Concert review/photos: Ex Hex @ Boot & Saddle
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Betsy Wright of Ex Hex
Zachary Devereux Fairbrother adn Emily Robb of Lantern
Boot & Saddle radiated girl power last Saturday with a lineup so kickass I almost forgot what year it was. Mary Timony’s new project Ex Hex headlined for Philly groups Cayetana and Lantern, and the place was packed all night.
Lantern was deliciously loud; I don’t think I’ve seen such liberal (though effective) use of a wawa pedal in quite some time. With their matching long hair, singers Zachary Devereux Fairbrother and Emily Robb and drummer Christian Simmons delivered a very serious jam (seriously, no smiling).
After her stint with that other fun-loving girl band Wild Flag (featuring Carrie Brownstein of IFC’s Portlandia fame) in 2011, Mary Timony wasted no time assembling such talent as Betsy Wright on bass, and Laura Harris on drums to complete Ex Hex. Recently signed to Merge Records, they released their fist three-song EP on the March 18 as well as an adorable music video for the single “Hot and Cold.”
Performing live, the DC trio exuded friendship. Bopping around the stage, Timony and Wright sang right in each other’s faces and did the classic “lean-on-each-other’s-backs” move so often it’s like they were scratching an itch. The chemistry and presence were there, and it’s clear Timony hasn’t had enough of the stage yet (despite camping there for twenty plus years).
The new songs are extremely good: they’re catchy and a little surfy with generous backing vocals and fun lyrics, and the audience was eating it up.
