Last week, I attended another wonderful taping of an Extended Play Session at Alternate Root TV. This night, Red Molly gave us an intimate look into their music and process.

Red Molly

I knew of Red Molly but had never heard them, and was excited to hear their brand of American roots music.

From the moment they took the stage, they had the audience enthralled. Appearing quite relaxed as they started singing, they drew us into their aura with ease.

Red Molly

Their music could be described as folk, but to this writer as well as others, their style is more country than folk. It is likely I feel this way because one of the three instruments they use is the dobro which (to me) evokes more of a country or bluegrass feel than a folk feel. Regardless of what you want to call it, it is easy to listen to their music.

Abbie’s Dobro

Molly Venter on guitar, Laurie MacAllister on bass, and Abbie Gardner on dobro comprise Red Molly. All contribute vocals.

Abbie Gardner

Laurie MacAllister

Molly Venter

The band takes their name from the Richard Thompson song, ‘1952 Vincent Black Lightning’, which they cover on their recent release ‘The Red Album’. They sang it for us that evening; I have seen Thompson perform it at least once, and I always enjoy it. Red Molly’s version was no exception.

Red Molly

They sang ‘Fever’ on which Molly sang lead vocal; she channeled Peggy Lee so well it gave me chills. I have a feeling it did the same to other listeners.

Molly singing ‘Fever’

Although Red Molly has been around for ten years, this configuration began four years ago. Their chemistry is so strong that it feels as if they’ve been together much longer than that. One person asked if they realized their dresses were coordinated (Laurie’s floral-print dress had the same colors as Abbie’s and Molly’s solid-color dresses); they told us that it was a coincidence, but I think it shows how attuned to one another they are.

Molly

Laurie

Abbie

I look forward to hearing more from Red Molly. They said they are part of another group with the husbands of two of the women called Conjugal Visit; that’s a fabulous name and I will watch for them to perform at a venue near me.

Red Molly

This was an evening of exceptional music at a venue that has quickly become one of my favorites.