Paper Route- Live at The Mercury Lounge 7/14

I've been following the Nashville band, Paper Route for awhile now, dating back to their first EP in '06, but for some reason have never caught the bands live show before. With a heavy dose of synth and electronics on their Ep's and debut album I was curious what the band would bring to their live performance at The Mercury Lounge last night. Where some electronic based acts can falter in the live setting, Paper Route dispelled any worries early on in the proceedings, as they hit the stage running, ripping through the first two songs of the set, "American Clouds", and "Wish", proving that not only are they gifted musicians, but they know how to flat out rock. The rhythm section was particularly on point all night, as drummer Gavin McDonald was a monster behind the kit, along side Chad Howat effortlessly switching between bass & synth, as the pair were particularly strong on 'Tiger Teeth", and "Last Time." The two headed monster on vocals of J.T Daly and Andy Smith traded lead and harmonies all night, not missing a step in either case, highlighted by "Empty House" and "You Kill Me" off their "Are We All Forgotten' EP and "Last Time" off their new debut LP, Absence, which showcased the bands tight playing, with it's start and stop break.
If your familiar with Paper Route's music, then you know the band make big ambitious music, with soaring choruses that could easily take to a larger arena or stage, but in the intimate setting at Mercury Lounge the bands music never seemed cramped or lost. The band put on one of the most energetic and intense sets I've seen this year, and if you haven't checked them out yet, you still have some time as the group have select dates left across the US (for all the dates check below).

Setlist:
American Clouds
Wish
Carousel
Are We All Forgotten
Empty House
Last Time
Tiger Teeth
You Kill Me
Thank God The Year is Finally Over
Gutter
Dance on Our Graves

Wish - Paper Route

Upcoming tour dates:
Jul 15 DC9 Washington D.C., Washington DC
Jul 16 Maxwell’s Hoboken, New Jersey
Jul 17 Kungfu Necktie Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jul 18 The Mod Club Toronto, Ontario
Jul 19 Garfield Artworks Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jul 20 Underground Cafe South Bend, Indiana
Jul 21 The Intersection - Grand Rapids, Mi
Jul 22 Schubas Tavern Chicago, Illinois
Jul 23 Firebird St. Louis, Missouri
Jul 24 Mojo’s Columbia, Missouri
Jul 25 Box Awesome Lincoln, Nebraska
Jul 26 Marquis Theatre Denver, Colorado
Jul 27 Club Vegas Salt Lake City, Utah
Sep 18 Pygmalion Music Festival Urbana, Illinois

follow Paper Route on myspace.