Curiosity delivered the final push that got me thru the door on Friday night to see Tennessee’s own Those Darlins. And, judging from the sold out crowd, I was not the only curious one in attendance.
Fronted by three females, who trade off vocals as well as instruments, and backed by a male drummer the performance did not exactly come jumping out of gates. While the band plays a high energy, raucous style of whiskey drinkin’ music, the start of the set dragged a bit and was fairly uninspired. Although, it would not have been terribly surprising to learn the ladies were fighting off a hangover from the previous night. As the night wore on though, the show definitely picked up steam and the band managed to find their stride and a performance to befit the music.
Standing in cowboy boots and converse, all in front of a kick drum that declared “Nobody’s Darlin,” the ladies proudly ascribe to an aesthetic that seems one part country, one part punk and one part indie. Although, it is not without some degree of posturing that they attempt all three. The performance is loose and entertaining and they certainly know how to work a room into a party. The problem is, while fun, the songs are not particularly memorable and after sifting through the booze filled haze of a good time, the whole thing treads ground dangerously close to mere novelty.
