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The Fiery Furnaces
Riding this wistful cloud I drifted into the space where, in a few hours, the Fiery Furnaces would be performing. The Hiro Ballroom is a paper-lantern and banner festooned bar/nightclub that has a sort of quaint, “U.S. version of Japan” quality. A very appropriate setting for the Furnaces as many of their songs symbolically and musically evoke this sort of mixture of styles and cultures. Leaning on the bar and just sort of taking in the scene while the room filled up, I spied Matthew Friedberger (who along with his sister Eleanor comprise the Fiery Furnaces) leaning next to me sipping a beer. In keeping with the winsome nature of the evening I was moved to approach him and thank him for recording Widow City, a record that has brought me much joy as of late and is the most original American record in years. He said ‘You’re welcome’ and proceeded to engage me in a quick conversation about how much he likes Philadelphia and playing there. My brief interaction with him reminded me of an evening two years ago at the Mercury lounge where I had the pleasure of chatting with the late Grant McLennan of the Go-Betweens after a show. He possessed a quality that Matthew Friedberger shares. An effortless ability to put himself aside and just listen and be in the moment. Always refreshing when interacting with a critically lauded performer.
About an hour later the Fiery Furnaces took the stage. Performing before a backdrop adorned with their words, and augmented by a guitarist and drummer they launched into a loud, meaty version of ‘The Philadelphia Grand Jury’. What followed was a seamless, propulsive set mixing songs from Widow City and choice songs from Blueberry Boat, Bitter Tea, and Rehearsing My Choir. Eleanor’s elegant yet urgent stage presence commanded the room. After the sleek 45 minute set they returned for an encore asking for hand-written requests. Although the entire show was flawless the real highlights were a barn-storming ‘Right By Conquest’, and a loud and powerful ‘Single Again’. From my spot about 10 feet from them I felt like I was in an otherworldly place watching history being made. After the show I made my way down to the green room. As Matthew and Eleanor greeted friends and well-wishers I sat between two of Eleanor’s female chums from Illinois and chatted with them for an hour about my site, writing, and learned many reasons why I should visit Chicago someday. Looking at my watch I saw it was time to get my train and made my way to depart.
I walked down the street to the MTA stop and as the evening chill braced my face I still had that ethereal feeling. Things seemed to move in slow motion and the magic of the evening seemed to follow me all the way to Penn Station. On the train there was a chance meeting with someone who I never thought I would see again yet hoped I would someday see more than anything in the world. This seemed to keep with the spirit of this night. As the sun came up and I got home all I could think is how grateful I am that I do this and not that. Set List: Inca Rag (partial) The Fiery Furnaces return to the U.S. in December kicking off a brief tour in Philadelphia at the First Unitarian Church. You can get tickets here directly from R5 Productions Live Photos by Greg Trout |
Although I always feel elevated and buoyant when in Manhattan, it felt like there was something special in the air that evening. There was a fog drifting over the streets as I approached the Hiro Ballroom in Chelsea. The haze seemed to cause everyone to slow down and seem a little less urgent than usual. It was infectious.. 
Every time I meet or speak to a recording artist I ask them their favorite Kinks song. I am not sure how this started but it’s my own little nugget of self-satisfaction, a sort of personal intertwining of my own love of music in regards to the people who record it. I admit, its silly but in this case it turned interesting. When I first entered the backstage and I passed Eleanor and asked her she told me her favorite was ‘David Watts’. As I left on the way out and was already upstairs in the club Matthew stopped me to thank me for coming, and he would see me in Philadelphia. When asked he thought for almost a whole minute and then said…”David Watts”. Same answer, separate times. A testament to the synchronicity of the Friedbergers.