Any type of live music is a good thing. When the performers have amazing voices and talent, and perform in an intimate setting, this is a great thing. This holds true for the small concert held last Thursday at Tufts Women's Center open house, featuring Voices on the Verge, an all-female band on nationwide tour. Beth Ansel, Jess Klein, Erin McKewn, and Rose Polenzi all left solo acts to tour as a group, and have since recorded a CD together, Live in Philadelphia.
The set consisted of eight songs, each unique and different. There were sweet love songs; loud, soulful songs; bluesy, spiritual songs; and personal songs about childhood experiences. Songs ranged from "Moses," which included colorful imagery such as the chorus phrase "technicolor calvary," to "Long Island Sound," a song about a relationship with a father, to "I'll Be All Right," a song about girls from Lowell, Massachusetts who were shipped to the city during the Industrial Revolution.
In each song, all of the members sang, blending different voices in both traditional and unique harmonies. Each vocalist had her own distinct style, giving everyone in the audience something to connect with.
The group played an impressive range of instruments, including acoustic guitar, electric guitar, tambourine, clarinet, and several percussion instruments. And the lead guitar was not restricted to one person - they all took the lead, depending on the song.
Not only were the band members skilled at their craft, they were also friendly and fun. They talked both amongst themselves and with the audience between songs, oftentimes about silly, random subjects - sharing everything from embarrassing cell-phone stories to their opinions of Neil Diamond.
The group was particularly fascinated with the chocolate flavored condoms available for free at the Center, and even went into an improvisational song about them.
The band members also complimented the Women's Center in general, describing it as a warm resource on campus. When asked why they wanted to play at the Women's Center, Klein responded, "I love playing at colleges, and I've been to Tufts before." She went on to explain how she really enjoyed playing intimate settings, especially at a women's center.
Ansel added that it was so overwhelming when she first came to college, she needed a place like the Women's Center, as none were really available at her school, she enjoyed showing her support for this one.
When asked about inspiration behind their songs, Klein said that she feels inspired all the time, and has the urge to "make art out of everything I see." Her main problem is trying to narrow down her vision to something that will interest people.
Peggy Barrett, founder of the Tufts' Women's Center, and Liz Mannin, who organized the event, brought Voices on the Verge to campus to increase the visibility of the Center and the resources which it offers.
"Music adds so much culture and art," Barrett said. According to Mannin, it was also exciting to acquire an off-campus music act, especially "women making wonderful music."
It was a pleasant treat for all of those present at the Women's Center Thursday to experience such refreshing, beautiful music. For those who missed the show, or would like to see Voices on the Verge again, they are playing this Saturday at noon at Faneuil Hall. They are definitely a band "on the verge."
