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When I submitted that review, I intentionally asked them to remove the back history that accompanies it. I included the back history in the email so that they would realise why I might be incredibly proud of the band, or perhaps insanely bias towards them… this is the back history.
It’s funny how a song can bring you instantly back to a memory. “Oh! Death” makes me think of sitting on Skype with two of my American friends - Jess and Kelly - as we listen, for the first time, to a new favourite song.
Picture this. It’s November 2009. A video for a Will Smith Medley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnz0rhyLLKI) has been released by GodDamnCobras on YouTube (shortly after lesser known video host Vimeo’s October debut), picking up attention on the popular blogging site Tumblr. The band are unfamiliar, based in a city that I adore, and full of charisma. They bleed charm and have astounding voices. The places it is filmed are bright and vibrant, and the people are a wide mixture of enthusiasm.
I like what I hear, so I check the almost completely defunct website known as MySpace (prior to Justin Timberlake acquiring it). I listen to this medley singing band’s available audio. They call themselves Pearl and The Beard. Their actual names are Jeremy, Jocelyn and Emily. Their first album is called God Bless Your Weary Soul, Amanda Richardson. Amanda is a friend of the bands. I tell people - Kelly and Jess are the first to really listen. Jess points out this song. The chorus is “I love you, the way you are, the way you’ve always been”. It’s simple but perfect. I must hear more.
January, I’m in DC. I’m with a photographer called Joe-C (http://votejoec.com). He’s a friend of friends, and a friend of mine. He has invited me out to DC from New York where I was on vacation, so we can hang before his son Max is born. He’s shown me camera techniques, his studio, two of his closest friends, his fiance (now wife) and some of the great things DC has to offer. He has shown me how to look upon the world with fresh eyes. That a point and shoot camera may never quench my photographers desire. And that generosity still exists. We eat at Taylors sandwich shop, and talk about Allison Weiss’ CD. Life is good.
I depart in the knowledge that Pearl and The Beard will be playing in New Jersey that evening, in Jersey City, a short train ride on the PATH from Manhattan, New York. This will be my first chance to meet them. I’d already contacted them on Facebook to let them know that London now had an ear for their sound. That they had intrigued and enticed me. The venue is called IMAChinos. I invite Twitter users, and @NiceGuyTed decides to join me. It is our first time meeting, but he is willing to give this a go. Ugly Purple Sweater are also playing the night, a fun folk piece friends with the band. I introduce myself to the band, starting with Jocelyn and receive a very warm welcome back. Everyone is enthusiastic, and they seem genuinely surprised and impressed to have a Brit who not only knows of their music but is at one of their shows. I get that sometimes in New York, because I travel a lot and many musicians in their early stages remember their firsts. The first show, the first fans, the first bra thrown on stage, the first rider, the first fit, the first tour and so on. But their energy is contagious and their show as perfect, if not, better than the CD where I’d heard them.
Throughout both Pearl and The Beard and Ugly Purple Sweater’s sets, they frequently interact, make jokes and create a very homely and relaxed atmosphere. Some videos including shout outs are as follows (sound is pretty bad, it’s a Canon Powershot Pro (Oh! Death - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqol2122Kpc ~ Vessel - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfmxOi6gU9A ~ Douglas Douglass - http://youtu.be/2ff4OazyeZg , a new song which I’d not heard before).
I give this back story because it has now been two years to the day since I first discovered them. In that time I have witnessed their fan base increase. I have seen them play at venues like the Williamsburg Music Hall, and Spike Hill, and all over Manhattan and Brooklyn. I have convinced friends of their abilities and seen them become cemented in the New York music scene, with many other friends. I have seen them amass respect, challenge themselves thoroughly (Emily took part in a song a day project, where she would write and record a new piece daily, which you can listen to and read about here; http://emilyhopeprice.wordpress.com/about/ and even recorded one of my own pieces of writing - http://emilyhopeprice.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/29-god-bless-your-weary-soul-jon-barker/) and emerge stronger and better for it. I have come to call them friends, to see them at CMJ in October 2010, to stay in their homes and to hug a whole lot. Songs have been debuted, albums have followed up EPs (Black Vessel EP and Killing The Darlings). Through all of this they have been consistently wonderful people. They’ve always been kind to their audience, my friends and myself. They’ve dedicated songs and sets to me countless times (Emily forgetting the words to Hot Volcano because I’m so bad she can’t remember them http://youtu.be/GcqWwp7DtZI), and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the public’s attention.
I’ve always said the hardest part of getting them new fans is convincing someone to listen to them. From that point onwards everything sails smoothly, and to my great pleasure, Pearl and the Beard toured the UK for the first time last week, starting at The Barfly and ending at The Luminaire, with a show at St Pancras Old Church, a show in Manchester at The Castle and a secret show at Kal Lavelle’s folk night “W.E. Love Sundays”. Plenty of opportunities to bring friends along, and convince new faces that they are deserving of all the glowing glory I give. So now that you know my history with the band, and my potentially undying bias, I hope you’ll bear with me as I review the shows I attended.
