Those Darlins: the name doesn't give it all away

Note: Photos by Aaron Facemire.

Those Darlins have almost nothing in common with their name.

Okay, well maybe they are three girls who play country music...and I guess it does have that connotation...but these girls have a lot more to them. On record, they are steeped in tradition, writing simple songs with straightforward lyrics (no metaphors or big words).

Then there is their live sound. Everything their songs have on record (particularly on the fantastic three-song Wild One EP) are turned up in front of an audience. The singalongs are there, but they are more in-your face. The guitar switches from acoustic to electric. There is no production. It's fantastic.

And that's exactly how it was at The Highdive on Friday night. No frills, no extras, just loud electric music.

The band, made up of three girls (playing guitar, bass and baritone ukelele) and a drummer added a raw energy to everything they played, be it originals or covers (their cover of Woody Guthrie's "To Washington" was a good addition). Their songs, including "The Whole Damn Thing" (about getting drunk and eating an entire chicken), were fun, rocking numbers with a keen sense of humor. I can't wait for the album.

Sure, they were sloppy, but it was fun. And adding to just straight-up country was a good mix of punk and 60s pop. The guitar solos were straight out of early Beatles records, while the alternative country movement of the 80s and 90s (noted for combining classic country with punk) could be heard throughout their too-short set (their album will be out later this year). Yeah, they only have one album coming out, and I don't know if they were even ready to play more, but I wanted it.


To be sure, Those Darlins aren't masters at their instruments, but that's what adds to their charm. Even if the music is amateur-ish and bouncy (in a good way, sounding as if it was meant to be), they mean everything they sing and play, and they do it all with an attitude.

Hrmm. I guess they do have something in common with their name.

Note: I recorded an interview with them prior to the show and you can find it here. The band and I talk about their origins (including their name), the music that inspire them and their trip and attention at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, TX. This is my first time doing an audio interview, but hopefully it isn't too rough to listen to.