Quacking microphones, awkward pauses and an overall enticing performance marked the release of Now, Now Every Children’s first EP, Not One But Two, last Saturday, February 16. The show was hosted by The Beat Coffeehouse in Uptown Minneapolis.

Band members Cacie Dalager (vocals, guitar), Brad Hale (drums, vocals), Britty Hale (keyboards) and Justin Schweim (bass) combined to form Now, Now Every Children in the summer of 2007. Since being signed in October by Afternoon Records – joining the likes of Mouthful of Bees, One for the Team, Haley Bonar and I, Colossus – the band has been diligently balancing live performances with the recording of two EPs and full-length album scheduled to be released this May.

The audience at the coffeehouse quickly surrounded the playing area as Now, Now opened their five song set. Heads nodded to the rhythm of the guitars while feet found themselves settling to follow the bass beat of Brad Hale’s brilliantly syncopated drum patterns. Now, Now’s self-proclaimed “awkward” changeovers were welcomed by a laid-back uptown audience. Brad Hale supplemented the changeovers with a microphone that “quacked” whenever adjusted. A solution was quickly issued to the problematic mic stand that will go down in history for ingenuity: “I’ll try moving it quickly this time.” The crowd was amused when Cacie praised her guitar tuner and Brad pointed out that she mentions the same thing every show. As characteristic of the quad, time spent between songs was time spent not at self-promotion, but instead supplying more compliments than a color wheel could to the evening’s accompanying performers.

As the music continued the audience could not help themselves from becoming engrossed in vocals reminiscent of Eisley and the captivating melodies played on synthesizers by Britty Hale. Yet the music is truly distinct – catchy xylophone progressions, killer drumming, palm muted guitars, and danceable choruses all crescendo an amazing musical experience.

On an environmental note, the EPs sold at the show had minimal packaging. So minimal in fact, that one EP was purchased lacking a disc – a matter that was quickly remedied with no symptoms of PTSD from the customer. The extended plays were enclosed by a recycled chipboard casing would make any tree hugger content with their purchase.

For further information and listening visit the band’s website at myspace.com/nownoweverychildren. To see a live performance of Now, Now one may join them at the Triple Rock on the West Bank this Wednesday night at 9 p.m.

Tags: Indie Rock