Rockwood Music Hall New York, NY
Material: In this intimate Lower East Side venue, Eleanor Buckland, one third of the trio Lula Wiles, debuted her first solo effort, performing all 10 songs from her brand-new album, You Don’t Have To Know. A mix of indie, folk, rock and pop, Buckland reflects on relationship ups and downs, struggles with moving through life’s difficulties and what might await her on the other side. The songs are thematically tied together, forming a cohesive tapestry of self-examination. In the title song, Buckland drives home the notion that sometimes you must live with uncertainty: “How are you ever going to keep your heart sober? And shake your ghosts?/ They rattle the sky/they catch in your throat/ You don’t have to know.” “How Fast, How Far?” the catchiest of the collection, has radio potential, with its hypnotic electric guitar motif, a gripping rhythmic pattern and highly singable chorus: “Hold me baby, hold me tight/I think I love you/I think I might/If I fall, I’m a shooting star/but if I fall/how fast, how far?” Musicianship: Buckland’s voice is a blend of sweetness and energy, but it is the vulnerability that she imparts that is her greatest asset. Iredale-Gray’s compelling guitar work supports
ELEANOR BUCKLAND
Buckland’s own playing along with Trischka on drums and Guigueno on bass, taking the music to its rightful place.
Performance: Buckland’s folksy, girlish charm, immediately resonated with audience members, from her opening bit of banter, asking listeners how they “liked her new jacket,” to just about any other topic. Iredale-Gray (the album’s producer) interjected himself into the conversation, further cementing the performeraudience relationship. Buckland stepped away from the band to perform a guitar-only version of “Wishing Is Useless,” proving that she can
MARK SHIWOLICH
Contact: monica@sideways-media.com Web: eleanorbuckland.com Players: Eleanor Buckland, vocals, guitar; Adam Iredale-Gray, electric guitar, vocals; Sean Trischka, drums, vocals; Zoe Guigueno, electric bass, vocals
also shine acoustically. Though Buckland wanted to showcase all the songs on the album, adding a distinguishable cover would further align her with other artists in her genre. Summary: Eleanor Buckland has a promising package to move forward with. She is more than able to bring you into her world of selfexploration. Throwing in one heavy-hitting cover alongside her own songs would further draw more fans of her genre. On Feb. 8, Buckland will perform as part of the WFUV “On Your Radar” series at Rockwood Music Hall hosted by John Platt. – Ellen Woloshin fat drum sound and incredible fills and runs throughout the night (and especially on “City Lights”). Sarenana and Reza added a tight intro on “Queen of Hearts” and captivating dueling guitar solos on “Lovely, Long and Lean.” Prudeaux stood out as a formidable leader with potent vocals.
CARRY-ON BAND The Canyon Club Agoura Hills, CA
Contact: mark@markprudeaux.com Web: carry-onband.com Players: Mark Prudeaux, vocals; Pete Sarenana, lead guitar; Ruben Reza, second guitar; Jesse Silgero, bass; Adam Ponce, drums Material: With an energetic 30-minute set of originals, the Carry-On Band played a powerful and engaging rock show with vibes giving diverse nods to everything from KISS and Guns n' Roses, to Alannah Myles and Kings of Leon.
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January 2022
musicconnection.com
From straightahead rock to retro power ballads, the group demonstrated excellent musical sensitivity and delivered a balanced sound with fantastic vocal lines and intense growls from frontman Mark Prudeaux. Musicianship: Show opener, “I’m Ready,” highlighted Jesse Silgero’s talented bass slapping, and the flow between Silgero and Prudeaux was outstanding. “City Lights” unveiled a great guitar drive from Pete Sarenana and Rubin Reza, with phenomenal drum fills from Adam Ponce, who landed a
Performance: With a good audience turnout, the band kept its energy high and listeners were captivated throughout the set. While the banter between songs could use improvement, the level of musicality and the balance of sound from the group was very good. The group worked well together, with “Queen of Hearts” delivering a cool kickdrum and guitar breakdown and fabulous syncopated drum lines. Between soaring vocal melodies, darker transitions and bass licks (in “Lovely, Long and Lean”), and incredible falsetto notes, the Carry-On Band has clearly done the work to get here. Summary: The group produced a fun, compelling show, while displaying strong songwriting chops and great musicality. Prudeaux’s animated charismatic stage presence, alongside the intensity and control of his vocals, were well supported by the solid band of talented musicians that possessed seemingly boundless energy. With their diverse stylistic ability and sturdy sound, the Carry-On Band is the real deal, delivering a dynamic evening of rock. – Andrea Beenham
