FOLLY AND THE HUNTER @ Divan Orange 7/5/2011

  Divan Orange the perfect venue for folk performance, suiting perfectly Folly and the Hunter’s soft but grounded sound. This newly established local band were to perform songs from a first album entitled Residents.

Folly And The Hunter’s took place as the Divan’s regulars and fans started to gather around the stage. The band was was warmly welcome by everyone, except maybe for obnoxiously loud hipsters who were playing baby foot in the back of the room. Just to prove how annoying the situation was, lead singer Nick Vallee even cheered with the troublemakers in a sarcastic gesture.

Without exaggerating, I would say that this band is one of the most promising figure of Montreal’s indie scene. As a matter of fact, the band has been receiving from all around the world extremely positive reviews their first album. Their music has also been featured on numerous indie playlists.  Not bad, for a band which was only formed a year ago. 

The band offered on Saturday a solid performance of original material plus a cover of  ‘’I Was Only Going Out’’ by Lonely Dear to close off the set, also dedicated to a missing bandmate. Folly And The Hunter’s effectiveness finds itself in a blend of many successful elements. Fist of all, the musicians are both talented and work in symbiosis and this synergy is palpable in their sound. Then the songs offers simple but somewhat sophisticate arrangements and the lyrics are never too ‘‘cute’’ or cheesy like it is often the case with indie folk music. The singer’s falsetto voice cleverly matched with well-built harmonies makes the whole thing mostly sincere and endearing.

It would a non-sense to say or thing Folly And The Hunter’s talent will not lead them anywhere. All can do is spread the world and be proud is this Montreal’s and hope for them to get more fans and recognition - they are forging ahead, and it’s going very well.