Guelph-based folk band throws album release party at eBar
People rush to the bar to grab a round before finding a seat, scraping their pockets for loose change. Glasses clink in the low light of the eBar as patrons settle into their seats, chatting with friends. First-timers look and point at the domino-tiled ceiling, while spilling drink on the floor with a laugh and a wisecrack about alcohol. The band sets up on the stage, beginning their set with a modest “Hello.”
That is the scene at Lowlands’ album release party on Fri, Nov. 25 for their much anticipated new album, Erie.
As Lowlands began their first song, people crowded in front of the stage with cocktails and pints of craft beer, swaying back and forth—either to the rhythm of “High Mountain,” or the frothy beer that filled their cups. Perhaps both.
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Gordon Auld crooned into the microphone and the band mesmerized their audience in a way only achievable by Lowlands.
By the second song, the crowd had begun echoing vocals back to the stage to Lowlands’ classic “Dog’s Bite,” which flowed instantly into “Black Mask II”—chaotic in nature and widely acclaimed by all in attendance.
The highlight of the night was “Wonderful Hearts,” the fourth song from Erie’s predecessor, Huron. The band began to groove—Abrahm Del Bel Belluz and Auld played their guitars with wide smiles and wide eyes. The slow folk song began to pick up in speed as if it were a rock rolling down a hill and bassist Joseph Gallo Jr. became animated, dancing like a Muppet attached to strings.
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Lowlands played more of their new songs and were awarded with tremendous applause, whistles, stomps, and hoots for their live performance of “Run”—one of the singles to emerge from Erie.
They played one encore song and then headed to their merch table to sell their new records and CDs, possibly even signing one or two.
The show had ended, but the beer continued to flow. The night was a wild party in honour of Lowlands’ latest accomplishment.
[media-credit name=”Dana Bellamy” align=”aligncenter” width=”1020″]