If you recall we got a great live review of the Vampire Weekend a couple weeks ago that ended up vaulting the band into a SNL performance, is that next for Pomegranates? Maybe not but Caitlin was on the scene Monday night as the local indie poppers took the stage opening for Islands at the Southgate House, the details follow…..

I was first introduced to Joey Cook—front man of local indie buzz band Pomegranates—two years ago. At the time, he was frequenting coffee shops with his acoustic brother-sister act, Racecar. A year later, Joey asked me to see a show with his new project, a newly formed band called Pomegranates. I was instantly blown away by their energy and catchy pop hooks, and even early on, I knew the band had potential.

One year later, and the Pomegranates have exceeded any and all expectations for a new local band. It only took a week after releasing their debut EP, “Two Eyes” that the band was signed to Bay Area-based label, Lujo Records. Soon after, the band was nominated for 2 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards (Best Alternative/Indie Band and New Artist of the Year). “Two Eyes” has already received airplay on WOXY.com and KEXP, as well as tons of positive press and blog buzz. I was able to catch their show at the Southgate House on Monday when they opened for Islands, a fitting choice for ex-Unicorns fans.

The band started off the set with “Bellhop” off the forthcoming LP, “Everything is Alive” to a somewhat hesitant audience (guitarist/bassist Isaac Kerns later commented that he thought most of the audience had never seen them play before). But by the time they played the pop gem, “The Children’s Progress”, the crowd was actually dancing, a rarity at Cincinnati shows. The band threw in another new song, followed by one of my favorite tracks off “Two Eyes”, a perfect example of the band’s fusion of pop, shoegaze, and indie that calls to mind Anathallo and Minus the Bear.

After a solid set by the Pomegranates, Islands took the stage. I walked into the show with very little knowledge about Islands except that it included former Unicorns frontman, Nick Thorburn. To be honest, I was pretty unimpressed by “Return To The Sea”, so I had few expectations for the show. However, my mind immediately changed as soon as the band launched into their opening song, one that I assume will be on their new album, due for release in April. One friend initially thought it was a Pink Floyd cover, which gives some insight into the new direction Islands is taking. The new songs were dark and epic, with elements much unlike the synth pop days of “Rough Gem.” As expected, they threw in old favorites like the Caribbean pop jam, “Don’t Call Me Whitney, Bobby” and the prog rock-esque “Where There’s A Will, There’s A Whalebone.” For sure, the album doesn’t do their live show justice, and I definitely left the show with anticipation for their new album.

There’s still time to catch the Pomegranates every Wednesday at the Southgate House until the end of March. They’ll also be playing a CD release show to promote their new full-length, Everything is Alive March 22 at the Gypsy Hut in Northside. After that, the band leaves for a nationwide tour through New York, DC, and Nashville, among others. As for Islands, the band is currently playing at South by Southwest before continuing the tour in the Midwest.

Pomegranates – Whom/Who