When the world first found out that they were losing the Civil Wars in 2012, we were all crushed and crossing our fingers for a comeback. The harmonies from heaven went silent in a dramatic fashion, leaving a love-song yearning hole in my heart; I never knew that music could be so sad and depressing, yet equally beautiful. The heartbreaking news that we all were fearing hit the press earlier this year as the duo said a final farewell, but a saving grace has arrived. Enter the Lone Bellow, stage left. When I first met this trio in 2011, it was actually on the tiled floor of an old school building in Brooklyn, New York. They were leading worship at Trinity Grace, a small community-centric church in one of the trendiest areas of town. I remember it clear as day, starting with a set including the Doxology like I’d never heard it before. My friend David, whom had told me all about his church, said that these guys were doing some great things with music and had teamed up with Charlie Peacock for their album. A few days later, I went to my first NYC house show, releasing the Young Oceans album, which included a few of the same musicians. Weeks later, we crowded into a small bar in Manhattan and watched as The Lone Bellow invited Charlie Peacock himself up to perform a few songs in one of the most energetic sets I’ve ever experienced. It was a guarantee that the Lone Bellow was going to become a household name in no time.
I’ve been able to see the Lone Bellow a handful of times, including a large show on the streets of Baltimore and in one of the most intimate venues of Columbus. Every performance is a showcase of heart, soul, and love for music. They appear raw and gritty, from vintage hand-me-down vests to slicked hair and clean barber cuts. They sweat often, laugh between songs, and sing until their hoarse, with an occasional R&B tribute that gets every cell phone out of the audience pockets. My week took a turn for the best when I saw that they released a new single, “Then Came the Morning” in anticipation for the next album, set to release in January 2015. You can get a first listen on Soundcloud or download it in iTunes. Produced by Aaron Dessner (The National), “Then Came the Morning” features the same melodic vibe that I loved in the first album, with the addition of dynamic brass and strings that we’ve not heard before.
Take the dawn with you when you leave
Wash my hands of all this broken heave
Never forget what you thought you’d never be
If you ever let me break the spell of cryin’
Leavin’ what we could have found and
Take my words, breathe ’em out like smoke
Burn every single letter that I wrote
Let the pages turn to ash, I don’t want them back
Everything you’ve always said to me
Starts to sound like broken glass on speakers
Spread it out all over places where I sleep
Now you’ve finally left me, done with all your lyin’
Joy come to me, boy and you won’t see me cryin