One of the most underappreciated items on the list of why Kansas City music is so outstanding is its diversity of genres. Kansas City duo Victor & Penny is among those unique bands with their antique pop sound, which includes ukulele, guitar, and old-timey microphones.
Although Victor & Penny are on a lengthy tour all over the country, we were lucky to have them back in Kansas City at Nica’s 320 after a drive-in from a Chicago show. The duo of Jeff Freling and Erin McGrane shared their songs to a full audience, including the 101-year-old “Some Of These Days."
Although Victor & Penny are regular staples in this reviewer’s music collection, there’s nothing like a live show with these guys. After the lovely Danielle Ate The Sandwich made her hilarious mark on the stage, Victor & Penny appeared with the talented Rick Willoughby on bass to melt the ice cubes in the drinks of all audience members. McGrane’s quick wit and amazing antique pop fashion rounded out the duo’s humble command of the stage. And as a special treat for the Nica’s crowd, local musician Barclay Martin stood in on the trumpet sound – sans trumpet – and wowed us for a song.
Victor & Penny are on tour, currently heading through Arizona and will hit the rest of the east coast before returning to Kansas City. The duo’s next performance in KC is at Harry’s Country Club on Saturday, July 28 with Phantoms of the Opry.
Here’s a video they made called "Way Back Home":
–Hillary Watts
| Hillary wears a pocket protector during the day as a computer geek and a corset at night as Queen Bee of the freak pop band The Hillary Watts Riot. |