The Dalles Wrap Up Residency Tonight at The White Horse
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There is something addictive about seeing The Dalles perform. It was evident the first time I saw them live, and I also couldn’t stop raving about their unplugged “renegade performances” filmed by Reid Connell within the stately dome of the Capitol building. Recently, it was seeing a solo acoustic set by Dalles’ songwriter Ben Ballinger at The Blackheart on Rainey St. that reignited the flame.
With great verve and conviction, Ballinger belted out each song as if he were singing from the rooftops. It was easy to be swept away by his performance of “White House,” and many of us (including, I might add, Cory Reinisch of Guns of Navarone and songwriter Christy Hays) found ourselves singing along at the top of our lungs. Electrifying.
The Austin-based quartet, whose members each hail from different parts of the country but made the Live Music Capital their home, brazenly let their roots rock run wild, fueled by stellar vocal harmonies that fire up the blood. Ballinger and Blue Mongeon, the core songwriters of the group, deliver songs with provocative messages to titillate the ears and the mind, alongside drummer Drew Brunetti and bassist Chris D’Annunzio.
Again, I can’t emphasize enough the joy of seeing this band live. It’s that live energy that is the very essence of their appeal. Make time to see them tonight as they wrap up their residency at The White Horse, 500 Comal St. They’ll be sharing the bill with another favorite of mine, Austin-based rock trio Megafauna. And if you can get there early, see songwriters Carson McHone and Luke Bell do some sets starting at 7 p.m. Megafauna goes on at 10 p.m., followed by The Dalles at midnight. This makes Monday much better. Recommended.
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