shearwater and magnolia electric co.

Tonight I caught Shearwater and Magnolia Electric Co. at the Black Cat. Shearwater, an Okkervile River side project opened.

While a band with a banjo rather than a guitar (as well as an upright bass) is a novelty, Shearwater's first few songs with lead singer Jonathan Meiburg on banjo were uninspiring, they couldn't fill the 1/3 full black cat with sound. Only when he traded the banjo for keyboards, and the keyboardist grabbed up a guitar did the show pick up. A solid set, though nothing too exciting. Better, however, than...

Magnolia Electric Co., who took the stage next. Their guitarist looks like Robert Fitzgerald used to look. Unfortunately, that was the only notable thing about their performance.