Kicking off this magical night was the Brooklyn-based indie/chamber/freak/jazz folk duo Beche, composed of woodwindist Betty Kean and guitarist/lyricist Vincent Randazzo, with an absolutely killer set. The crew filled the room with elation and glee, showcasing songs such as “Laymen” and “Quarter Life Crisis” to an enthusiastic crowd. Keen, Randazzo, and their equally talented backing musicians filled the room with a beautiful noise that captivated everyone. The music reminded me of the music that groups like Morphine were releasing in the mid-1990s, and Beche delivered the goods with folk music anyone can jam and dance to. Certainly, one group in the area I’m so excited to see more from. Their new EP, “Like Dancers,” was released on October 3rd, and you can check it out on Bandcamp today!

Sweetbreads, the musical project of Queens-based Melody Stolpp, was the second act of the night, tantalizing the audience with a mix of indie-pop melodies similar to Yo La Tengo and The Vaselines, and alt-country sounds like Uncle Tupelo and the Old ‘97s. This performance was to promote their new single, “Empty,” and she prefaced its performance by saying, “Fuck ICE,” prompting a collective cheer from the audience. Admittedly, I was unfamiliar with the song, but by the end, I was singing along to the melody, and almost everyone around me was, too. Other highlights of this set included “Punisher of Love” and the uplifting “Anvil”. Stolpp’s musicianship and voice was jaw-dropping. So if indie pop with a twang is your cup of tea, and you like musicians who hold community and and tunes in the same regard, look no further than Sweetbreads. Shout-out to all of the awesome musicians that played alongside her, including both Zoe Firn and Beche, who shared the stage with them towards the end of the set. Their new single, “Empty,” is now available for purchase on Bandcamp, and all proceeds from this purchase go directly to RAICES, an organization dedicated to ensuring equity and fairness by providing legal and support services for all immigrants. Sweetbreads is highly recommended listening for anyone. Be on the lookout for the new Punisher of Love LP coming soon!

The headliner of the night, Zoe Firn, is bringing back the sounds of ’90s indie with strong messages that hit harder than a Mack truck. Her witty, dry stage persona took center stage, as did the awesome tuneage she and her backing musicians provided. Promoting her brand new album, “Atomic Force“, her performance brought back the good old days of ’90s/early 2000s Sub Pop greatness and Liz Phair assertiveness; her ability to get a crowd excited is unparalleled in today’s era of live music. Exhorting the crowd to love life and music through nine ass kicking tracks of indie greatness, Firn played the album in its entirety. She had me moving throughout the new earworm “Cleveland” and thinking and getting introspective during “Dancing.” It’s fair to say that Zoe Firn has a tune for every mood. Insightful lyrics, excellent musicianship, and thoughtful collaboration make this performance one for the ages. With an exceptional showing from such a talented upstart in the Brooklyn music scene, Firn is one of my new favorite musicians, and I’m grateful to have discovered her music. She may change the face of indie forever. Her new album, “Atomic Force,” is now available on Bandcamp for streaming and purchase.