Caroline Smith & The Good Night Sleeps Off Broadway September 22, 2011
"Hey again, we're back!" was Caroline Smith's greeting to the small cluster of folks at Off Broadway last night. Caroline Smith & The Good Night Sleeps last played the venue in January, but the Minneapolis-based band returned this time around with a new album, Little Wind. The group played its irresistibly catchy indie-pop tunes -- seriously, if the choruses of "Closing the Doors" and "Lack of Height" from Backyard Tent Set and "Tank Top" from Little Wind don't manage to get stuck in your head, than you have incredibly strong will power -- from both albums to loyal fans. The band even recognized a few people from the last show based on their dance moves.
Though the evening began with a cancellation by the Daredevil Christopher Wright, locals Scarlet Tanager took to the stage at their scheduled time without a hitch. Scarlet Tanager is what you'd imagine spring sounds like, with lead singer Susan Logsdon's voice channeling her inner Jenny Lewis. It was a great segue into the night's main act.
And that comfortable familiarity between Caroline Smith & co. and its St. Louis fans wasn't limited to playing music. "We're kind of looking for a place to stay tonight," said Smith towards the end of their set. With the way the crowd pleaded for an encore (which Smith obliged with a solo performance of "She Ain't Got It"), we're sure they found one.
