Date: October 14, 2014
Venue: Rockwood Music Hall (NY)

Concert Review by Dante Mann

Photo by John Greco

It is rare when two folk musicians can keep a room’s rapt attention and intimately engaged for the entirety of a performance. These Georgia-to-New York transplants, Mark Rogers and Mary Byrne accomplished such a feat last Tuesday, kicking off a tour in support of their beautifully titled new album I Line My Days With Your Weight.

Rogers and Byrne played Rockwood Music Hall showcasing an eclectic modern folk sound with a southern noir sensibility left me pleasantly surprised and wanting to hear more. Byrne provided nimble, full lead vocals with a slight grittiness, which complimented Rogers’ elegant fingerpicking, slide playing, and precise sense for melody. Maintaining a minimalist framework they managed to supplement it with a dynamic and robust sound. The refrains were catchy enough to remember and the duo utilized the spaces between the melody and instrumental cutaways to put their own unique spin on the music and likewise the performance.

Mark Rogers and Mary Byrne have exceptional talent but more importantly, a provocative chemistry when playing live. I look forward to seeing them in concert again. Stay connected for a review of their new release I Line My Days With Your Weight.