Kishi Bashi and Tall Tall Trees Stunned at Joe’s Pub [photos]

Photo Credit: Lexi Namer

The dinner theater feel of Joe’s Pub, with it’s little round tables and dim lighting, was the perfect setting for Tall Tall Trees and Kishi Bashi last Thursday. Both artists’ mellow, joyous melodies echoed through the intimate room, sending the audiences jaws crashing down onto the floor.

The night started with Tall Tall Trees’ (@talltalltrees) front man Mike Savino on stage without his band. Though normally a four-piece, Savino filled out the room effortlessly with just his voice, banjo and looping machine. His delicate folk-pop was the perfect appetizer for the main course everyone was waiting for.

Kishi Bashi (@kishi_bashi) came on only a half hour after Tall Tall Trees took the stage, and while he normally performs by himself, he brought Savino back on the stage with him for much of the set. The addition of the banjo and harmonies made Kishi Bashi’s normally ecstatically lush songs even fuller, sounding almost more delightful than on the album. The two long time friends joked and bantered with the crowd, but the focus was never taken off the music. Each song they played, including a wonderful Beirut cover, was absolutely flawless.

The last time I saw Kishi Bashi, I almost wept from the beauty. This time, I felt the urge to get up and leap around (though, unfortunately, my position at the corner of the table prohibited it). The sold out crowd left the show that night uniformly in awe of the expert musicianship and truly wonderful show they had just witnessed. There were even people (sure, maybe just me) skipping down the rainy street after leaving.