Thao is a steam rail companion. The Virginia native, along with The Get Down Stay Down, fathers guitar-centered pieces so even-metered and light as to be the musical rendering of a steam train and its heart: those rotating wheels that click and grind.
“Know Better Learn Faster” is determined, and above the sounds of a toy train chugging along, Thao’s voice rises with hope. Softly she siphons air out of her throat with each sung verse. “Chivalry” paints an image of countryside rail; haystacks tumble out of open train cars and a swiftly plucked banjo injects a flash of color, pink flowers dispersing a lull of green fields. Once again Thao’s voice rises up, now sweet with the promise of destination and rest.
If you’ve got Kerouac on the mind, Magellan in your blood, or just the yearnings of a simple ramblin’ man, come out to see Thao perform Wednesday, June 23rd at Middle East Downstairs. The show embarks at 8 PM.