Fri 4/11 @ 9PM
The dynamic of Mates of State might remind some of Cleveland’s Mr. Gnome: a creative, self-contained duo featuring a married couple.
The music, however, is very different. Keyboardist/vocalist Kori Gardner and percussionist/vocalist Jason Hammel play energetic, mostly upbeat indie pop with quirky twists and turns. Their sound is also marked by the intertwining of their well-balanced voices in distinctive harmonies.
They’re also much more overt about their relationship than Mr. Gnome, and it’s central to their appeal, along with their good looks and their easy-to-like yet not simplistic music.
The now-Connecticut-based duo have been an item and bandmates since the late ’90s. They’ve release seven full-length albums including 2011’s Mountaintops, and starred in an upcoming indie film called Rumperbutts about a married couple in an indie rock duo. Talk about typecasting!
The group is bringing along a couple of extra musicians on for their acoustic piano/drums/ strings/ horns tour, which hits the Grog Shop this week. Akron folk/rock group Bethesda and oddball Cleveland duo Leah Lou & the 2 Left Shoes open.
Tickets are $12.