Have you ever been to a show that was so incredible you wanted to call everyone you know and berate them for not being there too? Living in Burlington, this is sort of a rare circumstance — not because performances around town are rarely good, but rather that nearly everyone I know usually attends most of the better shows in the area. Thus, it’s always somewhat surprising to be at a venue in Burlington and not see at least 10 people I’m familiar with. Such was the case last night at the newly-christened crepe cafe, The Skinny Pancake.

If you’ve been following the bouncing ball through the music section lately, you might have noticed that I’ve developed something of a love affair with Portland, OR’s Horse Feathers. Folks who are familiar with my past musical endeavors know that I’m a sucker for melancholia. If it’s sad and pretty, I’m probably gonna love it. Perhaps that explains my crush on Feist — well, that, and she’s totally hot.

Anyway, the group headlined the SP’s inaugural show last night and, quite frankly, blew my fucking mind. I’ve been enamored with their album since it mysteriously appeared on my desk a few weeks ago — at that point there was no scheduled gig in B-town — and was floored to find that their live performance is even more intimately affecting than their stunning debut.

If you were to spread pancake batter on an over-sized griddle, sprinkle in bits of Nick Drake, a dash of Elliott Smith and smother it with sweet Hem syrup, than you, my friend, would be eating a tasty Horse Feathers crepe.

Wow. That might have been the worst analogy I’ve ever written.

In any event, if you’re into sad music, do yourself a favor and check this band out. And if you’re hungry, you should swing by the SP and check that out too. It’s a nifty little joint.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Local freak-folkie, Austin Sirch, opened the show and was terrific as well. I’d never seen him before and was totally impressed. So much so that I’m going to mention he’s playing Exposure on WRUV tonight. Tune in.

Oh shit. I also forgot to mention that the lovely folks a Tick Tick put the whole thing together. Nice job, guys (and gals).

Dan Bolles is a culture coeditor at Seven Days. He joined the paper in 2007 as its music editor, covering Vermont's robust music, comedy and nightlife scenes for a decade before deciding he was too old to be going to the Monkey House on weeknights to see rock shows for a living. He became assistant arts editor in 2017 and culture coeditor in 2021. Bolles has received numerous local and national awards for his writing on Vermont arts, sports and the occasional celebrity canine murder mystery. He loves...

17 replies on “The Skinny”

  1. Yes, Broadwayesque it was…Funny shit turns up when you google your own name. Cheers from Chapel Hill,Max

  2. Yes, Broadwayesque it was…Funny shit turns up when you google your own name. Cheers from Chapel Hill,Max

  3. yes, it’s me..i like the pants too. i also got this ‘sounds around burlington’ comp from one of my high school friends recently, but it’s mostly unlistenable except for the velvet ovum band. i think i might move back to burlington. let’s start a noise band. and put out limited edition casettes.

  4. D-O? Is that you? The lynchpin of the Gay Horns?On the Lemcke thing, I just hung out at a strange wedding with him. We talked about all the burlington bands we hate…boy do we hate some Burlington bands….then we talked about how much we love(d?) the Pant(S). Sigh.

  5. did not someone write that tyler’s bass playing was the lynchpin in our “ska-chine?” anyhow, i was visiting my parents in vt recently and saw that you are writing for 7 days now, dan. keep up the good work. -dan

  6. Not that I’m keeping a list, but Max Owre at Good Citizen labeled me with that particular cutesy description. I’ll get you too Max . . . West Side Story-style.

  7. I remember Brad, but Steve was more “my generation” and was the guy holding the post when Queen City music was really taking off. Searles certainly laid the foundation, but Lemcke put up the drywall. Or something.With all due respect to the esteemed P’s, Scene and Heard was generally a more reliable source for local music dirt than the short-lived Vox. Though Vox did a great job with the artsier fare, those looking for rock coverage were usually better served by Searles, especially since — as Mr. Cleary kindly pointed out — they came from the scene. Kinda like you and me, my fine contrarian friend.Since 7Days was founded in 1995, the BFP columnists — or at least Searles — were already firmly entrenched by the time our little rag came to life. It wasn’t long before 7Days music coverage was kicking BFP’s ass up and down Church Street, but Lemcke and Searles deserve credit for getting the ball rolling.

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