REVIEW: Hand Habits Make a Triumphant Return to Albany

Sep 29

09/23 @ Lark Hall, Albany

“The vibes in the room were flush with memories and warmth, with a crowd full of faces familiar to anyone who’s engrained themselves in the 518 music scene, eagerly awaiting the homecoming of one of the Capital Region’s own…”

When you go to a lot of concerts, as many of you reading this do, you get used to certain vibes at shows featuring a national recording artist coming through town. There’s always great anticipation and excitement, discussions about setlists, chats about when the best time to hit the merch table will be. There might even be time to order some drinks.

Last Tuesday night’s show at Lark Hall had all of that as the crowd gathered before showtime, but it also had something else that was unique: it sort of felt like a reunion. The vibes in the room were flush with memories and warmth, with a crowd full of faces familiar to anyone who’s engrained themselves in the 518 music scene, eagerly awaiting the homecoming of the Capital Region’s own Meg Duffy and the latest incarnation of their band, Hand Habits.

Joining them was Fashion Club, the recording project of LA-based artist Pascal Stevenson. Her music career has spanned work with several bands such as Moaning, Girlpool, Sasami, and Cherry Glazerr, but Fashion Club has been labelled as more of an experimental pop project. As she emerged onstage along with some low lighting that included a single lamp and some floor bulbs, the stage was set for a very ambient performance. As she launched into her set, the music was dreamy with electric guitar absolutely drenched in effects that made the tunes feel nothing short of interstellar, with drum loops also incorporated to add layers that brought a distinctly synth-pop element into the equation. Her vocals were soft yet soulful, with powerful angst also coming into play to yield an almost spiritual experience. The songs had a way of just seamlessly seeping into each other, washing over the captivated audience and making it feel like the set was one long piece akin to an ambient symphony. More than just a performance, this was a master class in crafting a soundscape.

After such an immersive sonic bath, the crowd was more than warmed up for the main event. Starting things off with “More Today”, the first track off their recent album Blue Reminder, Hand Habits immediately set the tone with some soft indie rock that got everyone in the room feeling sentimental about being able to embrace one of their own. The feeling of pride in the room touched every corner of the space, and Duffy’s rapport with the crowd of friendly faces made for a warm reception. “It’s good to be home,” they mused, but continued: “It’s hard to act like some cool guy when everyone I know is in the room.” It would not matter. This set was a full circle moment for Duffy, and it permeated Hand Habits’ performance which was flush with emotional depth conveyed by their vocals that were, at times, bursting with feeling. Keys, guitar, bass and drums were all tight with not a single note out of place and the vocal harmonies were transcendent, effortlessly elevating the mood of the music when needed. It was a night full of local shout outs that included a song dedicated to the rest of the Duffy family (lovingly of course, as Meg joked that they were on their best behavior).

Hand Habits’ return to the Capital District was more than just a cathartic bout of indie rock ambience. It was a celebration of the ability of this scene to elevate its own and to show up for its community’s successes. It was a union of the relationship between our underdog scene and one of those who took the leap to continue growing in a bigger pond, and a celebration of that decision paying off. With all of the names and faces who came out to support a rising star that was birthed right outside the doors of this very venue, it was a night to be reminded of the depth of that community and the fact that it could punch above its weight and stand up alongside any of the biggest music scenes in the country.