The stage looked like a small music store at Mercy Lounge Wednesday night, every square inch lined with cellos, violins, guitar amps, drums, xylophones and tubas. With an inch of elbowroom to spare, Kopecky Family Band took the stage to an eager crowd of heat-seeking Nashvillains; although the weather was bitter cold, the vibes were warm enough. Kopecky has garnered a lot of notable accolades over the past few years, including spotlights at SXSW and their critically acclaimed album “The Disaster.” The ambition in their sprawling compositions justifies the praise; the band members don’t look much older than their mid-twenties and are producing music most wouldn’t even attempt. It’s difficult to find the balance between harmony, discord, surrealism and authenticity, but Kopecky made it a cakewalk.
During the show, there was a lack of attention from the audience. When you write songs that feature long sections of droney strings, bass, and guitar with little to no percussion, it comes with a territory. While their music is brilliant on record, the songs that contain more upbeat rhythms and lyrics are the ones that translate better live. One great example is “God & Me,” highlighting intense fist-pumping rhythms and amazing vocal performances from lead singers Gabe and Kelsey. Their display of songwriting and musicianship was impressive, but it appears those merits don’t carry the weight of their audience’s attention in concert. – Marc Chirico