the origin story that Wikipedia gives for The Ophelias

The Ophelias are an American rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio. The group first met at a time when each were independently serving as the “token girl” in various male-fronted bands from their hometown. “Coming from varied musical backgrounds (ranging from garage-rock, to surf, to opera), the distinct talents and influences of each member collided in unexpected ways at the band’s first rehearsal. It was here the band discovered that their chemistry wasn’t rooted in a shared musical reference point, but in the creative relief from the expected censorship of being a side person.”

Although a more recent review notes

Initial press claimed the band was made up of former “token girls” in their Ohio bands. Now, the Ophelias return as two women, one newly-joined non-binary bassist, and one trans male drummer.

Of course that doesn’t say anything about their music.

When they came out on stage, they were thrilled to be there–clearly very excited to play New York with Julien.

Singer Spencer Peppet has a kind of almost talking singing style.  She certainly sings, but it’s slow and clearly enunciated, which was really enchanting.  The songs have elements of chamber pop which I wondered how they would play live.  By chamber pop I guess it’s mostly violin and Andrea Gutmann Fuentes covers that area perfectly.  I really enjoyed the violin 

Bassist  Jo Shaffer and drummer Mic Adams were aided by a second guitarist (whose name I didn’t catch but who used a violin bow on Neil Young on High) rounded out the band and really helped bring intensity to songs that seemed like they might be quiet and folky.  

My daughter and I didn’t love the location we were in but there really wasn’t any better place.  The people right in front of us were pretty tall but they gave us a little room to see some of the stage.  I’m not sure if she cared much about The Ophelias, but I thought they were really engaging.  I enjoyed General Electric with its bouncy soft melody.  

The biggest excitement came when they announced Neil Young on High (a song title I was totally on board with).  But it wasn’t because of Neil Young, it was because Julien Baker sings on the track and they invited her out to sing with them–the first appearance of Julien that night.  And the crowd went wild.  It must be said Julien doesn’t do a lot in the song, but it was cool to have her up there.

They played a couple of new song (I love when bands that most of us haven’t heard of ask if its okay if they play a new song).

I enjoyed Cicada and Becoming a Nun.  And then they were done.

The crowd was fully on board with them, and I’d love to see them again from a lot closer.

There’s a couple of videos online from people who were much closer than we were like these two from Tatyana S.

 

 

		2024
		Crocus ψ
		Grand Canyon ♣
		General Electric ⇔
		Spring Grove
		Neil Young on High ψ
		new
		Cicada
		Force Fed
		Becoming a Nun ψ
		Moon like Sour Candy

 

⇔ Almost (2018)
ψ Crocus (2021)
♣ For Luck EP (2020)