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The Onlies, others are set to play Wesley Fest
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Written by
Matthew Sigur
Fawn Larson and Will Harrison have been playing music together since th...Written by
Matthew Sigur
Fawn Larson and Will Harrison have been playing music together since the first day they met.
They met last summer at The Station in Broussard. They had heard about each other's talent. Larson was playing an array of instruments, backing up local singer-songwriter Sean Bruce. Harrison was playing bass for another local, Josh LeBreton.
Since then, Larson and Harrison have become a folk sweetheart duo, performing under the moniker The Onlies.
"It's pretty easy," Larson said. referring to their lives as a couple and bandmates. "We're always together anyway. We don't have to have 'official practices.' I don't ever feel like my guard is up. It's probably the
opposite."
"There are no problems with egos with us," Harrison added. "It's easier to tell her, 'That was kind of bad, can you do it again?'"
The band's debut album was recorded within months of setting up shop in a friend's laundry room/extra bedroom/music space. This Saturday will be the band's CD release party at UL's Wesley Fest.
"There was only one argument I think on the whole CD," Harrison said, before Larson interrupted.
"That's not even an argument," Larson replied. "For the record, I won it, because it was my song."
Watching the songwriters/performers interact is like watching a romantic comedy. They're careful not to step over each other, but comfortable in each other's gaze.
The music, though, is set to a backdrop of banjos, harmonicas, fiddles and acoustic guitars. At first, the duo started, playing off of each other's songs.
"I'll write songs, and he'll write songs," Larson said.
The 10-song debut album goes back and forth from Larson's "feeling songs" and Harrison's homage to his hero, Johnny Cash. Now, the two are writing together, focusing on telling stories.
"The last four or five songs we've been writing have been more about stories and what direction the story is going in," Harrison said. "Some are dark. Some are more gospel-oriented. Some are just 'the moral of the story is this.'"
Harrison and Larson said they are trying to go back to the Dust Bowl with their band and album. The cover is a wink to Bonnie and Clyde and was done in the old-fashioned tintype
photography.
Though they are modern in their delivery, The Onlies are drawn to the old days of no worries, simplicity and feeling good.
"We're both drawn to that old-time sort of thing," Larson said, once again careful to stop when Harrison's about to talk.
"I like the pictures that those musicians paint," Harrison said. "We're imagining how it is back in that time."
You can catch The Onlies from 5-10 p.m. Saturday at UL's Wesley Fest, a folk-rock festival at the Wesley United Campus Ministry, 238 General Gardner Ave. Admission is $5. Proceeds from the event will benefit a mission trip to Malawi, South Africa to help crisis nurseries
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Times Picks
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Wesley Fest
Saturday, Feb. 4
@ Wesley United Campus Ministry at UL
Lafayette seemed to be t...Wesley Fest
Saturday, Feb. 4
@ Wesley United Campus Ministry at UL
Lafayette seemed to be the only city without its own folk festival "» until now.
This festival features six bands from South Louisiana, including Joshua LeBreton, The Onlies, Oh! Kelly, Gossamer Chorus, The Blake Simon Trio and Aaron Johnston. The festival will also serve as a CD release party for The Onlies, a multi-instrumentalist folk duo who mix Appalachian vibes with sweet harmonies.
Proceeds from the event will benefit a mission trip to Malawi, South Africa, for missionaries to work in crisis nurseries. The suggested donation is $5.
The festivities run from 5-10 p.m. The Wesley United Campus Ministry is located at 238 General Gardner Ave. 235-6073.
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The Onlies (2012)
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Are you ready to fall in love? I ain’t! It seriously makes me feel uncomfortable, even the thought o...Are you ready to fall in love? I ain’t! It seriously makes me feel uncomfortable, even the thought of it. If this is the sentimentality you like in every song on a CD then….Nah, really it was a tough listen (for me) at times, not for any musical or production purposes, just simply lyrics. A cynical embittered listener tends to turns to quicksand under the strains of consistent persuasion. The Onlies will bring you to the bright side. If it does not happen sooner, track 10, My Heart is Yours ought to do that trick. This is a targeted album, yet there are no qualifications. One must simply love organic acoustic music that is firmly planted in the country from which is sprang. This Lafayette duo is a wonderful fresh approach to lovely love music between lovers.
All the types of love shine through one set list and glare through another: Agape, Eros, Philia, Storge. Yeah I am not exaggerating, this is a shower of love. Lavender and Wine never stops proclaiming true Agape unconditional love (as prescribed and defined in 1 Corinthians 13).
