The Strumbellas Concert Review: Indie Folk Pop Coming Alive

The Strumbellas, a Canadian rock band based in Toronto, played a much-anticipated, sold-out show on April 5 in The Sinclair. Formed in 2008, the band produces music at the intersection of indie rock, alternative country, folk rock, and folk pop. Band members Jimmy Chauveau, Isabel Ritchie, David Ritter, Jeremy Drury, Darryl James, and Jon Hembrey infused the venue with a larger-than-life spirituality and energy through their lively transitions and stage presence.

Spotlit underneath blue hues, the band emerged to raucous excitement from the crowd. After performing at the House of Blues five years ago, this was the first time The Strumbellas toured again in the United States. The terms “legendary,” “monumental,” and “epic” could easily describe the music the band played. The setlist consisted of fan favorites mixed with reflective, introspective tunes, including “We Don’t Know,” “Greatest Enemy,” “Wars,” and “Spirits.” The stage’s closeness to the audience created an intimate atmosphere from the beginning of the evening, when Chauveau said a nostalgic hello to the crowd.

Chauveau said a nostalgic hello to the crowd By Ava E. Stone

On the violin, Richie added a raw dimension to their performance — especially when she stood, elevated above the rest of the band, to play the bridge in “We Don’t Know,” a section filled with trills, perfect fourths, and arpeggiated anticipation. Richie’s connection with her violin — a feeling that is largely missing from the modern indie music scene — was strongly felt throughout the venue.. The string instrument’s rawness brought The Strumbellas back to an era where music was refreshingly real.

During one transition, Ritter addressed the audience, joking that he could start a song with his mind. Walking out from behind his keyboard to the front of the stage, he entertained the audience by false-starting the song a few times before diving into a powerful rendition of “Greatest Enemy.” His contagious, joyful energy and infectious smile permeated their music. Ritter’s camaraderie with his bandmates, especially Chauveau, brought together the two sides of the stage and seemingly all four walls of The Sinclair. The ease with which he engaged with the audience underscored the band’s love for performing and for each other.

The audience sang soulfully along with closing favorites “Salvation” and “Spirits.” “I like to dance under streetlights / and walk up on the clouds,” Chauveau sang candidly to the audience, as he was lit up — not under streetlights — but the stage lights of Sinclair. Walking to the edge of the stage and reaching towards those in the front row, he was one with the audience.

Tonight, the not-so-small indie folk band from Canada certainly made the Sinclair come alive. By Ava E. Stone

“And I don’t want a never-ending life / I just want to be alive / While I’m here,” Chauveau sang in “Spirits.” Music is clearly a salvation for the Strumbellas. Tonight, the not-so-small indie folk band from Canada certainly made the Sinclair come alive.

—Staff writer Emma Y. Miao can be reached at emma.miao@thecrimson.com.