Timbre Timbre (Photo credit: Jeff Bierk)
Both mesmerizing and haunting, Timber Timbre played an intimate sold out show.
It made sense that indie folk band The Wooden Sky was opening for Timber Timbre. The trio filled with long, luscious hair gave an effortless performance. Lead singer and guitarist Gavin Gardiner used finger picks effectively while having a delay effect on throughout his playing, creating a dreamy environment during the whole set. For one song he brought out a harmonica and impressively multi-tasked by singing and playing both instruments simultaneously. Their sound is very nostalgic, yet fresh. If Neil Young were to start an indie rock band, The Wooden Sky would be the result. If you want to get a feel for their sound, they recently released their fifth album, Swimming In Strange Waters, on their own label, Chelsea Records.
Shortly after The Wooden Sky’s set, I felt someone graze my shoulder as they made their way on stage. It was none other than the man himself: Taylor Kirk of Timber Timbre. I previously saw the Canadian-based group at Beach Goth and was surprised when Kirk hopped on bass. They immediately opened with new songs from Sincerely, Future Pollution. Kirk is just as great on the bass as he is on the guitar, wildly playing open bass strings and sliding across the fretboard like a maniac. Fifth song in, he switched to his main weapon and began singing “Hot Dreams.” In this slowed down live version, Kirk sang smoothly and beautifully with his signature slapback vocals. The band really get into the zone while performing, so when the group was sideswiped by a bright flash during “Do I Have Power,” Kirk made sure to raise his middle finger up high for the photographer. They also wouldn’t start “Beat the Drum Slowly” until everyone was completely silent. At one point, all you could hear was the hissing from the amps.
You can find many different influences when watching Timber Timbre, ranging from 80’s funk to country. The eclectic band left many in awe and the crowd (including myself) wished they could’ve played more.