Peter Hinson/PETER HINSON - Grass Widow: From left: Raven Mahon, Hannah Lew and Lillian Maring.
Like most of the band’s decisions, the tonal shift wasn’t just about the music. It was a deliberate move to keep everyone happy in a bid for longevity.
“We’ve played in other bands where there wasn’t as much of an emphasis on everyone feeling good at all times, but that’s kind of what we’re always trying to do,” Lew said.
(Peter Hinson/PETER HINSON) - Grass Widow
Right now that means turning Grass Widow into a less consuming venture. Between tour dates, the three are focusing on other projects, including Mahon’s woodworking, Lew’s filmmaking and Maring’s songwriting for other musical projects.
“I think a really important part of our sustainability is to have full-formed lives outside of the band as well as within the band,” Maring said. “To be honest and to be true to ourselves and to our own creative endeavors outside of the band will only help strengthen our relationships together and what we do together.”
Lew said the desire to maintain that balance could be a sign of age — “I think the older you get, the more you’re like, ‘I don’t want to do stuff I don’t want to do’ ” — and it extends to the band’s approach to touring. The women opt for two weeks on the road instead of five-week stints, so that they stay connected with friends and family.
“We take things into account,” 32-year-old Lew said. “Like, oh, maybe we shouldn’t drive all night and then play a show . . . Or, even though it costs more money to get a hotel room, maybe we should do that instead of sleeping on some 20-year-old’s floor. Because we want to stay a band longer.”
It takes constant tweaking to maintain the equilibrium, but the three agree the output warrants the effort. Balanced people make complementary bandmates, who make harmonious music. That’s a helpful lesson, and not just for musicians.
“This is really the longest committed relationship I’ve ever been in, and I’d say that it’s the most successful,” Maring said. “Everything we’ve been through together has taught me that it is possible to have that commitment to someone. And that’s affected my friendships, it’s affected all of my relationships. I’m really grateful for that.”
Grass Widow
9:30 p.m. Sunday. Comet Ping Pong, 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-364-0404. www.cometpingpong.com. $10.
The audience seemed thrilled with the German DJ’s bass-heavy offerings.
1371587872000
Letting audiences know how long they have until the band takes the stage is a really great idea.
1371583510000
A pocket-scaled pairing stretches the material: One becomes a lively pageant; the other gets an update.
1371580380000
An analysis of who produced the most ridiculous video make rounds on the Internet.
1371565532000
In honor of the museum’s “Ballets Russes” exhibition, the pianist delivers an on-point performance.
1371503820000
The club hosts a listening party to mark the album's Tuesday release.
1371489669000
REVIEW | Pop music’s most complex star plumbs the depths of his id on ominous, mesmerizing new album.
1371481200000
Musicians in Saturday’s show, part of summer apprenticeship program, are talented, if not all set for prime time.
1371415628000Mr. Smith’s “Walk, Don’t Run” instrumental became a surf-rock hit for the Ventures in the 1960s.
1371302400000
Who knew? The building at 815 V St. NW was formerly known as Duke Ellington's.
1371233666000
Alice Cooper performs with Marilyn Manson and GWAR at Merriweather Post Pavillion on Monday.
1371229752000
Veteran bassist Michael Formanek performs during the D.C. Jazz Festival.
1371161592000
From Summer Jam to Woodstock, we take a look at archive images of the hey-day of music festivals.
1371144077000Notable recordings from the world of pop music.
1370967246000The Post Most: EntertainmentMost-viewed stories,videos, and galleries in the past two hours
Loading...
Comments