The Underground at Jaffe Drive, Lincoln Center New York, NY
Web: ringdownmusic.com
Contact: [email protected]
Players: Caroline Shaw, Danni Lee Parpan, vocals, synth, piano, viola
Material: On a sweltering Summer night, duo Ringdown performs their show at The Underground at Jaffe Drive. The Underground sits below Lincoln Center, essentially outdoors. Set in front of scientific photos of leaves and bathed in dramatic lighting, Ringdown delivers theatrics and emotion. Throughout the show, they showcase their repertoire and introduce the newest release, “Ghost.” Tracks highlight Shaw’s skill on viola, with Parpan using her equipment to record, loop, alter, and add new instrumental layers. From there, vocal melodies join, adding sweetness and honesty. Ringdown’s expert knowledge of their instruments allows them to paint exquisite backdrops for their lyrics.
Musicianship: In addition to instrumentals, Ringdown blends in layers of foley and unconventional elements, like a megaphone or tapping on the viola for rhythm. In “What Are You After,” soft viola notes and whistling segue into bird calls, transporting the audience to a bright, summery day. The duo excels with live production. Parpan and Shaw plug away at their boards, splitting vocals into harmonies, looping and repeating instrumental voices, or interspersing foley of wind-up toys to create something alive and evolving.
The penultimate “Other Song” was created by Shaw years ago with the intention of remaining fluid. After composing, she has performed it with a variety of musical groups and ensembles, always amazed how their interpretations influence the final product.
Performance: In The Underground, audience interaction is vital. Despite the heat, Parpan and Shaw go above and beyond to engage with the crowd. Between tracks, they tell stories, make jokes, and have fun. Taking place during Manhattanhenge, Ringdown has props to stage their own version so the audience wouldn’t miss out. They even brought limited edition merch, printed with “We Missed Manhattanhenge for Ringdown at Lincoln Center.” A large dragonfly flits over them for almost the entire set, but once they finish, Parpan heroically catches it and sets it free.
Summary: Ringdown are dedicated to their craft, and it shines in their songs. They’re experimental and unique, but still accessible and fun. It’s clear Ringdown enjoys their work and each other, and hopefully will continue to do so for a long time.
