They walked out to Jack White’s “High Ball Stepper.”
One by one, members of local bluegrass band Subtle Clutch took the stage in Remedy Coffee’s packed back room Saturday night, grabbing their respective instruments to play for their dedicated fans.
With members ranging from 15 to 16 years old, this was the band’s first CD release party, and the boys didn’t disappoint.
Despite the young audience and an oddly shaped background, the young band engaged everyone with its own blend of traditional bluegrass and modern folk.
Once the four boys were suited up with their instruments, they launched into the setlist, song after song, playing tracks from their newest release “Southern Wind” as well as their signature covers such as Cage the Elephant’s “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked.”
“We were all looking for something to puke in because we were terrified,” lead singer Briston Maroney nervously laughed into the microphone, “but we’re really glad this is happening now.”
At first, you’re struck by the fact that each of them is separate but undeniably together. A theme of blue clothing united the four, yet each has his own version of the uniform. Jonathan Bailey on mandolin presented himself as a growing hipster with a flat-brimmed trucker hat and plaid shirt while Devin Badgett on guitar rocked a sophisticated version of the Canadian tuxedo. Vocalist Briston Maroney kept it simple with a checked shirt and jeans, while banjo player Eli Fox wore an embroidered, Western shirt with a bolo tie.
Each of their diverse styles represented the range of influences each member brought to the performance, evident in the slew of songs played throughout the evening. There were moments that felt like Mumford & Sons-esque jam sessions while others were reminiscent of Fox’s personal favorites, Old Crow Medicine Show and Carolina Chocolate Drops. While it was clear the band is still searching for a sound that is entirely its own, which is to be expected, Subtle Clutch has already managed to break out of the “every song sounds the same” rut and blend a variety of sounds and genres.
Then there’s the songwriting itself. From a quartet of high schoolers, themes ranged from the fear of growing up to the discovery of first love, even mentioning wedding bells.
Here’s the thing about the young men: they make topics they haven’t experienced yet seem completely believable. Chances are they haven’t spent the night beside a woman, yearning to touch her skin (or at least their mothers certainly hope not). But you would never, not even for a brief second, think they were lying or being insincere. No, everything they sang about seemed to come directly from the heart.
Honest, authentic and well executed, Subtle Clutch transcended age and genre with both its first record and its intimate show. Despite a packed house, each audience member became enwrapped in the emotions Subtle Clutch presented.
The band presented its hard work and open souls to the crowd, ready for whatever it had to give back, receiving only love.
