By Ali Siemens (Staff Writer) – Email
Opening for Yann Tiersen on Friday, March 4, Breathe Owl Breathe had audience members sitting on the edges of their seats. The audience consisted of men and women of all ages, young and old; everyone was laughing and clapping at the trio’s obvious musical talent and humorous banter. Although Yann Tiersen, an already established musician, put on a great show, it is difficult to say who I enjoyed more.
The indie-folk trio consists of lead singer Micah Middaugh, Andréa Moreno-Beals, and Trevor Hobbs. Performing most of their songs from their newest album, Magic Central, the band is in no shortage of musical talent. Middaugh plays the guitar, banjo, and thumb piano; Moreno-Beals has an enchanting voice combined with her talent on the cello, banjo, and tambourine; and Hobbs plays the drums, violin, vibraphone and glockenspiel. Although Middaugh is the lead singer, when accompanied by Moreno-Beals, it is hard not to let your jaw drop at her amazing ability to harmonize with her on stage partner.
Breathe Owl Breathe is not new to the music industry, although they were new to most Vancouverites who attended the concert at The Vogue. They released their first album in 2004, The Fall Album, followed in 2005 by Climb In, Canadian Shield in 2007, and Ghost Glacier in 2008. The first four albums were recorded with a small record label, Earthwork Music, but last September, with more success, the band signed with Hometapes Records for the release of Magic Central.
The band impressed many audience members, which became very clear when a male yelled out, “who are you guys?! You are awesome!” Middaugh didn’t answer right away, but instead stood in silence replying with, “we don’t know,” quickly transitioning into their next body moving song. Whimsical and funny, the band has one song, “Dragon,” about a princess and dragon that are pen-pals, but the princess doesn’t know she is pen-pals with a dragon because he has excellent penmanship. Middaugh sings as the dragon, and Moreno-Beals acts as the princess, the fun relationship on the CD and in performance can be compared to listening to a short and peculiar love story. Although the song is playful and funny, it’s essentially a love song asking the final question, “How do you stop loving someone?”
The lyrics of most of BOB’s songs leave the listener smiling from their playful and story-telling songs.
Ultimately, the entire album is worth buying and playing on repeat. The first track, “Own Stunts,” was a good choice as an opening song. Middaugh and Moreno-Beals combine their voices for a soft and comical melody about, you guessed it, doing your own stunts. Aside from the lyrics talking about jumping off of trains and flailing arms, Middaugh adds a sensitive side to the lyrics, “/grass stains on my shirt/ it’s all because of her/ laughter/ after/ it didn’t hurt.”
Now, although the album sounds humorous and quirky, the lyrics hold a certain kind of personal presence. Underneath the intriguing song names, the poetry is well romanticized and connects to its listener’s ears and hearts. Songs like “Dog Walkers of the New Age” and “Board Games” exemplify that pattern with hit-home lyrics and eccentric nuances that offer one a new appreciation for indie-folk music.
Overall, the band is undeniably endearing and their music is non-stop-play infectious; it seems like these qualities leave them destined for bigger things.
