REVIEW: Olive Klug Brings Vocal Brilliance to Caffè Lena
04/04 @ Caffè Lena, Saratoga
Photos by Tom Miller
“…one of those rare moments when I felt like I had witnessed something truly special.”
Sometimes, I leave a show feeling like I’ve just witnessed something special. That’s exactly how I felt as I left Caffè Lena this past Saturday. Olive Klug’s brilliant vocals filling the intimate listening room made for an evening I will never forget.
Olive Klug is an American folk singer-songwriter whose musical journey began in the Pacific Northwest, carried them through Los Angeles and Nashville, and eventually brought them to western Massachusetts. Their songwriting touches on a wide range of subjects, including personal experiences, political and social perspectives, and the small details of everyday life. What makes Klug especially unique, though, is what happens between the songs. Their banter reveals a vulnerable side, adding to the authenticity of each performance and making the entire experience feel even more genuine.
There was no doubt that Klug was a perfect fit for the intimacy of Caffè Lena. The capacity crowd was enthusiastic, attentive, and appreciative. They hung on every lyric Klug sang and were fully engaged by the stories shared between songs.
The setlist leaned heavily on Klug’s current album, Lost Dog. Those songs included “Train of Thought,” “Taking Punches From the Breeze,” “What to Make of Me,” “Cold War,” “One Dimension,” and “Fleeting.” Klug also performed a few songs from their 2023 album, Don’t You Dare Make Me Jaded, including “Ghost of Avalon” and “Casting Spells.” As if that weren’t enough, the audience was even treated to a pair of new songs, “Honeysuckle” and “Liminal Space,” along with two classic covers, “Cactus Tree” by Joni Mitchell and “I Don’t Want Your Millions, Mister” by Jim Garland.
As with most folk music, the lyrics, messages, and delivery were the focal points, and Klug was consistently on point. The songs came from a uniquely personal place, yet remained universal enough to resonate with just about anyone. Their vocals were powerful and confident while still carrying a sense of passion and care. And, of course, the banter and storytelling emphasized the closeness of the evening.
Overall, this is an evening I will not soon forget. It was one of those rare moments when I felt like I had witnessed something truly special. I have no doubt that Olive Klug will soon be filling venues far bigger than Caffè Lena, and I feel fortunate to have experienced them in such an intimate setting.