Maple Run — 9 October 2019 on Rocket Shop Radio Hour
Maple Run joined guest host Taylor Workman on ‘Rocket Shop‘, Big Heavy World’s weekly local Vermont music radio hour on 105.9FM The Radiator. Catch up with them at facebook.com/maplerunvt
On Wednesday, October 9th, Maple Run brought their original Americana sound into Rocket Shop. Featuring Trevor Crist on lead vocals and lead guitarist, Nicole Valcour on drums and backup vocals, and John Spencer on Bass, the group showed off their original twang. Mixing a melody of root-musics, their sound flows deep in the river of Americana, calling forth an irresistible urge to get up and jig. The Stowe-based band came bearing several originals.
The first such original being “You’re Gonna Make Me Cry Again.” This track opens with Trevor’s voice without any vocal backup. Coupled with Trevor’s singing was the upbeat panging of guitar. When looking back to the song’s title, we can again find a sort of raw truth that can only be captured through song. When asked about the creative process behind this song, Trevor revealed that most of the songs the bands come up with are created through long arduous mental reckoning or from short-lived moments of passion, where words manifest with ease. “You’re Gonna Make Me Cry Again” was written through the first process. Years ago with the passing of Johnny Cash, Trevor felt form a “nugget” of heartache. He held onto this “nugget” for years, “mulling over those feelings for a long time,” until finally, the smoldering emotion concluded in the production of the song. Yet, their music takes on more inspiration than just pivotal events in the members’ lives; the band revealed that this first song drew inspiration from Waylon Jennings, John Prine, and Buck Owens. Trevor even pointed out, that “You’re Gonna Make Me Cry Again” was “more of a Buck Owens song than a Johnny Cash song”.
Their second performance of the night, “Queen of Labrador City,” began with a more lax demeanor. This effect fooled ears into believing that the song would be slower, more refined. However, when the guitar descended into piercing vocals, it became apparent that this song would be one of intensity. The song was imbued with beautiful harmonization between Trevor and Nicole, ebbing and flowing between evanescing highs and lulls of force and emotion. While discussing the group's vocal performance, I can’t continue without emphasizing the role of back-up vocalist, Nicole. She has been singing “since [she] started breathing”. Her first time performing dates back to her high school years, where she would sing the Star Bangled Banner at sporting events. Nicole’s harmonization with Trevor was fantastic; her quiet and reserved stage presence is noticeably contrasted with her honeyed bellows that line the songs as hot undertones in the rust-pigmented genre. Simply put, Maple Run would not be the same without Nicole’s voice.
After several more performances like their slowed down, waltz-like cover of Roger Miller’s “Engine Engine #9”, or the band’s original “Ma Bell” about Trevor’s long-distance love in a time of landlines, it was clear that the Maple Run’s music was soulful with a touch of whimsy and grit. Their authentic stories are akin to the rustic and fabled identity of Americana. My only wish for Maple Run is that they become more established in terms of their musical production. There’s murmurings from the band members of a potential recording session, but nothing serious yet. As of now, you can find them in live venues around Vermont, especially in Stowe, their original stomping ground. For a full list of upcoming shows, check out their Facebook page!
Text by Jay Strek.
Photo by James Lockridge.
