Meet: Midnight Masses
October 20, 2009
Revolution Live, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Written by Kate Dingle
Let’s be honest for a minute. Traditionally, the very first act that goes on in a lineup of three or more is never very good. That’s just the way it is. It’s nothing against the group. I’m sure they work just as hard (if not harder) than the headliner and their lives are most certainly not as glamorous. Most of the time, they haven’t released a full length album, and the band members take turns being the “merch” person.
Now, it’s been a long time since ANY act has given me goosebumps. A long time since ANY act has stolen my attention in a way that made me feel grateful that I was robbed. Enter Midnight Masses. This quintet out of Brooklyn gave me that warm and fuzzy feeling that I crave when I go to a live show. I couldn’t really put my finger on what it was, and after speaking with other folks who attended, they couldn’t either. There was something so hypnotic about this five-some that made it hard to focus on anything other than what was going on on stage.
Their music was a complex and layered blend of Jefferson Starship meets Bob Dylan, with undertones of the Silversun Pickups. Throughout their thirty minute set, front man Autry Fulbright was pitch perfect. He didn’t miss a beat or drop a note. When he stepped away from the mic to beat away on his own drum, it felt as though he and drummer Miyuki Furtado merged together to become one. I have never seen two musicians so in sync with one another. I highly doubt that any duo so “together” could hold a candle to these two when they were “in the moment”. Joining Fulbright and Furtado were Jason Reece, Eric Rodgers, and Destiny Montague. I could not imagine any other musician taking the place of someone in their current lineup. The mojo just wouldn’t be there. There was something about the five of them together that made for a semi-psychedelic, Woodstock like mood that could not be duplicated.
Their performance at Revolution Live last Tuesday was eye opening. Everybody in the room was watching five artists who had each perfected their craft in their own individual way, and when they joined forces, it was truly something spectacular. Everyone should definitely “meet” Midnight Masses and hang out with them in your cars, houses, bathrooms, and offices. I promise, as soon as you get to know them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
You can check out their music at: http://www.myspace.com/midnightmassesandtheendofdays
Photos by Christina Mendenhall
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