Karen Ponzio Photo
Perennial
“Tell me, Hamden, Do you like experimental music?” Chad Jewett of Perennial asked the audience at Best Video on Friday night. He was answered with a chorus of yeses and woos. “Wanna hear something a little avant garde?” More woos ensued; if the packed house at the Hamden performance space was any indication, it appeared that there were more than enough music fans ready to hear whatever this band was ready to offer.
Perennial was one of three acts on a bill that built up from acoustic to looping to an all-out rage, each act layering upon the other, each one with lyrical lushness as well as sonic pleasures.
First to the stage was Emily Rose of Glambat, solo with her acoustic guitar and Sailor Moon playing on the screen behind her. Her trademark kindness laced with humor and a commitment to truth punctuated her set and each song she performed, including her well-known opener Andy — a song that she told the audience is about “ass,” but also about “sadness.”
Rose’s songs are always catchy and memorable, laced with truths and emotionally expansive. One, she said, was about “how it smells in Newark, New Jersey,” but also ended up being about longing, as she sang, “I miss you so deeply.” The crowd remained enraptured by her six-song set; Rose noted that she had been practicing a lot of new songs because she wants to record a new album soon. By the time the last song was finished and the audience had erupted in cheers, Sailor Moon had made her transformation once again and Rose had set the tone for an evening of beauty, cementing her place as one of the most compelling performers and songwriters on the New Haven scene today.
Addy Edward was next to the stage with his guitar and pedal board, through which he gently and deftly created a full band sound.
“I hope I don’t get too much feedback,” he said. “This may be a Perennial show soon if this gets too wild.”
There was no feedback, but it was wild how Edward crafted each piece, his set holding the audience captive throughout its five songs that included the two selections from his recently released EP, Sedative/Answers. Many in the audience appeared to already be familiar with them, and if not, would most likely soon be humming or singing along with them afterwards. This reporter ended up singing the lines “medicine, medicine / prescription regimen / taking my medicine / think it’s time to jettison” over and over again to herself this whole past weekend. With his charming presence and playful yet skillful musicianship and lyricism, Addy Edward established himself as one to watch on the local music scene in the year ahead.
“Ear plugs are encouraged,” said Chelsey Hahn of Perennial, the third and final act of the evening — right before she asked audience members to come forward from their seats, adding, “I’d like to see you up here.” A few did, already smiling as if they knew what was coming next: an onslaught of loud, luscious, punk-punctuated power-trio poetic rage. Perennial’s performance was ecstatic, all electric energy released and highly contagious. It was an auditory delight and the visual definition of fun, with Hahn and Jewett dancing, smiling and whirling about throughout each song.
“Rumor has it, word around town is that Perennial has a new record,” said Jewett — an EP called Food for Hornets. The band’s seven-song set included the title song as well as old favorites, and even had a little sing and finger snap along with the audience in between.
Songs were short and sweet but lingered long after, like a hard candy bitten and bursting into pieces your mouth. The band itself — Hahn on vocals, organ and harmonica, Jewett on vocals and guitar, and Wil Mulhern on drums — appeared to be having as much fun as the audience.
“I love three band shows,” said Hahn. “I love Addy and Emily.” The audience responded with cheers, and the room remained full long after the show was over. The love was returned.
