SOTE: Molly, Temperances, Oberlin/Bacon, Schrocks
Molly has an intensity of purpose during performance that makes it hard to look anywhere else when she's singing. This intensity also feeds her playing, her activism, and her fierce love for her family, including husband Scott Schultz. This deep soul sound comes from years in the trenches playing for their lives. Molly and Scott are both longtime veterans of the Grand Rapids music scene, through such acts as Vox Vidorra, Blue Molly, and Happy Hour, and very soon Molly's debut solo album, with Scott backing her up in every way possible. New album, newish parents, and battles ahead both old and new: the Schultz family is fighting for themselves and all of us to have the lives we deserve.
Sallie Bacon is a studious, classically trained bassist who teaches bass and viola at Triumph Music Academy in Grand Rapids. Brian Oberlin is a master of the mandolin with a long history of playing bluegrass, folk, classical, and the kitchen sink fusion that was the band Grasshoppah, whom I saw several times back in the day. As a couple since 2019, they have been mixing their chocolate and their peanut butter, finding ways to blend classical pieces, gypsy swing, and bluegrass knee slappers with disconcerting ease. What may not be clear from all these high class bona fides is that their music is FUN, even goofy sometimes. She keeps him grounded, and he keeps her off her toes, and the sweet spot in the middle is where we are.
In July 2023, there was a writers round performance at the Stray in Wyoming, featuring Olivia Vargas, Marley Kaye, Audrey Pearson, and Monte Pride. With apologies to Mr. Pride, the other three could hear something special in the blend of their voices right away. After two other three headed shows in September and January, it was clear that this was a band, founded on shared principles of vulnerability, introspection, and reflection, not to mention otherworldly harmonies that left them grinning like idiots. In May 0f 2024, they officially launched as the Temperances, a melding of Olivia's soul sounds, Audrey's pop folk sunshine, and Marley's cloud of brooding indie music. In addition to the thriving solo careers of all three artists, the Temperances have become an outlet for the spirit of collaboration that runs through so much of the best Michigan music. There are no recordings available yet, but we here tonight are in on the ground floor for a future full of thorny ideas expressed in the smoothest of sounds.
Each of the three women in the Temperances have multiple skill sets and outlets for their creativity: Marley and Audrey both work as sound engineers for the Stray in Wyoming, Olivia offers voice and piano lessons through her home studio, Audrey gives guitar lessons through Guitar Haven in Grand Haven, Olivia leads the soul-pop band August, Marley plays both as Marsfade and with her brother in the band Low Phase, and Audrey has a solo catalog to explore. Each artist has music available in the lobby, plus the Temperances are offering a set of three tarot cards exclusive to this show. While you can't buy their music yet, you can take home an utterly unique souvenir of this evening.
The Schrock Brothers, an Americana/blues/roots band from Fennville, has a slightly misleading name: brothers Jasen and Andrew Schrock are invariably joined by their father, Mark, and frequently joined by a rotating cast of honorary brothers, including Michael Shimmin, Peter "Madcat" Ruth, and Terrence Massey, among others. Slippery linguistics. But what's beyond doubt is the honey sweet sound of chiming mandolins, strummed guitars, and glorious three part harmony served up on a bedrock of soul and respect for the audience. Last year saw the release of their debut album (after over a decade as a band), Faith In Love, available everywhere, including the lobby.
posted by Chad Wedeven | Friday, March 21, 2025
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