Wildbirds & Peacedrums, Ramona Falls at Bruar Falls

Swedish husband and wife duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums took the crowd at Bruar Falls by storm. Many, including the drummer of Ramona Falls, agreed that we all had witnessed one of the best live shows ever. The singer Mariam Wallentin's voice combined Southern Spirituals and Björk-like melodies with jazz improvisations. Her husband Andreas Werliin's tribal and complex drum rhythms fed off her vocals. The result was a refreshing improvisational collaboration. The only thing that comes to mind to compare them to is a more soulful and savage incarnation of Siouxsie Sioux and Budgie's side project The Creatures. In addition to singing Mariam also played steel drums, harmonica and beat drum sticks on various surfaces. The duo's musical spontaneity and strong confidence set a high water mark for a live show. Video below to catch a glimpse of brilliance.


Next up was Brent Knopf's of Menomena new project Ramona Falls. There music kind of has more synthesized Andrew Bird type thing going on with the strings mixed with a high on the neck place capo, nylon string guitar sound. Knopf's voice sometimes bring to mind Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie. They opened with their song "Russia" off their debut Intuit, but it was like seeing a barber shop quartet play after The Swans. There wasn't an once of musical excitement left in room. Ramona Falls is a fun band and the show would had been much more interesting but not after such an emotional roller coaster ride of Wildbirds & Peacedrums set. The band couldn't bring the crowd back to the lofty heights again. The drummer of Ramona Falls said it best. "Thanks to Wildbirds & Peacedrums for playing the best live show I've ever seen in my life, right before we go on, Thanks Guys!".