Red Molly to hit stage at Caffe Lena
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Red Molly is a trio of female singers who exist somewhere between being popular and as a cult-favorite.
The group which is playing at Caffe Lena on Friday, even has a group of devoted fans who are called the Red Heads. For proof of their popularity, the trio’s 8 p.m. performance in Saratoga Springs has already sold out and a 5:30 p.m. show has been added.
Even Red Molly’s formation has a touch of legend about it. After performing as individuals at the 2004 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival many of the performers at the festival hung around singing at a communal camp fire. The last three singing were Laurie MacAllister, Abbie Gardner and Carolann Solebello. They so much enjoyed the sound of their three-part harmonies that they decided to form a group.
And, Red Molly was born. (Solebello left the group in 2010, to pursue a solo career. She was replaced by Molly Venter.)
In a recent telephone interview one of the founders, Abbie Gardner says that original meeting somehow set the tone of Red Molly. She said performing is what gives the three performers their joy and fuels their inspiration, but they consciously take time off from touring to focus on their individual muses.
They were off the road for two years 2015-17 and Friday’s Caffe Lena’s shows are their first gig in almost 6 months. They perform again on Sunday at the Broadway Ballroom in New York City, but don’t have another date until their next major tour starts in April.
Gardner says this break is a bonus for the Caffe Lena audience. “We are all anxious to perform together. Since we only have these two dates it will be like a moment in time for us. We will be fresh, anxious to perform and in a situation where we don’t have to pace ourselves. We can enjoy each song and give it our full energy.
“It should be a special show.”
What can one expect at a Red Molly show? Gardner had trouble slotting the group within a specific genre. She settled for the umbrella description of “Americana,” which covers folk, bluegrass, country and blues. “Anything that uses a strong three-part harmony is what we do best,” she says. Continuing, she adds, “Basically, we like our songs to tell a story and to generate emotion. We like feelgood music and, to tell the truth, we prefer joyful.”
Gardner says that throughout their career they have been evolving. “It’s the only way to last,” she says. One obvious change to their performance is they are now backed by a twopiece rhythm section. Craig Akin is on the upright bass and Eben Pariser plays percussion and electric guitar. “We used the back-up for a recording we did, and it worked well.
“We really miss their energy if we go on stage without them.”
The more important, philosophical change in Red Molly is more subtle. “We were all about performing. The material was important, but it was the sheer joy of being together on stage that drove us,” she explained. “Now the songs are driving us more and more.”
To that end, the break through April will focus on songwriting. Like any group dedicated to folk and roots music, Red Molly is aware of their social surroundings.
Gardner observes, “We are bombarded by divisiveness. No one respects other views. We cannot be connected if we don’t listen to each other.” Her solution is, “People have to get out of their houses and spend time in a communal atmosphere with their neighbors. Listening to music is a good start. Music connects people.”
That she says has always been the goal for a Red Molly concert. “We sing joyful songs that bond individuals. We don’t do negativity. Our new material will be hopeful, and perhaps let people realize it is OK not to agree on everything.
“We want to focus on things about which we can agree.”
Red Molly is at Caffe Lena, Jan. 10. 5:30 and 8 p.m. (the late show is sold out). For tickets and information call (518) 583-0022.