PUTNEY — Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present indie/folk/rock quintet Winterpills, plus Roots-Rock/Junk-Folk trio Rusty Belle at Next Stage on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
One of the most exciting bands to emerge from Northampton, Mass., in recent years, Winterpills plays haunting, delicate, dynamic music with shimmering melodies and aching lyrics.
Critically praised as a mirror of sorrows and a beacon of hope, Philip Price (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Flora Reed (vocals, keyboards), Dennis Crommett (vocals, guitar), Max Germer (bass) and Dave Hower (drums, shaken things) maintain their signature chamber-pop ambience while exploring new ground sonically and lyrically.
A performer with a background in '90s powerpop (The Maggies) as well as solo-acoustic songwriting, Price formed Winterpills with Reed, Crommett and Hower in 2004, crafting a neat balance of heartrending lyrics, dreamy pop and hushed guy-girl vocal harmonies.
Winterpills' music has been used in numerous television shows, including the ABC show “Grey's Anatomy,” and the U.K. series “Skins.” Last October, Winterpills released their fifth full-length album, the archival cover's project Echolalia.
Unpredictable, original and raw, Amherst, Mass.-based Rusty Belle brings a fresh approach to a convergence of musical genres. Matt Lorenz, Kate Lorenz and Zak Trojano harmonize with intuitive strength while laying down a percussive layer of junk drums, classical and electric guitars and an odd array of melodic instruments.