For the professional Cat Cab on Feb. 14, Linfield hosted Tall Heights, a two- man string band from Bos- ton, and love was definitely in the air.
Taking place in the newly renovated Fred Meyer Lounge, the show featured Tim Harrington and Paul Wright, songwriters who find inspiration from their everyday lives, as well as from other popular artists.
“We really like Laura Marling, Gregory Alan Isakov and Bon Iver, obviously,” said Wright, drawing reference to their softly lyrical cover of “Skinny Love.”
Tall Heights started three years ago when Wright began seriously talking with a high school friend’s younger brother about putting a band together.
“Before then, I had never seen music as a viable path,” Wright said of the increasingly competitive music industry.
Fast-forward three years, and Tall Heights has toured New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee and Texas, among other states, and was finishing a 10-day tour here at Linfield.
“We love playing college campuses,” Wright said. “It’s refreshing after playing for larger audiences, and it’s nice to reach out to younger audiences who can’t come see us at venues where they serve alcohol.”
With two albums already on iTunes, their third “Man of Stone” drops May 14, featuring their new music “Eastern Standard Time” and “Field of Snow.” Previous hits include “I Don’t Know,” “To Be Young” and “Rafters” off their album of the same name.
Their success is warranted: the folk-pop band’s flowing harmonies and beautiful lyrics ensure a bright future.
Cat Cab first-timer and sophomore Rhianna Bennett came to the concert Thursday after hearing a 15-second audio clip of the band.
“I love that style of music and hearing two attractive men perform was fun way to end the day,” Bennett said. “I didn’t have a date for Valentine’s Day so this seemed like a good option.”
In the holiday spirit of love and affection, a drawing determined which lucky audience member would get the chance to come onstage and be serenaded by the band. Sandwiched between two beautiful-voiced men, freshman Camille Weber saw her V-Day improve when her name was drawn.
“I did enter myself for the contest, but I didn’t really think I had a chance of winning. I just thought it wouldn’t hurt to try,” Weber said. “To be serenaded by such talented musicians was really the icing on the cake that truly made it a special Valentine’s Day.”
Cat Cabs take place at 9 p.m. every Thursday in the Fred Meyer Lounge. Updates on the performers can be found on the Linfield Activities Board Facebook page.
Olivia Marovich
Staff writer
Olivia Marovich can be reached at [email protected].
Photo by Joel Ray/Senior photographer
