Amid the deluge of dark and stormy nights that have been sounding off this month, and Champaign, Illinois’ Headlights came out to play at The Sunset Tavern on November 8th. For those still adjusting to Daylight Savings, it was high time to get a dose of something sunny and cozy to help get through the darkness of the coming winter months.

Cincinnati, Ohio’s Pomegranates got the audience warmed up with their quiet-on-purpose vocals and cascading dreamy guitar licks. Drawing influence from The Talking Heads and Fela Kuti, they delivered a dynamic performance. Last April, they released their sophomore album, Everybody, Come Outside!, from Lujo Records, and I can’t wait to hear more from this band.

Anni Rossi drew the audience closer with nothing but an amplified viola, her full-bodied voice, and Devin Maxwell on drums. “West Coast” emulated the feeling of driving down the open interstate when Rossi switched off between plucking the strings and energetic strumming, thus mimicking the wax and wane of anticipation and boredom of the open road. A real crowd pleaser was Rossi’s rendition of Ace of Base’s “Living in Danger,” which had me rethink disavowing the Swedish pop-sensation as thoughtful songwriters. Now, if only I could find my cassette of The Sign.

On “Las Vegas” the classically trained musician played her viola like a guitar, her bow dangling from her index finger like a pendulum. At the chorus, Rossi stomped time with her right foot, and cooly spoke-sang the lyrics, and I truly appreciated the minimalism of her stomp, pluck, and voice.

After a short break, Headlights set up their gear, did a sound check, and eased into the set with “So Much for the Afternoon,” but then they kicked it up a notch with the dreamy and driving “Cherry Tulips” — because when it breaks, it breaks big with Headlights, and the audience was breaking their stance and even rocking out a little bit.

Manning the controls and driving the melody with the keyboard, Erin Fein energetically rocked out at her Casio and belted her honey glazed pipes into the microphone. When guitarist Tristan Wraight added his vocals to the mix, their harmonies danced around each other’s like Fred and Ginger. Brett Sanderson’s drumming, Wraight’s guitar riffs, and Nick Sanborn’s bass lines — although not technically impressive or complex — seem to have emerged from a distant planet of indie rock goodness.

The new songs really only peppered the set, and I would have liked to have heard more from Wildlife, especially to hear Wraight take the lead vocals on the upbeat — yet upon further examination, disturbing — single “Get Going.” However, their lack was understandable given the album’s mellow tenor. “Telephones” was enchanting, and “Dead Ends,” haunting, but the real moving and shaking happened when they broke out with “TV” from their debut, Kill Them with Kindness.

Headlights’ performance at The Sunset early this month was a step in the right direction from their May show at The Nectar Lounge, and it’s exciting to see our Midwest friends keep at it and evolve, and keep coming out West with such energetic and solid performances.

Anni Rossi:

Headlights:

photo by Justine Bursoni

Headlining the Sunset Tavern in Ballard this Sunday, with Anni Rossi, and Pomegranates, Headlights, quite possibly one of the most underrated bands of recent times, are back to woo Seattle once again. The Champaign, Illinois, trio have been making consistently solid and genuine indie pop albums since their debut in 2005. Headlining at the Nectar Lounge this past April brought only a thin crowd, but just a month later in May, they opened for Loney, Dear at The Crocodile and dazzled with the witty dynamic of a group of hard-working old friends who have been touring nonstop, and having a great time doing it.

Out of a farmhouse in the Midwest, the original trio of Erin Fein, on keyboard, Tristan Wraight, on guitars, and Brett Sanderson on drums recorded the Enemies EP, and two LPs. Now with bassist Nick Sanborn, Headlights have just released their third full-length, Wildlife on Polyvinyl Records on October 6 this year.

Fein and Wraight’s vocals are soft and inviting like fresh-baked cookies, and with their beautifully intertwining vocals, they deliver poignant and personal lyrics over deceitfully upbeat melodies. “Cherry Tulips” is hosed in off-putting “Pleasantville” perfection and brings to mind a soft-focus dream that takes place during a 1960s backyard tiki party, and “TV”‘ takes the reigns with a simple guitar riff and drives you away building into an anthemic ride about distrust in the media.

Discovery is right around the corner, and for only $10 it’s not a bad way to spend a rainy Sunday. Show begins at 9pm at The Sunset Tavern located at 5433 Ballard Avenue NW.