1… 2… 3… 4… I count mountains.
The room was buzzing on Wednesday night upon the entrance of the New York-based Water From Your Eyes. Lit by dim blue lighting and heads bobbing from left to right, this was a momentous occasion for one of the final weeks of our semester.
Water From Your Eyes was formed by Rachel Brown (vocalist) and Nate Amos (multi-instrumentalist), first gaining traction from their 2019 record “Somebody Else’s Song.” Beginning in Chicago, the two took their project to Brooklyn, New York, and have since found their place in the scene. To sum up their music is a hard feat as they range from being a hardcore, electronic, bedroom-pop and shoegaze act. Though there is no need to define them.
The opening act
Ahead of their set, Dutch Interior opened the evening, creating a dreamy soundscape of an alt-country and grunge-like wall of sound. With a contemporary Americana twang and three-part harmonies, Dutch Interior’s musical influence comes from a wide spectrum. In likeness of Midwest emo bands and country twang heartthrobs, their live set blew me away with each drum beat and bass line.
Curating a space for Water From Your Eyes to enter, the band played through old hits and new releases, including “I’ll Be Damned” and “Fourth Street.” Each member had the opportunity at the mic, and even a harmonica had an entrance or two.
Kilby Block Party 2023 was the last time Water From Your Eyes was in the Beehive State. “Kilby Block Party is the best festival we’ve ever played,” Brown said. They continued to say that they were happy there were no drunk teenagers at the show, which they would know because they’re a “retired drunk teenager.” This witty, between-set banter included other personal affirmations and secrets shared with the crowd.
There was indeed water from my eyes
Walking in with their sunglasses on, shaded by the light, Brown had set the stage for the performance to follow. Rocking back and forth with the music and bobbing their head up and down, Brown was into the music from the get-go. Though they did mention they’re an “anxious person,” It was hard to believe from an audience standpoint. The band took up the space on stage and made the room feel more open. As each song played through, the bass lines kept hitting deeper and the band grew more comfortable with the crowd.
Following their recent release “It’s A Beautiful Place,” they played through the record, as well as past hits like “Out There” and “Buy My Product.” As a newer fan, having discovered them in 2023, I was excited to hear the songs that made me fall in love, live. One cannot describe the satisfaction in words. It can only be done in silent screams and random hand figurines.
As they walked back on stage for the finale, they announced they would be breaking out into dance. At first, the audience was met by a reverb of guitar swells, but it soon turned to a machine of eclectic dance music. The song came to an end after a six-minute rager in the small garage, and Brown proclaimed, “I party-rocked too hard.”
It was a mix of joy and sadness to see the lights come up and the Kilby Court playlist begin to play again.
Though my hearing may be gone, my love for the band has only grown. You can find out more about Water From Your Eyes here. Check out the album wherever you get your music.