This past Friday, Pearl and the Beard celebrated the release of their new album, Killing the Darlings, at The Knitting Factory. With The Lisps and Lady Lamb the Beekeeper opening, the night was memorable to say the least.

While I had never seen The Lisps before, I was pretty impressed by their stage setup. With a modified drum kit that contained movie reel-like objects and an old cabinet at the front for additional beats, they were certainly doing their best to liven up the standard sounds you hear from a bluegrass indie band. Add to that some great charisma from lead vocalists César Alvarez and Sammy Tunis and a very genuine appreciation for their chance to play, and the Lisps had won me over by the time their set was finished.

Lady Lamb the Beekeeper continues to impress me with how she commands the complete attention of her audience. While the night was certainly about Pearl and the Beard, her guttural vocals and impassioned guitar playing always set a standard for the acts that follow. There’s an incredible rawness to her playing and the way she owns her music down to its core that simply demands respect. Add to that dynamic lyrical and instrumental shifts in her songs, and Lady Lamb is quickly becoming one of my favorite acts to see live. It’s no surprise that she and the members of Pearl and the Beard are good friends; both acts are no less than a joy to watch.

I’m not sure where to begin with Pearl and the Beard. The first time I saw them, their performance moved me to change careers (from finance to music), the second time, I met one of my best friends and fellow honey pie, Eric, and every time since has honestly been just as impactful. Watching them on stage is a reminder of what true musicianship and appreciation for the craft should be. Even with Emily Hope Price’s beautiful cello picking, Jeremy Styles’ gentle guitar, and Jocelyn Mackenzie’s fervent percussion and soaring vocals, they remain three of the most humble, yet brilliantly talented, people I’ve ever come across. The harmonies they create on stage are stirring to say the least and never cease to leave me wanting more.

If no other advice I give is ever followed, please trust me on this one thing: Pearl and the Beard will absolutely mesmerize you with their live show. They are, simply put, three people who have truly discovered what they were created to do. Watching them in their element, playing songs written by their old souls and interacting with their fans, will continue to inspire everyone who witness it.

The Lisps

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Lady Lamb The Beekeeper

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Pearl and the Beard

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