4/30/2023 0 Comments Cut the rope 8 23![]() Michael Trent sat playing this simple drum kit and guitar while joining in with Cary on vocals.The pair rolled into the fast-paced over the top O’ Be Joyful track, “Kemba’s Got the Cabbage Moth Blues,” followed by “Boxcar” and the wildly catchy “Cut the Rope.” Cary and Michael jammed back and forth singing sweetly into one another’s faces and switching instruments back and forth throughout the night. Shovels & Rope composed of husband/wife singer-songwriters Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent hit the stage next with the catchy single “Gasoline,” off their debut album O’ Be Joyful. He playfully asked the audience if they wanted a “screamer or a sadder” song, to which the audience unanimously cried, “screamer!” His banter with the crowd was consistently humble, asking that everyone bear with him until Shovels & Rope played, which caused a collective laugh. Stelling stared opened-eyed into the audience as his soulful voice washed over the room. His voice, a raspy crying whine, contrasted a bit with the sweeter melodies, but on his darker and more forceful songs, his voice worked exceptionally well. There’s a very emotional and raw sound to Stelling’s music and he seemed completely at ease as he played compositions from his recent album, Songs of Praise and Scorn. The modest yet powerful singer commented on the friendly and animated room, “You guys ain’t from New York are you? People from New York just stand around with their arms folded.” During slower songs/parts the artist would smack his guitar loudly as if daring the crowd to look away. The folksy singer/songwriter seemed to lose himself completely in the music, letting his body flail around and face contort. Stelling slowly took the stage raising his glass to the audience with a “cheers” and opened with intricate guitar plucking and an electronic stomp pad. Boot-stomping “sloppy tonk” duo from South Carolina, Shovels & Rope played to a packed room at the Mercury Lounge on August 23rd along with opener Christopher Paul Stelling.
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