A band to know: Lucius

Photo by Shervin Lainez, courtesy of Lucius.

Cleveland’s Beachland Tavern was host to a sold-out show Oct. 10 for rock ‘n roll artist JD McPherson. Before the show, only muffled conversation filled the bar. The opening act, however, helped to liven things up.

A five piece indie-act, Lucius came on to a symmetrically set stage dressed in matching outfits.

The two singers, Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, both stood behind keyboards, mirroring each other center stage. They were joined by drummer Dan Molad, guitarist Peter Lalish and guitarist/percussionist Andrew Burri — each standing, adorned in matching button-downs, bow ties and mustaches.

Wolfe explained that she and Laessig were like doppelgängers, “so it was a natural sort of evolution to have the visual aspect of our art reflect that same synergy.”

She added that the visual side made the show that much more fun.

The energy the group brought to the stage added to the fun. Lucius, however, had all the excitement and movement one hopes for. Wolfe and Laessig sang in a powerful yet lovely harmony and the drumming was certainly something to watch.

Cleveland was stop number one for the Brooklyn-based band’s first ever tour together. Cleveland is also Laessig’s hometown. Wolfe and Laessig expressed how great of an opportunity it was to open for an act like JD McPherson, giving them a chance to play to a different type of audience.

Lucius toured with Milo Greene through October and is currently touring with Pearl & The Beard and You Won't. The girls had one word to describe life on tour: smelly.

The group has a self-titled EP available on iTunes.

For fans of: The Sounds, Metric, Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Download: Genevieve