Quoting scripture, “…Love is patient. Love is kind.”: Perhaps it was conviction that made me uncomfortable, not sentimentality, or a frontal attack of lovey dovey mushy war against my cynicism. This is their story of how the first meet. Much of this CD is that story retold again and again.
I hate comparing music, any art(s), and/or artists. So it turns out that this review was a perfect work for me, because my knowledge extends nowhere around these genres and topics. This is also a compliment to the ability of composers to write pieces from deep within themselves, to be confident in what they have, and brave enough to share it. For music and even more so for a whole group of songs to change a person’s attitude, this means that the creators thereof have achieved the exact altitude of artistry that all musicians strive for. This is is a phenomena that has always baffled me and one I run to and for everyday in searching out art and also in striving to be a part of it. The irony that in a sad blues song sang and played in a morose way about sad things cheers me up, keeps me curious. The Onlies have recreated that sort of clue hunting investigation for me. Thank you.
The first thing that hits your ears is the mandolin. Fawn’s powerful voice soon rises high above the tops of these droning strums the mandolin. That drone of the octaves-paired sets of strings produce, that tinny mandolin twang it gives out is like a drug to me. Higher than the Treetops opens with this soothing strumming and backs the entirety of the song. I am awestruck immediately with the professional mixing job of Will Harrison.
This speaks both to the musicianship and the unique and large set of recording skills. Either the group is so tight, that there is required very little work on the mixing and masters matters of the post-production stage. Then there is still the most probable possibility that Will is extremely good at two of the things he does and had met his match. I like to think that there is actually a perfect and equal match here, something I find to be is very uncommon, especially, when it comes to “local” bands and artists mainly due to the lack of time available to semi-professional performers and also the absence of monetary funds. Judging from some sample videos and having known Will for quite some time, I have no doubt that this rare synthesis has been achieved.
In Bonnie and Clyde, Harrison describes himself as “…busking on the corner of Jefferson and Main..." This is only the fourth track and I cannot count the times I have been brought back to my time spent in Lafayette. It isn’t just a shout out that brings me back; there are many elements here. In general, this duo has reignited my crush for the beauty of Lafayette. My personal story of the times I spent there jogged through my head at the mention all the imagery.Broke musicians hanging on a corner fantasizing about themselves as adventurous explorers. How could I not relate?
Bonnie and Clyde cling to each other cause nothing makes sense apart. Their being together. Fawn’s fiddling often reminds of Cajun country. I don’t know enough about Cajun music, violin, or fiddlin’ to pinpoint what it is that I hear similar but it is part of the enjoyment they bring me back to Lafayette in min. Will’s shaking voice tells us how much he is enjoying the song and time making it. The smile and lighter in his voice don’t hide. This is a quality I listen to Johnny Cash for, the sincere chuckle. The imagery in this song and also its interplay with the music is a delight (i.e. the harmonica blowing like a freight train). The scene of isolation at the end of Bonnie and Clyde is not an isolated incident.
When the banjo and harmonica leave Will and Fawn with their gifts before God to be burned by the Holy Fire of judgment; we see their yearning to stand alone in the presence of God. That above all the storytelling, the romantic melodies, and the fun times is the message in this album and the story behind it.
The Sea might possibly be my favorite with its incredible use of guitar effects creating an ambience not often heard in the acoustic scene. These sounds however know their place and the melodic banjo still stands out. This is an overall beautiful and catchy melody in my opinion. It seems that any body of water is the perfect symbol for reflection. This may be be described as a gentle, seamless fusion of some rock elements and the pure lullaby of folk. This is the only song that reminds me of what century I live in. And actually it doesn’t depress me. That’s powerful. Harrison’s banjo that waltzes (here and there) in and out of the path of the peaceful lyrics, carries an incredible semblance to an harmonizing human voice.
Evenly distributed vocal trade-offs toss us between the feminine and masculine leads on each song. The team seems to have an excellent understanding of when and how to be the supporting background vocals and included some pretty harmonies that often feel as natural as all of these arrangements. A couple that is attuned to their metronome and instinctual structuring, timing, progression can be the proper caretakers over the life of a song. The Onlies are young yet seemingly seasoned composers. I look forward more of the olde tyme sounds they have to share with us and anticipate the positive lyrical themes that will keep me from my usual.
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The Onlies on 88.7 KRVS
Live interview and performance on local radio station, KRVS out of Lafayette, Louisiana.
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Lafayette's Onlies vying for spot at Tennessee music fest
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Lafayette duo The Onlies have made an impression in Alexandria in recent months playing several gigs...Lafayette duo The Onlies have made an impression in Alexandria in recent months playing several gigs at local music spots.
