Deceptively, smoothly, Michael Futreal has won a place in the top tier of Shreveport area bands. His trio, Twang Darkly, has played every possible quiet venue gig. And the grapevine has spoken with a smile. Twang is to be watched. To be listened to.
Twang Darkly music – there is a signature sound, a brand – is both easy listening and not easy listening. For this listener the comparison is to the classic Miles Davis on his “Kind of Blue” album. Both are modal. Both are smooth but distinctive. Americana might be Twang’s category, but the sound is jazzy, folky, even rocky.
“Twang Darkly is sultry and sweet, like dark chocolate,” says Katy Larsen. “They have you craving more and who wouldn’t, with an artist like Michael. He is deeply connected to the soul of music. He lets it guide him on these melodic journeys that we so luckily can share anytime we decide to tune in.”
Tuning in to Twang has become more convenient with the release of the DVD “Martian Archaeology.”
First impression: this music was superbly recorded. The bass is deep, the guitars full-bodied. And the advent of Lane Bayliss on drums has given the trio a step up. As a fan of Bayliss I can say that he has never been more musical. Nor will I will I leave out a shout to subtle, thoughtful, bassist-guitarist Joel Boultinghouse.
“Martian Archaeology is a suite of original instrumental music and films inspired by stories about Mars,” says Futreal. “In a series of shows sponsored by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, we performed this music live. We projected these films behind us. We’re pleased to now share our studio recordings set to the final versions of the films.”
Witty – imagine the craggy jazz radical Sun Ra in animation, stepping it with an Egyptian statue – and of high production value, the films mix calligraphy, maps, bizarre landscapes, and archaic statuary with animated symbols.
Yet it is the music and the clarity of the recording that propel the Martian journey. To me it is like sitting in a studio surrounded by the musicians.
“It’s sinuous music – evocative of something I can’t quite put my finger on but it just gets. into. my. brain,” says Judy Williams.
Highly recommended. Get it at the Agora Borealis, Rick’s Records, or twangdarkly.com. $10. Next show: March 5, 7pm, Rhino Coffee.
Photo by Robert E. Trudeau.