The Vespers promote new album ‘The Fourth Wall’ at New Brookland Tavern tonight
Two sisters and two brothers making music and touring together sounds like the plot of a movie, but it’s all in a day’s work for The Vespers.
The folk-pop group, which hails from Nashville and is currently touring in support of its new album “The Fourth Wall,” will bring its tunes to New Brookland Tavern tonight.
The band consists of sisters Callie and Phoebe Cryar, who alternate singing lead vocals, and brothers Bruno and Taylor Jones, who also play a variety of instruments.
Frontwoman Callie Cryar spoke with The Daily Gamecock about the band’s family dynamic and what to expect at tonight’s show.
While growing up together has solidified the band members’ relationships, Cryar said touring with family isn’t always fun and games.
“The main challenges are that you’re really comfortable with your family and you have to remember to be sensitive to each other and remember that you have to treat each other nicely even if you’re used to saying whatever you want,” Cryar said. “The last thing you want to do is be professional around your family.”
But the level of familiarity and comfort has benefits, too.
“It makes for good musical chemistry,” Cryar said.
Cryar described the group’s sound as a blend of many genres.
“I would say it’s just a soulful, Americana, bluesy folk pop,” she said.
Each band member plays multiple instruments, from guitar and banjo to mandolin and percussion.
“We all just kind of pass them around,” Cryar said.
The band may not play gospel music, but the group’s name has religious connotations, as the word “vespers” means “evening prayer” or “evening song.”
“My sister and I just thought it was a cool-sounding word and it kind of made sense,” Cryar said. “A concert is kind of like evening song.”
The Vespers draw inspiration from a variety of artists, both new and old. Cryar said the group’s favorite bands change from week to week.
“We’re always enjoying whatever’s fresh and out there,” Cryar said. “We like to absorb music.”
Because the group consists of family, The Vespers has a unique stage presence, especially between songs.
“Sometimes we just go off on rabbit trails and pick on each other because we’re all related,” Cryar said.
“Everybody has a microphone and because we’re switching instruments all the time, there are pauses between songs,” she said, noting that the banter between siblings is one of the best parts of the group’s live show.
Cryar said fans can expect to hear songs off the new album as well as a few surprises.
“We do play a few covers and I would definitely say we’re all pretty energetic during our performance,” she said.
Cryar’s favorite song to perform is “Grinnin’ In Your Face” off “The Fourth Wall.”
“I get to sing it and I can kind of do whatever I want with it and go crazy with it,” she said. “It’s kind of my guilty pleasure song.”
The Vespers will be joined by Ned Durrett and the Kindly Gents and Grayson Venters. Tickets are $5 for patrons over 21 and $8 for those under 21. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.