Live Music Review: Parker Woodland Played Sold-Out Album Release Party at Mohawk last week

Founded five years ago, smack-dab in the middle of the pandemic, Parker Woodland – the little band that could – quickly evolved into its current iteration: a power trio of seasoned musicians with music that is both edgy and inspiring. Last week saw the release of their first LP, There’s No Such Thing As Time, riding a wave of press and promotional events. The album was produced by Brent Baldwin. It was recorded and mixed by Matt Parmenter at Ice Cream Factory Studio. Front-woman and founder Erin Walter (vocals/bass), Andrew Solin (guitar), and Keri Cinquina (drums) took to The Mohawk indoor stage on the evening of Friday, September 6 to celebrate the album’s release at a sold-out show.

Before they started playing, the band actually stood to the side while their intense music video for “Never Met a Stranger” played on a giant screen, its driving rhythm and psychedelic visuals sufficiently amping up the crowd. When Parker Woodland finally picked up their instruments,  the audience was treated to an hour-long high energy performance that combined elements of punk, psych-rock and good old-fashioned, ass-kicking rock n’ roll.

Kicking off with a juiced up version of Daniel Johnston’s “True Love Will Find You in the End” and a not-yet-released song called “Show,” they quickly moved into the infectious songs featured on their new album. “Ladder at Your Window.” Tracks “Jets,” and “Last Song on Earth” are a testament to the power of a good pop hook to get a song stuck in your head.

Parker Woodland’s sound hearkens back to the glory days of early 80’s post-punk with Waters’ voice leading the charge, shifting easily between airy sweetness to a take-no-prisoners bad bitch wail that you feel in your guts. Cinquina’s drums are straightforward with the cool confidence of someone who has been in front of an audience for more than a decade (which indeed, she has, as part of the genderqueer hair metal band Butch County). Solin’s experienced guitar elevates the band’s sound to something substantially more sophisticated than your average garage band, without betraying the cultural spirit of a grungy three-piece.

The audience was all ages, and it was delightful to see people from every age generation embracing the music, dancing and singing along together. Walter jumped into the audience at one point, her robin’s egg blue bass swinging around, hair flying in all directions, inviting the audience to join her in wild abandon. For the final song, “The World’s on Fire (and We Still Fall in Love)”, the band invited audience members up on stage to dance with them. It was an engaging performance on every level.

Perhaps the best thing about Parker Woodland – whether live or recorded – is the commitment to social justice that underpins their music. These aren’t just catchy songs, they’re anthems of resistance and resilience. Whether addressing climate change or trans rights, Parker Woodland writes songs that speak to the hearts of people who are struggling on the margins of society, lifts them up, empowers them and gives them a chance to dance it out.

Parker Woodland’s new album, There’s No Such Thing as Time is available now in digital, CD and vinyl format. Find the band online at parkerwoodland.com. Catch the band next at their End of An Ear records in-store this Sunday. RSVP here. Parker Woodland will also appear on stage with A Giant Dog September 28 at Radio East. 

Setlist – September 6, 2024

• True Love Will Find You in the End [Daniel Johnston cover]
• Show [unreleased]
• Ladder at Your Window
• Jets
• Last Song on Earth
• Police on My Back  [The Clash cover]
• Make Up
• Reckoning
• Stranger 
• Just in Case
• The World’s on Fire (and We Still Fall in Love)Featured photo courtesy of Parker Woodland. All other photos by Amanda Quraishi

Please follow and like us: