It begins with a simple waltz guitar hook. Then it begins to fill out: a tip-toeing piano, then gentle pitter-patter of cymbals that introduces a steady bass line. The basic rhythms eventually swell like a wave crashing into vibrating vocal and viola harmonies.
It gets noisy, to the brink of nonsense. Then something dials it back – a single voice or a simple thump of a bass drum that arrests the clattering atmosphere.
So it goes with American Trashbird’s song “Elaida.” And though it could’ve easily been performed solo by frontman Kenny Chung, the heartbroken ballad is more dramatic, sincere and relatable with the five-person band contributing.
This version, however, came from a live show back in May at Pierce Ranch Vineyards – the last show violist, Deanna Lynn played before moving to Oregon. Now the band is made up of Chung (vocals/guitar), Alaina Musich (vocals/keys/synth), Rory Glass (bass) and Steven Belleci (drums). Despite less than a year playing together, chemistry is coming quickly.
Luckily for Chung, who put out the original Facebook post for this band, his eventual bandmates were all accomplished before the group formed. Musich is a former competitive pianist and is currently a vocal and piano teacher at Dennis Murphy School of Music. Glass is a multi-instrumentalist known for filling out the sound for singer-songwriters like Michael Glines and Casey Frazier. Belleci is the “least” experienced but was the former drummer of local funk band The Crosby and folk outfit Valley Soul. Chung had been performing as a solo artist in the Monterey country/folk music scene.
For so much talent and varied experience, Trashbird’s musical direction is cohesive – and evolving. They started playing Chung’s songs, but now they’re beginning to collaborate on songwriting.
“We try not to step on each other’s sonic toes,” Glass says. For example, after adding viola, they softened the hard blues-rock tendencies of Chung’s songs.
They’re headed for a more rock ‘n’ roll style, evident when practicing “Treetops.” The song leaned toward bluegrass in the past, but now they’re pushing the pace of the bass and drums and Chung’s voice is rawer than ever. Glass sums up their sound best: “We’re an American amalgamation of beautiful noises.”
For Saturday’s “Halloween Trash Bash” at Lighthouse Smokehouse, they join indie rocker Cowboy Starr and Fleetwood Mac-esque blues harmonizers Valley Soul on a triple bill.