Palehound’s Sonic Quilt Cozies Up The Bowery Ballroom
Photo by Tonje Thilesen
Palehound is often described as an indie rock band, but after seeing them shake the floor of the Bowery Ballroom and pull at the heartstrings of everyone there, I am convinced that they are so much more than that.
As I stepped inside the venue, the purple lights flooded the room. Eager fans waited near the stage in anticipation. When frontperson El Kempner stepped onto the stage to set up their guitar the crowd erupted in impatient cheers, waiting to hear songs from Palehound’s highly anticipated new album, “Eye On the Bat” performed live. This tour has been more awaited than ever, as their previous tour in spring 2020 didn’t make it to its New York date before being canceled.
If you haven’t heard of Palehound, you may recognize them from Rolling Stone’s “Best Guitarists” list or their part in the article “The Best Albums of 2023 So Far”. Kempner truly lived up to these accolades, showcasing their versatility and showing off a soft guitar playing style on songs like the title track “Eye On the Bat”, to ripping solos on songs like “The Clutch”. They are a versatility powerhouse that was enchanting to see live.
The night began with NYC locals youbet, who brought ethereal and carefree sounds to the stage. Their bright, yet at times melancholic music reminiscent of artists like Big Star and Elliott Smith resonated heavily with the crowd. Following youbet was the Philly noise punk band Empath, who brought a chaotic fairy garden atmosphere. This was partly thanks to the tape player they had going in the background of their entire set. Their songs entranced the audience and kept them on their toes for what was coming next
When Palehound finally hit the stage, opening with the first song from their new album, “Good Sex”, I was struck by the deep vibrant tones emanating from bass player Larz Brogan, a long-time friend of Kempner. The audience could feel the rawness and emotion in the lyrics live, similar to the feeling the recordings hold. They continued on, introducing the rest of the band; guitarist Beck Zegans of NYC local band Goo, and drummer Jamie Pompei. Despite the new lineup for this tour, the band was incredibly tight and cohesive. Some moments of the night drew ideas from classic rock, a clear influence of Kempner’s songwriting, and more unexpectedly there were elements of country in the lead guitar and bass lines at times.
Between songs, the band took moments to tell jokes and stories, bringing comedy into a night of otherwise deeply emotional music. Kempner even brought up how they grew up outside of the city and how they used to come to see shows at the Bowery Ballroom. This show was a dream come true for them, and being there to witness it made all the difference. They were also not shy about advocating for local shows, mentioning that’s how they ran into Zegans.
As the night was drawing to a close, Palehound pulled out all the stops, playing throwbacks from their 2015 album Dry Food such as, “Cinnamon”, “Dry Food”, and “Healthier Folk”. The crowd roared for an encore, bringing Kempner back out to play “Fadin’”, and “Killer” with the full band.
The entire night carried a nostalgic feel, from Kempner’s stories to hearing songs I hadn’t listened to since I was in middle school. This sentiment felt true for the album itself as well, as songs about early pandemic life make it feel like a distant memory. Everyone in that room had eagerly awaited the album and tour through it all, and it made the experience all the more special.