Mo Lowda & The Humble

Thread

Mo Lowda & the Humble. Photo: Theburoakmadison.com

Good Morning!

Today we’re listening to “Thread” by Mo Lowda & The Humble

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During the pandemic, the phrase "Alone Together" bothered me—even more once it acquired a hashtag and became a thing. I get that the best of intentions were behind it, but like those just-a-little too serious ads referring to public-facing workers as heroes, it felt like anesthesia. As if speaking hushed tones and solemn piano notes could make us all feel better about being under house arrest.

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In many ways, the digital writing world is (an admittedly much) cooler version of this. Each genre has its own ecosystem awash with parasocial relationships/friendships and collaborations. It works well, but when distilled down, everyone is still siloed.

Zoom meetings and email are great at connecting dots. They’re not so hot at forging connections.

I love that I can talk to and work with people from anywhere on the globe, but I always thought it’d be nice to meet some of these people in person, even if you’re not sure what to expect.

So I did.

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Chris Zappa is the man behind the killer

Zappagram

newsletter, and we live in the same town. We've cyber-known each other for a few years now, having first connected as writers on Medium. We set up "once this is all over" style plans during the lockdown and joke about running into each other at the same Target. But real life had a funny habit of getting in the way of all of that.

I recently noted that my no-concert streak had finally broken after 1680 days. This time the drought only lasted 25. Chris & I were going to see a show ‘cause what else are two music writers gonna do when let out into the real world?

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the bands. I knew Chris was a huge fan of openers Illiterate Light and had struck up a friendship with frontman Jeff Gorman. Me? I think I knew two songs. Illiterate Light puts out a lot of sound for being a duo. They were great onstage and really down to Earth off of it. Their latest LP, Sunburned, has been in heavy rotation this past week and will likely make a run for a spot on the AOTY list come December.

A mediocre pic of a great band. Photo by me.

As for headliners Mo Lowda & the Humble? I knew even less. Zip. Zero. Nada. And apparently, I was the last person in this town that didn’t. Chris and I were surrounded by people singing along to every song. Like us, the band had made plans ( tour to support a record, etc.) only to be derailed by COVID. Instead, they recorded a second album and are now touring in support of both.

This was a band with two records worth of steam to blow off, and on this 2nd night of the tour, they did just that. Their sound is what might happen if Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats and Kings of Leon combined. They’ve got a lot of soul and are just rough enough around the edges. They know when to be slow and when to be all gas & no brakes.

I’m not sure what I expected, but we were treated to one helluva set.

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More:

Mo Lowda & the Humble shows moody intensity, but also a freshness; a gameness to play with tempo, sound, and form. Caiolas’ vocals embody a certain juxtaposition: he sounds contemplative, bordering on mournful at times, then, just as quickly, triumphant, all the while maintaining a captivating resonance.

Click here to read the rest of the album review.

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Listen:

“Thread” by Mo Lowda & The Humble | S/T, 2023

Click the record to listen on the platform of your choice.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this track!

Thanks for being here,

Kevin—

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