Kacy & Clayton are astoundingly good. A cousin duo that hails from Canada, their sound is like something that was beamed down from a bygone era. It’s psychedelic, mystifying, haunting and full of the kind of wisdom that typically comes with decades of life experience. But both are under 25 and brimming with an intimidating level of talent. A recent live show at New York City’s Mercury Lounge on October 23rd found them delivering a flawless, if perfectionistic, performance of songs off their latest release The Siren’s Song. Having both been robbed that day (yes, really), it would not be unreasonable to expect a slightly frazzled performance. But Kacy & Clayton and their band were tight and sounded pristine.
Kacy Anderson has the kind of voice you just can’t believe, and hearing her live is something to behold. Her vocals are almost bewitching, soft and strong all at once. And Clayton Linthicum creates a hypnotic, atmospheric world with his guitar playing. Perhaps it’s their rural Saskatchewan roots that contribute to their otherworldly sound, but the way they wrap it in a kind of cool, retro 70s aesthetic is what makes them so compelling.
Audience members seemed well-versed in Kacy & Clayton’s already impressive canon. The band mostly did songs off last year’s excellent Strange Country, and this year’s Jeff Tweedy-produced Siren’s Song, with a few covers thrown in. While Clayton obsessively tuned his guitar for each tune, Kacy charmed the crowd with witty stories of their brief, but eventful, time in New York. Favorites included “White Butte Country”, “The Light of Day”, and “This World Has Seven Wonders” all of which captivated the room. Having seen these two perform a standout, if shorter, set at this past summer’s Solid Sound Festival, it was a treat to see them headline and take a deeper dive.
