Article and Photos by: Andrew Kopanski
Allston, MA — After a series of EP and single releases over the past years, 2018 is a milestone for Handsome Ghost. Their first album dropped a few months ago and this tour is a celebration of that work. The duo’s work is one of powerful emotions, many of them longing and sorrow, and possibly more than a little autobiographical. This make it even more special tonight with a band that is just at the beginning of national recognition at a small and intimate venue.
Beta Radio is anything but an unfinished project. The duo from Wilmington, NC is Benjamin Mabry and Brent Holloman, a duo well practiced in the art of smooth folk. Their music is simple, just a guitar and keyboard on stage but it has a way of enveloping the listener in layers of sound. The pair shared stories throughout their set, about how they co-wrote their first song “Either Way” while one was away in Hawaii and how grateful they are to their Pandora and Spotify listeners for keeping them going and sharing their music.
Handsome Ghost took the stage in the dark, giving an ethereal theme fitting to their name. Lit in the background by two pillars of light, only small glimpses of each member could be seen as a puddle light dimply illuminated by their feet. The crowd falls silent as they begin to play. Each song is a story in its own right, telling a tale often of heartbreak and promise. It’s not sad though, rather most of the melodies are upbeat despite the subject material. Even the more somber “Honest Mistake” is somber but inherently catchy.
Their tour continues across the country but if you’re in Boston and missed this show you’re in luck. They’re based in the city and tend to come back around often.
