July 9, 2021

Gig Review: Echo Children – Whammy Backroom – July 3 2021

Echo Children released their vinyl EP ‘Toxic Happiness’ on Saturday, with a psychedelic alt-country set at Whammy Backroom and upbeat indie-rock support by Cowboy Dan.

Whammy Backroom is one of those perfect spots for three or four musicians to capture a small crowd, making the combined sounds of both Echo Children and their opening act, Cowboy Dan, a perfect fit.

Snaking neon lights above the stage, a semi-dive-bar aesthetic filled and a happily merry atmosphere all gravitating people toward the centre of the room to dance to both band’s infectiously groovy sounds.

Cowboy Dan

Cowboy Dan took to the stage with heavy guitar feedback and dove immediately into Strangers Eyes, an upbeat melody with echoed, distorted vocals that could easily be the backing for any sepia-tinted recollection of last summer, bringing a physical and musical aesthetic that feels drenched in indie surf-punk.

The high, howling guitar finish leads into Kerouac, another sweet-sounding sunny song that captures a little bit of both The Libertines and The Kinks, while I’m Not Here could almost pass as an instrumental number with its long psychedelic guitar distortion.

Closing numbers All Night, Clique, and Ten Years all compounded on the energy of each other, beginning with the simple but irresistible drumbeat and London-punk swagger of All Night and building intensity and pace across dual guitars into Ten Years.

In a small space, any amount of energy and charisma go a long way, and Cowboy Dan was that perfect opening band; filled with positive energy and talent, and setting up a headline performance with a captivated crowd.

Echo Children

Echo Children are Amanda Larsson, Niamh O’Flynn, and Oliver Young, collectively exuding a vibe that they’ve been torn from Scott Pilgrim vs The World while creating exquisite, haunting melodies by layering Young’s guitar and vocals with consistent harmonies and spooky alt-country sounds.

Both Young and Larsson are charming and genuine when they speak, offering praise to Cowboy Dan while still oozing a dreamy dive-bar aesthetic, managing the transition well between acoustic numbers and the set’s varied tone.

This was seen early with Our Parents Fixed It All, showcasing the fading harmonic vocals above a softer, sombre sound, before Labour of Love moved into outstanding drums and an upbeat, country-swing tone. Soft moments across these numbers highlighted the strong songwriting of the group, seen again later in Flowerbeds.

Larsson and O’Flynn work wonderfully on bass and drums respectively, but their vocal harmonies are a persistent stand-out across their entire set, at times elevating the natural rhythms of a song and adding a slow-dance groove to their sound, while at others adding a deep layer of country-blues melancholy to Young’s powerfully restrained vocals.

This worked well in a set that moved from The Roots to The Kinks to Lera Lynn and The Chordettes and The Cramps, all tying together quite a captivating trio of musicians that provide the perfect soundtrack for long, warm summer nights and dark, secluded early mornings – groovy enough to make you want to dance, and just reserved enough to make them a delight to watch perform alone.

Unfortunately unable to grab a setlist at the end of the night, it’s an error I’ll be more than happy to correct by seeing this spooky psychedelic trio again as soon as possible.

Oxford Lamoureaux