Lights Out at The Paramount! (Photo Slideshow)

Ingrid Michaelson Live at the Paramount (Photo by Mocha Charlie)

By Mocha Charlie

Currently on the “Lights Out Tour,” (namesake of her current EP release), Ingrid Michaelson shined on stage at The Paramount last week, with the support of her band mates, and the two bands she brought out on this leg of the tour.

First to take the stage was Connecticut band, The Alternate Routes. Touring as a duo are the band’s founders Tim Warren and Eric Donnelly. Their vocal & musical harmonies are strong and consistent, and lead singer Warren makes up for the fact that there are only two of them on stage with his multiple use of instruments. Not only does Warren sing & play guitar, but he also plays harmonica, tambourine, and what I would describe as a “magical tool box.” He has placed items inside of a yellow box with a mic inside,  that he shakes periodically and vigorously, simulating a drum beat and creating a one-of-a-kind sound. Their last full length EP, Lately, was released back in 2010, after parting ways with their record label. Since then, the’ve been in & out of the studio, and on & off tour. In 2013, they were overwhelmed with the school shooting tragedy in Newtown, CT. The song “Nothing More” was written as a way to bring the community together and to help in the healing process. It was created to help support Newtown Kindness, a non-profit organization. The song was featured on the Christmas Episode (Dec. ’13) of “NCIS”, thrusting it into the iTunes top 100, and was also a part of the 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. 

Next up was an Irish duo featuring Kevin May and Mick Lynch, who began in the band The Guggenheim Grotto in 2006, and have been performing together ever since. Last November, they released their first EP, This Time Round, under their new name, Storyman. Reflecting their Irish roots, their songs are consistent with the pop/folk genre. They are also playful, as heard in their song “For A Cat.” After a slight issue with his green card, this is the first stop on the tour that keyboardist/vocalist Kevin May has been able to play. Prior to this stop, Chris Kuffner  (Ingrid’s bassist, who also produced Storyman’s EP) filled in. Storyman is also featured on Ingrid’s song “You Got Me,” from her Lights Out EP.

The “Lights Out Tour” will conclude June 3 in Boston; however, Ingrid has also announced a few additional dates throughout the summer.