Written and reviewed by Krysta Ayers
MAY 13, ANTONE’S—Seeing a show on a Tuesday in Austin can feel incongruous when the rest of the city is winding down on a “school night.” But Antone’s, and the Live Music Capital of the World, as the city has been anointed, always has a show to pop into. Enter Florist, a Brooklyn-based band formed in 2013 and fronted by Emily Sprague. One-third of their way into their Jellywish Tour and the American indie folk band stopped here to play their soft and slow, vulnerable songs.
When I made my way to the venue, I found myself behind a couple, perhaps visiting the city, who decided to take a chance on the band on the marquee. I overheard them asking the door guy if tickets were available and if they could pop in to see the show. (The great thing about this city and its never-ending pool of music is discovering new music.) Trailing behind them, I finally caught a glimpse of the stage, and inside, the small, dedicated group of fans huddled close to the band performing.
As is the case with American folk music, it engenders people to pay attention; you’ve gotta quiet the chatter to listen to the lyrics and note the emotions the cycle of chords elicit. The “indie” part that Florist adds to this, the part that brings us into the 21st century and away from comparisons to Pete Seegar or Bob Dylan, are the synthesizers and electric guitars.
Aside from the electric guitars, synthesizers, and keyboards, though, this is a quiet show. At times, the crowd, whether so wrapped up in the song or unsure whether it had truly ended, clapped with delayed praise.
Halfway through the set, I looked over to gauge other crowd reactions, and saw a beautiful moment for live music (and the reason that shows are so important, especially when you’re young): a young woman, who had her boyfriend’s arms wrapped around her, was locked into every word and silently crying and wiping away tears with each new song. Sprague introduced a few songs with a snippet of background info; “This one is about the fear of losing this,” talking about the fortune of being able to travel and sing songs for a living. And it’s that vulnerability and openness that seems to be connecting with the crowd.
Florist is all show—an unplugged show from the days when MTV played music. They are deeply focused on playing their songs, no matter how awkward the silences in between get, or how loud the voices from the bar get. Sprague’s voice blooms into the speakers like the spring season we’re in, delicate but simultaneously bold and colorful in the range of notes. The bass is straightforward, no funky grooves. And the drums are subtle, but necessary for the backdrop of the sweet and tender lyrics.
The band’s tour will hit the West Coast and Midwest before stopping in Canada and heading back east—covering all their bases in one month as the tour ends May 31. If you find yourself wanting to slow down, or if you need to cry it out (who doesn’t these days?), go ahead and give Florist a listen.