Northeast Ohio’s Come Wind and Indiana’s SONS recently wrapped up a short run around the Midwest at Rumba Cafe in Columbus, OH. It was an intimate setting for 3 bands with huge sounds, and the evening was certainly a memorable one.
Columbus based OceanSpeak opened the show with their unique brand of atmospheric indie rock. As Cities Burn (Come Now Sleep era) had a noticeable but not overt influence on the band’s sound, but what really made them stand out was their compelling and unique way of performing. In darkness, the show began with two black-light lit drums paraded into the center of the floor amidst ethereal echos of a didgeridoo (yes, they had the actual instrument onstage). Dyed water was poured on the drums for a choreographed water drum routine, apparently to put the “Ocean” in OceanSpeak. Quite an opening. The band are all great musicians too! My favorite moment (other than the opening) was probably halfway through the set during “Hawa” when they had a drum duet of sorts going. “Hawa” also has a killer riff carrying it. Suffice to say that OceanSpeak is probably the best thing I’ve discovered this year from the Columbus area.
SONS followed OceanSpeak with a straightforward set similar to the past couple times I’ve seen them. It was great to see them play in a setting where people were actually into their songs, singing along. This was especially evident on “Doubt” and “Masters of the Flattery,” which bookended their set. The mild-mannered demeanor of the band shrinks a lot when performing, especially on the part of front-man Aaron Newberry. This evening was no exception. Other highlights from the set included “Believe In Something” and “Retribution,” both personal favorites from Keep Quiet.
Come Wind played a roughly half dozen song set, essentially showcasing the Grow My Roots EP, a true masterpiece of 2012. “Hesitation,” “Rend Your Heart,” and “Sleep” all moved the audience to sing and engage the music in their own way, but things really got interesting when all members began to interact with drum kits (or portions of them), creating their own breakdown. In contrast with OceanSpeak, this was less for theatrical effect and more about just getting lost in the music. While dual lead vocalists Nick Sayre and Aaron Troyer preferred their emotion to carry over in a more subdued form, bass player Tal Miller and drummer Ben Roth let their passion shine in quite the animated way. The driving, epic “Pockets” ended the night in a pensive, albeit beautiful note.
Takeaway from the evening: Come Wind, SONS and OceanSpeak are all worth your time and vastly underrated.
