Molly Parden in Carrboro, 8/16/23

A strong storm swept through the Triangle on Tuesday afternoon. Heavy rain cascaded from the sky, while trees swayed in the strong winds like drunks stumbling to their cars from a bar. More than a few lost their footing, in fact, and took out power lines when falling. Thousands upon thousands in the region lost electricity, with quick fixes impossible. Sans a.c., a humid night was had by many—though, thankfully, not us.

Wednesday evening, singer-songwriter Molly Parden—to borrow a joke she made from the stage in the Cat’s Cradle Back Room in Carrboro, NC—brought the calm after the storm. Her sound possesses a surface serenity that sweeps like a gentle wave to shore. But there’s a taut undertow in the songs, too. That deeper current is strong, if not stronger, pulling you—or, at least, me—under time and again. When backed by her stellar band, she conjured both A Girl Called Eddy and Rumer circa Seasons of My Soul but with the pop sheen swapped for a folk feel. The arrangements are atmospheric as all get out, in other words. Mid-show, when she commanded the stage for a solo set, she reminded me to an extent of Shawn Colvin. There’s a mesmerizing quality about her when she sings; and when she speaks between songs, she possesses a Lizzy Caplan-like air.

One highlight came early: “Cigarette,” the first teaser track from her forthcoming album, which is slated for an autumn release. The recorded version is moody and minimalistic, the kind of song that encloses its groove around you like a cocoon. It obviously has to be more straightforward in a live setting, but the result is no less stirring.

I should mention that, going in, I didn’t know much about Parden or her music beyond a few listens to her recent string of singles, all of which I really like. The show was Diane’s pick; she spotted Parden’s name on the Cat’s Cradle website a while back and then listened to some of her songs, including her rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “Secret Garden.” “She sounds like someone you will like,” she promised me (or words to that effect).

It was, obviously, a promise kept. 

“Secret Garden” was not on this night’s setlist, however—but a wondrous rendition of the Gin Blossoms’ “Found Out About You” was. Keyboardist Deni (an artist in her own right) and bassist Josh Gilligan, who’s barely visible in my video, lend their vocals at the end of the song. guitarist Gusti Escalante and drummer Andrew Goldring round out the band. 

Incidentally, Goldring demonstrated his prowess on acoustic guitar when he kicked off the night with a short solo set. I think the songs would have worked better with a band, but that’s me. (Molly, who was in the audience, obviously disagreed; she cheered him.)

All in all, it was a great night; the only downside was when the young women in front of us, who had been sitting on the floor, stood towards the end of “Who Are We Kidding,” blocking both my sight and my recording. (The latter wasn’t that big of a deal, but the former forced me to move to the side of the room.) Friends who came with us were equally enthralled by Parden and band. So, for those on her northeastern itinerary—which includes one of our favorite venues from our Philly days, the Lounge at the World Cafe Live (or, as we knew it, the World Cafe Live Upstairs)—it’s a no-brainer. Go see her.  

The setlist, sans Molly’s solo songs, are below; Deni was kind enough to give it to me: