Brother Bird returns to the stage for an intimate and heartfelt performance.
Brother Bird 8/8/2022 at The East Room | Dylan Basden Photography
Brother Bird, aka the project of The Voice contestant Caroline Glaser, brings a distinct sound to an increasingly homogeneous indie-pop landscape. Caroline has found quite a few supporters in her time away from The Voice, including Manchester Orchestra's Andy Hull, who produced her debut album gardens. Last night's show in Nashville was the first in a two show run, with Brother Bird next headed to St. Louis on August 12th.
Brother Bird 8/8/2022 at The East Room | Dylan Basden Photography
The show was small and quaint, just about 30 bodies around the East Nashville dive. However, what was set to happen that night was nothing short of special. The gig opened up with Katie Ruvane followed shortly by Torri Weidinger, a nice pairing of musicians who brought in added elements of singer/songwriter sounds.
Brother Bird 8/8/2022 at The East Room | Dylan Basden Photography
Light but dazzling piano, slick guitars, and a tight, thumping drum kit framed Caroline's delicate vocals. The arrangement concocted for this performance was incredible, it captured the feel of Brother Bird's recordings perfectly while still leaving room for that 'live flair'. There was so many dynamics at play, with each instrument shining not just individually, but as a collective. Glaser and her band felt absolutely on top of it, it was genuinely stunning to stand there and watch it.
Brother Bird 8/8/2022 at The East Room | Dylan Basden Photography
This show was incredibly moving. Brother Bird's wordsmithing is incredible, it eats at your most intimate insecurities and simultaneously validates them. The songs feel like an old friend opening up after a long time apart. I wasn't the only one to feel this either, to say my +1 was bawling would be an understatement. The intimacy and authenticity radiating off of every word sung would come crushing down on the listener. Pair that with what felt like an orchestra of sound and you'd be hard pressed to not feel something.
Brother Bird 8/8/2022 at The East Room | Dylan Basden Photography
A quick ten songs was all it took for Brother Bird to impress. With 90% of the songs from her album gardens, it felt like a very cohesive setlist. Songs "comeback" and "kid again" were notable, they really highlighted what makes Brother Bird stand out in the crowd.
1. Leave It Alone
2. comeback
3. sleep it off
4. doomsday
5. everything is fine
6. kid again
7. stay down
8. burbank
9. astronaut
10. what we've become
Brother Bird 8/8/2022 at The East Room | Dylan Basden Photography
I want to see Brother Bird do great things. I need to see Brother Bird do great things. She is not a run of the mill songwriter, her performance was outstanding. From start to finish, there was nothing but passion and pure talent. Brother Bird is an act I could see going one of two ways; she will either be the next artist to crossover or she will continue to remain an indie gem. If the latter ends up being true, this is a gem you want to follow. If the former is true, you'll be glad to know you were one of the firsts.
