I’m right almost all of the time; just ask me. I’m wrong
plenty, too; just ask my wife. But I know I’m right in saying Mikaela Davis is going to be a big sensation from this
jerkwater burg as soon as she quits wasting time at SUNY Potsdam and hits the
road.
Davis and her harp and her band — one cat on keys, sitar,
and guitar duty, and a well-versed drummer — served up a light and airy set of
psychedelic splendor and whimsy on Gibbs Street Saturday as part of the Fringe
Festival. Her coquettish voice in concert with the dreamy wash of her giant
instrument’s strings is engaging, enthralling, enticing, and entirely
beautiful.
Other than a quick sitar-driven nod to the Fab Four, Davis performed
her own strong compositions. Her song “I’m just Tryin’
To Be Your Friend” is permanently drilled into my
brain, what with all its hooks and oooh’s and oh’s. The band had some in the large crowd slack-jawed and
somewhat relieved to discover that indie rock doesn’t need to be abstract or
obtuse or rendered by geeks to be good.
It’s a quirky line-up to be sure, but Davis’ band is more
there for punctuation and spice, leaving the harp and its master’s dainty
digits to drive the whole affair to the sky. It’s absolutely gorgeous. I know
I’m right, dammit.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2013.
