Indie-folk rockers bring fresh sound to Savannah

Asheville, N.C.-based band Now You See Them (NYST) returns to Savannah to perform at the Sentient Bean on Friday, March 5, at 8 p.m. This acoustic indie/folk pop trio has captivated audiences with their onstage ingenuity and their incorporation of nontraditional instruments.

“Our instrumentation is really unique. Shane [Conerty] plays a ukulele, Jason [Mencer] plays a hand percussion instead of a full drum set, and I play a melodica,” said band member Dulci Ellenberger. “Even our vocal blending is really not traditional. We take people by surprise and our music tends to make them feel really good, whether they want to or not.”

Through a combination of beautiful harmonies and burning lyrics, NYST creates a truly unique sound that has been described as a “breath of fresh air.”

“A lot of music being made today kind of all falls into the same genre, and I think we are just different and that’s why people say that about us,” Mencer said. “Our two-part harmonies combine with the instruments to form a really cool sound.”

The band was originally formed in Sydney, Australia. After meeting in New York, Ellenberger, Conerty and Mencer decided they wanted to travel the world together. Hawaii came first, followed four months later by Sydney, Australia.

“We were working odd jobs and playing music at bars and clubs in Sydney to kind of get by and save up travel money,” Ellenberger said. “Then immigration discovered us making money without the proper papers and we all got deported.”

After reconvening in Asheville, NYST ventured out with a much stronger commitment to the band.

“We have been really serious about it since we moved to Asheville, which was about two years ago,” Ellenberger said. “The year we played in Australia we hadn’t really figured it out yet, we didn’t know each other well enough, and we just weren’t ready for the commitment.”

With a newfound dedication, NYST began fine-tuning their sound and making strides to become one of Asheville’s hottest bands.

“We try to get the crowd singing and dancing, just getting into the show. Once people see us they are engaged, and they have a really good time,” Mencer said. “We are getting fans in the right way now; people are walking away from shows smiling.”

By combining somber lyrics with seemingly happy chord progressions and melodies, NYST hopes to convey a message.

“We really try to combine dark and light aspects into our songs, and we do that to show that there is still hope that things can change,” Mencer said. “Lots of the songs are travel journals of experiences we have had, and we portray them in a way that helps people look at how great things turned out, despite some horrible experiences.”

Fans can look forward to NYST’s first ever professionally recorded EP in the not too distant future. The band also plans to work on their first full-length album while touring with the EP.

Friday night attendees at the Sentient Bean will get more than coffee and pastries for their $3 cover charge.

“You can expect a really good time, fun beautiful music that will sound different to your ears, and of course a sweaty hug,” Conerty said.

For more on this event, including a complete list of featured artists, visit desotorow.org.

3.5 out of 5 stars

An Intercontinental Releasing Corporation (IRC) production

Written/Directed by Don Edmonds

No official rating, but it’s definitely not for young children

“Seven” will open on March 5 with a reception at 6 p.m. The exhibit will be displayed until March 29. Gallery S.P.A.C.E. is located at 9 West Henry St. at the intersection with Whitaker Street. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays. Further information is available at www.savannahga.gov/arts or by calling (912) 651-6783.