by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki
It was all about the harmony when southern-born, Brooklyn-based band “The Lone Bellow “rocked the halls of the Renaissance Dupont Circle Hotel last week. The band has been described as indie rock, a touch of country, hipster chic and many different ways as they have traveled around the country with appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with David Letterman, Conan, CBS This Morning and sold out tour stops in every corner of the nation. Even the band itself doesn’t know how to pin down their unique sound that blends powerful instrumentals, precise harmonies and songs of all tempos to make any listener a fan.
Brian Elmquist, Zach Williams, Kanene Pipkin
The special one night private performance in DC was the latest installment of The Navigator Live series hosted by Renaissance through its partnership with AEG and Billboard–an effort to invite guests to to explore different cities through the eyes of touring musicians – the ultimate modern business traveler.
The event shook the hotel off it’s foundation as hundreds of guests discovered and celebrated the band while sipping on different cocktails, munching on passed bites and embracing the music as a way of bringing people together.
“I’m very grateful to be able to sing for a living” said band member Zach Williams. Looking back on their roots in Brooklyn and how they would fit in performing between other jobs, the band humbly acknowledges that it is special to do what you are passionate about as a job. “I used to just sing in my car or my shower,” added Williams, emphasizing that the music he and his band mates make tells stories and he hopes those messages speak to the audience.
Since being signed by their label and being able to pursue music full time, band member Kanene Pipkin says that it has been on the road touring non-stop trying to build their fan base. Their latest album, Then Came the Morning, is bold and subtle and will treat audiences as they listen. The band unanimously feels that you can hear their connection to one another and that this album was less rushed than previous because they have all left behind the days of waiting tables in Brooklyn to take on music full time. And we’re glad they did.
Listen to the band mates talk about their song and style and what it’s like to make their music:
