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I’d first like to point out this interesting phenomenon that’s going on here in Little Rock.  We’re almost like the sister state of North Carolina these days.  I mean, every time I turn my back there’s a new NC based band here.  First American Aquarium, then Red Collar, and now Roman Candle have invaded The Natural State.  I’ve probably forgotten a few, but these are the ones that stand out in my mind, and I’m continually surprised and amazed by all these individual musicians and their respective groups.  I wonder who’ll be next?  It’s probably a good bet that they’ll be great as well, but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself.

With that being said, Roman Candle, originally of Chapel Hill, North Carolina who have now semi-relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, certainly made a positive impression on me last night at their show at Juanita’s Cantina Ballroom.  I’m not entirely sure how they got on the bill opening for Rocco Deluca, but I’ll address that in a while.

As I walked in, I was greeted to an energetic, five piece band.  Roman Candle had already taken the stage and were most likely a couple songs in to their set.  The first thing I noticed was Skip Matheny’s commanding vocals.  If one were to drift and lose focus, his vocals would certainly wake you up and pull you back in, magnetic if you have it.  The next thing I noticed and couldn’t keep my mind off of was the fact that the keyboard, bass, and drums were the three instruments to stick out.  It may have just been the sound system, because the guitar on the album is more pronounced, but it was a nice change of pace for once.  Because of that fact, the vocals were a bit difficult to hear over the actual music, but were the most clear and spirited during their song “One Hundred Thousand Miles,” which coincidentally was my favorite tune of the night.

Each song tells a story.  I appreciate musicians who are able to tell a concise, interesting tale within the span of a five minute song.  It is such a talent that many, but not all possess, and to be able to do it in such a vivid & vibrant way is truly a gift.  With all of the right elements combined, their set was fluid and a pure pleasure to watch.  Exhibiting a carefree attitude, they look like they’re have a lot of fun on stage, and that is such an integral quality a band should have.  If a band isn’t having fun, chances are the audience isn’t, but thankfully that was not the case here.  In my opinion, a band is supposed to capture their audience’s attention, and that is something this group does extremely well.  

It is beyond me as to why Roman Candle was opening for Rocco Deluca and The Burden.  The opening band is supposed to get people geared up to see the headliner, but RC stole the show in my opinion.  They left me on a positively high note, but out of respect for Deluca, I stayed through his set.  Personally I see no redeeming factors to his music.  I fail to see the comparisons to U2, Thom Yorke, & Jeff Buckley among others that have been mentioned.  The thing that no one could miss was his insistent whining.  I feel as if he should leave that to Ben Gibbard, who has built a pretty decent career on doing similar things.  Just because you are on Kiefer Sutherland’s co-owned record label, Ironworks, does not automatically make you good.  I was thoroughly under impressed, but I urge you to make your own mind up about him.

Roman Candle should have played the whole night.  Frankly, I think it would have made several other people other than myself happier.  The only thing I would change about their show would be to bring to a smaller, more intimate venue like White Water Tavern.  While they are seriously lovely folks, I’d rather see them at a venue where the crowd could interact with them more.  Other than that one small change, I sincerely hope to see good things happen to this band because they are hardworking, and it most definitely shines through their music.

-L

www.romancandlemusic.com
www.myspace.com/romancandle

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