5j Barrow

I stumbled on to this band through one of the lead singers: Jason Hite. He was in the off Broadway show Bare that I saw a year ago in January. In his Playbill bio was information on the band he played with 5J Barrow. I went to a site (which one I’m not sure any more) and listened to some of the music. I really liked it. They had an EP called 5j Barrow. I downloaded it.

I really liked it. I then found them on Facebook.

I found out, too late it turns out, they had a Kickstart campaign for their first album and tour. Got the first full album. Then noticed that they would be in DC for part of their first tour. Thankfully was able to see them (see story below for reason I missed the first part of their show).

A little on the band:
Any Broadway fan (singers Eryn Murman and Jason Hite performed in Spring Awakening and Bare) should check out 5J Barrow for their fill of drama-tinged folk music. The band was selected as Best Manhattan Artist at WNYC’s latest Battle of the Boroughs. Taking their everyday experiences as evidence of the magic we overlook too often in NYC, first single ‘Talking My Soul’ discusses streets named after wheeping trees, and why it’s better to discuss your life while at sea... not to mention a fiddle freakout halfway through that could raise the dead.

Great interview here.

Here’s a little more about the band.



On their new album:

Brooklyn-based sextet 5j Barrow hits the ground running with “Talking My Soul,” the first track on the just-released From the Dim, Sweet Light. It’s clear from the outset that lead vocalists Eryn Murman and Jason Hite have a synergistic musical relationship that is only heightened by the collaboration with Eric Namaky (keys), Michael Hunter (violin), Ian Hunt (percussion) and Harden Frank (bass).

5j Barrow celebrates the dramatic, dynamic and collaborative nature of storytelling with the release of From the Dim, Sweet Light. From top to bottom, the players provide a wide and diverse range of skills and instrumentation that not only makes this album appealing to musicians, but accessible to fans. It’s a rollicking, energetic glimpse into a collective of performers that click when they play together, enhancing each others’ strengths in a way that’s exciting to listen to. There can be little doubt they would put on a hell of a live show, and I’d be surprised if this band didn’t pick up even more buzz with the release of this album. Take a listen, you’ll be glad you did.

Finally here's a video of one of their songs. They really are a great group so enjoy.