Now the singer/songwriter/couple, Fawn Larson and Will Harrison, are vying for a spot at the Bonnaroo Music Festival this summer in Manchester, Tenn. At press time on Wednesday, The Onlies were ranked No. 24 of hundreds of bands from across the nation.
"If we got into the top 10, that would be thrill enough," Larson said. "But making it to the top two would be amazing. Voting just opened April 2, and we've been in the top 10 a couple of times. We were No. 7 once. We're still thinking we can do this if we get the word out enough."
Larson and Harrison met in August 2011, when they made plans to go to a singer/songwriter night together in Lafayette. They ended up at the park playing music with each other. They decided then their musical and personal visions aligned. At first The Onlies (we'll get to the name in a minute) played songs that each member wrote prior to their meeting. As the duo grew closer, their songwriting began to reflect the change.
The recently released a self-titled debut CD on iTunes. They have CDs available at shows.
"I find myself changing a little bit - growing or expanding more," Larson said. "Our styles are complementary, but they are different. Listening to the CD, you could probably tell which songs I wrote and which songs he wrote. My writing is more contemplative, mellow, but not necessarily melancholy. His style is more like 'let me come up with stories in my head and tell it through song.' It's funny because I can see every now and then that he'll write a song that little more contemplative, and I'll write one that's a little faster. But we're still staying true to ourselves."
Though it's just the two of the them, The Onlies are able to achieve a rich sound through their talent. Harrison plays banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass. Larson plays fiddle, ukulele, guitar and harmonica. They add a kick drum and high hat to their live shows to fill out the sound. And Larson is currently learning to play a piano accordion because, well, why not? Neither of The Onlies grew up in particularly musical families. Larson's dad gave her a harmonica when she was a kid, and he taught her to play it. Harrison learned to play to bass on his own. The rest of the instruments came naturally.
They did grow up as "onlies," however. Larson is an only child, and Harrison is the only son. They chose the name based partly on that and partly on the fact that tons of bands are making names out of "the" followed by a random word (The Shins, The Strokes).
"The Onlies" suits the band - in both sound and nature. It evokes a sort of lonesome feeling, and much of The Onlies' music, particularly songs written by Larson or featuring Larson on vocals, is haunting and nostalgic.
It's also reaching its audience. The band began playing around Alexandria a few months ago.
"We've gotten a great reception," Larson said. "Alexandria is a bit of a smaller town than Lafayette, and we first started playing here, I didn't know what to expect. Lafayette is a huge music town. I can honestly say that Alexandria is like a musical home to me. It just feels like home."
While Bonnaroo would be a dream come true, playing at home is fine for now.
"We're sort of taking it every day because there's so many uncertainties in this industry," Larson said. "Something could fall in our lap, or nothing might ever happen. You have to be content playing in your hometown."
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Onlies, Sleepers and Hitchhikers in Alexandria-Pineville this weekend
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Top-notch music will be performed in Alexandria and Pineville this weekend, and performers cover alm...Top-notch music will be performed in Alexandria and Pineville this weekend, and performers cover almost every region of Louisiana -- from Shreveport to Lafayette to New Orleans.
It starts Friday with The Onlies in Alexandria -- a duo that offers up exactly the opposite of what people think when they hear the term "college band."
Two bands are playing Saturday at Pitchers and Pints in Pineville, Irene and The Sleepers and SelfIllusion. The latter is a more straightforward rock 'n' roll band, while the former is rock 'n' roll with a few tricks up its sleeves.
Though all of these young musicians have been playing for a while, none of them have the experience of Josh Hyde and his band, The Hitchhikers. The blues rockers have played with some of the state's best musicians, and they've played some of the biggest venues.
If music stirs your soul, make your plans now.
The Onlies
Lafayette duo The Onlies will open a regional tour at 9 p.m. Friday at Finnegan's Wake in downtown Alexandria. The duo includes Alexandria native Will Harrison and Lafayette native Fawn Larson. The pair began playing music together nearly a year ago and made a strong showing in a short amount of time.
After Friday's show, The Onlies will head to Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia before getting back to Lafayette for a pair of shows at the renowned Blue Moon Saloon.
The Onlies' self-titled debut album is avalaible on iTunes and at cdbaby.com
What: The Onlies
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Finnegan's Wake, 812 Third St., downtown Alexandria
Listen: Song previews for album at www.facebook.com/TheOnliesBand
My pick: "Mourning Dove" can be found in its entirety on YouTube.
supersonic
