Casually seductive melodies and hints of old rock influences

By Erin Goss | SDUN Reporter

There’s something to be said about getting older—it brings perspective.

And it’s perspective that created local band The Darrows from its former incarnation—Emery Byrd.

The new group’s debut album, “Parlour Music,” boasts the benefits of life experience, reflecting upon the band’s initial foray into the music industry and the realizations that ensued.

The album encapsulates “that common thread about how you thought things were going to turn out when you were 21 or 22, … and then what happened when they didn’t necessarily go that way,” said The Darrows’ singer and guitarist Brandon Leck, describing the theme of “Parlour Music.”

But although Emery Byrd managed neither fame nor fortune, its members refused to crumble in defeat.

Instead, they went back to the drawing board with fewer expectations and emerged with music that is evolved, dimensional, and pretty damn good.

“Everything was really transitional. We were with Emery Byrd for so long and a really tight knit group, and when that sort of falls apart you’re thinking how much you put into it and realize you’ve lost a bit of family,” explains Matt Carastro, who plays guitar and shares lead vocals.

“We had songs left over from before, so we just started recording them,” Brandon adds. This time though, the group played the songs without their previous expectations.

“We weren’t apprehensive this time around to try new things; whereas, with Emery Byrd it seemed like there were some guidelines. Now we’ve got some more freedom,” he said.

Bassist Bobby Pratt agrees. “When we started recording, it wasn’t like this was going to be a band; it was just fun,” he said.

Doing something simply for the pleasure of it sounds easy. But the burden of knowing where and what you want to be and how far you have to go has hindered many a musician, not to mention detracted from the enjoyment of the process itself.

So these days, The Darrows are deliberately laid back. When asked how they were preparing for this summer’s live shows (considering they only have three under their belt), the band answered with “10 Minute Abs” and the infomercial phenomenon “Shake Weights.”

While staying in peak physical shape is important, though, the band’s ambition isn’t so much “world domination,” Matt jokes, as simply playing for listeners’ pleasure.

“If we can have people who enjoy it and us still enjoy it, then that’s good. And to go out and play for a few more people,” he said.

“You would love to think that a big outdoor arena might be the ultimate thing, but I think somewhat of the intimacy is lost in that. Nothing really tops The Casbah. It’s comfortable; it sounds great, and it always feels good to be there.”

“I think if people are at least looking in our direction we’re good. If they’re telling a joke and poking their friend in the belly we lost.”

But paradoxically, The Darrows’ carefree attitude has created an album worthy of the success that many fame hungry bands aspire to.

With casually seductive melodies and hints of old rock influences, “Parlour Music” reflects upon the bands’ experiences and accepts the reality of the group’s limitations.

On ‘Disintegrate Alright,’ for instance, Brandon sings, “Someone would come and say, I’m in control, well, it goes to show there’s nothing you know.”

If there’s anything one learns over time, it’s that control is an illusion, and it’s ironic that, with major-label wisdom like that to share, The Darrows is now content playing small local shows.