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I first heard Low Red Land on the Dragon Slayers Vol. 2 comp put out by Thread Productions. There isn’t a bad song on that disc, but Low Red Land’s stuck out in my mind because their song, “West Texas,” is named after my home state. And also because the guitars and vocals would stay in my head long after the disc stopped spinning.

Their live show was everything I’d expected: Loud, swelling guitars and desperately earnest, often shouted vocals. Indie punk and hardcore riffs atop driving rhythms. Sheer blasts of echoy guitar noise. It’s kinda like Fugazi meets post-rock, if you will.

But a surprise was in store at the end of the night, when the band closed their set with a quiet, all-acoustic number on banjo, guitar, and accordion. Singer/guitarist Neil Thompson didn’t sing into the mic, either, instead letting his vocal chords provide their own amplification, just as the other instruments were doing. It was a brilliant way to end the show, demonstrating a completely different side to the band’s talents.

Low Red Land has actually released one acoustic EP and plans to release another this year. They’ve also been playing all-acoustic shows. Whether they’re electrified or not, the Low Red Land live experience will amply reward your attendance.

[Mike G.]


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