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Tim, my collegiate cohort, and I took the redline to Shubas Tavern several weekends ago to see the Breathe Owl Breathe show on a somber Sunday evening. Strand of Oaks and Chief were the openers, but those sets are going to require an entirely fresh post. The first thing frontman Micah Middaugh told the crowd was that he would love if everyone would take a seat and get in a comfy position. I might add that he has a polite, quiet composure that creates a peaceful atmosphere in the entire venue (see Home video below). The band's humble presence mixed with the tavern's candles and quiet audience made for the most quaint of settings. The group began their set with "Lake Light" and Micah instigated the crowd to create wind/wave noises to set the mood. Picture an entire crowd sitting on the floor indian style, whispering waves to compliment the beautiful mixture of acoustic guitar and cello, the latter played by the gifted Andréa Moreno-Beals. Each song was performed in this manner. It was like I was sitting amidst a story time from my childhood classrooms. The banter between songs brought the audience together and created a connection between the band and us. It might sound cliche, but Breathe Owl Breathe made me feel special the entire set. For "Swimming", Micah put on goggles and flippers to accompany his swimming dance. On "Where Wolf", Andrea put on a wolf mother hat and crooned in an uncomfortable but passionate and beautiful manner as Micah pretended to be a subconscious teenage wolf who shaved his hair in order to fit in with the humans at school. The show was so intimate and when it all came to an end, it was hard to leave and walk back out into the windy city. I talked to Micah afterward, almost to test whether he could really be as friendly as his stage persona related, and he impressed me yet again as we talked for a little while about fishing in Wisconsin. This amazing group has a charity project where they are making a nonprofit storybook for children to accompany their music. They might just be the perfect band to play this winter as you curl up with your cocoa after a day in the cold. Enjoy! ~Tony
Breathe Owl Breathe - "Across The Loch"
Breathe Owl Breathe - "Own Stunts"
Breathe Owl Breathe - "Swimming"
Download the band's Daytrotter Session. It's supa fly.
Breathe Owl Breathe- Dogwalkers of the New Age (Live at OPB) from opbmusic.org on Vimeo.
Breathe Owl Breathe - Home from Mostly Midwest on Vimeo.
Breathe Owl Breathe - Own Stunts from Magic Central on Vimeo.
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