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Strand of Oaks at the Tralf Music Hall (7/25/15)

Let me start this review with a gripe of mine. I really do love the Tralf as a venue. It’s a good space, the booking is on point, and the staff there is awesome. That said, they inexplicably decide to put up table seating arrangements for the majority of shows. Oft I would say 75% of the time this just leads to the crowd pushing the tables back and standing in front anyway. Other times, it just completely depletes the energy from the crowd and totally ruins the vibe. I start my review this way though not to complain, but to praise the adaptability of Timothy Showalter. I’ve stated that I thought HEAL, Showalter’s latest release as Strand of Oaks, was one of the purest rock albums I’d heard in a while. So watching he and his band mates take the stage, prepping to rip into the songs from that album, I[...]

Tonight: Strand of Oaks

About this time last summer, I remember hearing a genuine surprise of a record, one that seemingly came out of nowhere but was one of the purest distillations of rock music I’d heard in some time. That record was Strand of Oaks’ HEAL, a deeply personal and at times harrowing record but one so incredibly full of life. I hadn’t known of Tim Showalter’s previous releases but after being blown away by that record, I quickly became a fan. A year later, the Indiana-native makes his way to bring his signature soulful rock sound to Buffalo at the Tralf Music Hall. After a year of much praised festival and late night appearances, the band seem to be as well-tuned a force as they’ll ever be. To say that I’m excited for tonight’s show would be an understatement, this will be one show not to miss. Doors open this evening at[...]

Just Announced: Strand of Oaks

One of 2014’s best success stories came from Timothy Showalter’s Strand of Oaks project. Last summer, the Philadelphia rocker released his acclaimed new album, the emotionally raw Heal, which was anchored by the blistering lead single, “Goshen 97” and the devastatingly nostalgic nod to Song: Ohio’s Jason Molina on “JM.” In leaving some of his folk roots behind, Heal would go on to find itself on countless year end lists and put Showalter under an unexpected spotlight. To keep the momentum going, Showalter will take Strand of Oaks on a summer tour in support of Heal, which will include a stop in Buffalo on Saturday, July 25th at the Tralf Music Hall Tickets will go on sale this Friday, Apri 3rd at noon, for $10.