Bent Knee Album Release Party – 10/14/19
▣Great Scott | Allston, MA ▣Monday, October 14th 2019
Last Monday night was not your ordinary Monday- Boston band Bent Knee was having their 5th album release party at Great Scott. The album was first released Friday, so I had a chance to listen to it first, which made me excited to see them perform live. This was my first time hearing of them, and I couldn’t help but ask myself, “Where have I been for the past decade…how have I not heard of Bent Knee?!” Their performance made me a fan, but we’ll get to that soon.
I made it to the venue in time for the opening act, Goody Bag. The start of their set really threw me for a loop, I was thinking it was going to be a rock or a folk performance…but it was actually experimental rap. After their first song, I wasn’t sure how to feel about them, but as their set continued, I actually found myself digging these guys. The Boston duo consists of Mark Aylward (vocals/keyboards) and Kyle Harris (drums). Together they put on an electric performance, and I hope one day I can catch their “Baddy Bag” performance. Go check them out on their Instagram account, we put a link down below.
Now it was time for the band we came here to see. With a sold-out crowd behind them, Bent Knee took the stage. The experimental progressive-rock sextet first formed back in 2009 when Courtney Swain (Vocals/Keyboards) and Bent Levin (lead guitar, backing vocals) were both attending Berklee College of Music. Things have changed quite a bit since then, in fact, Swain was recently quoted saying “We’ve been around the block and we’re ready to make our mark”. And, with the release of their new album “You Know What They Mean”, and tonight’s performance, she couldn’t be more right.
What I like most about this band is how versatile Swain’s vocals are. I could sit here and compared her to any other great artists I’ve heard, but I won’t, because she has her own defining sound. It’s edgy, it’s unique, and it is beautiful. Her voice is backed up perfectly by the rest of the band, song after song, they all work so well as a unit. They were having fun up on stage and it was liberating to watch. I also love how hard they sound, but still manage to maintain such a beautiful approach to their music. Levin even did some crowd-surfing. Their album release party performance was stellar and converted me to a fan. Go pick up their new album now, you will see what I am talking about! And if you see them coming to a city near you, go check them out…they are NOT to be missed!
Review & Photos: Carlos Londono
Check out the band’s website for more info!
GOODY BAG
BENT KNEE
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