Photos: Frankie Cavone
I could hear the echoes from the crowd above waiting to see Annie in the Water and Hilltop as I climbed the stairs of the historic The Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes, NY on December 29, 2023. As I approached the main lobby where guests eagerly awaited the start of the show, I saw the members of both bands manning their merch tables, interacting enthusiastically with fans as they browsed the selection of stickers, t-shirts and CDs. Hilltop even had custom holographic prints made for the night, with art that was as trippy as their performances I watched online. The aesthetics of both bands are that of an old hippie soul – water, air, mountaintops, and, of course, grassy hilltops. The stage was even lit an earthy green color as I made my way into the auditorium, perfectly embodying Hilltop’s chill, outdoorsy jam band vibe.
In upstate New York’s rich and diverse jam band scene, Annie in the Water and Hilltop are two names I have heard frequently. Guthrie/Bell Productions had put together what was supposed to be an amazing show, and as usual, they did not disappoint with this lineup. Watching both bands’ social media promotion carefully in the days leading up to this anticipated show, I noticed that they are not only musically talented – they succeed in something every indie artist must be successful at in the year 2023; social media marketing and concert promotion. Every post was engaging and aesthetically-pleasing, making me even more excited for the event.
Hilltop took the stage to play their first song of the night, “Tell Me.” Immediately, I noted the unmistakable “quack” of lead singer and guitarist Aris Nieuwkerk’s guitar, giving listeners a taste of Jerry Garcia’s signature sound. With tasty bass riffs laced throughout and all members harmonizing on the song’s chorus, “Tell Me” kicks off the night in style. Their second song, “You Must Change,” resonated with me on a deeper level. “If you want a better life / Then you must change” is a sentiment many of us try to live by. The chorus was followed by a spicy jam session that brought me back to a warm summer day.
One of the band’s strongest qualities is their memorable guitar riffs. Both “Thru The Nite” and “Beautiful” are examples of Nieuwkerk’s skill as a guitarist, while their jams showcased all members’ musicality and tightness as a band. Hilltop creates an all-encompassing sound, which is sometimes difficult to achieve as a four-piece band. Furthermore, their songs flowed seamlessly into the next, with very little filler in between, if any.
My personal favorite song from Hilltop’s set was “Long Roads.” With strobe lights that shone a kaleidoscope of colors and a musically complex jam session that put every band member’s talents on full display, the song was a showstopper, and could’ve easily worked as a closer if it was ever chosen to be. The use of various percussion instruments is what made “Long Roads” such a standout, with pedal effects that made the tune texturally unique.
Around 9:45, Annie in the Water made their way out to the Cohoes Music Hall stage. They kick off their set with “Time to Play,” which gets the crowd moving to the beat within seconds. Their website’s description of their “Americana indie rock” sound all began to make sense, as the acoustic guitar gave the song a warm singer-songwriter feeling while the keyboards, electric instruments and two percussionists gave it that distinct jam band sound.
If I had to describe in a couple of words how I felt listening to Annie in the Water’s first few songs, I’d say it’s feel-good music; anyone can vibe to it. This was especially apparent in the band’s second song, “Frozen Lake.” A slower tune, it almost felt like R&B music in how buttery it was. “Frozen Lake” had a special quality that I rarely noticed ever happening at a live show – half of the crowd was dancing in a lively manner, while the other half was slow dancing with a partner or by themselves. A few interesting elements were present in this song; the use of wind chimes and a unique keyboard solo to name a few.
One of my favorite qualities of Annie in the Water is their versatility and the ability to be musically unpredictable. You never know what to expect next, as their songs serve as a mosaic of sounds that you don’t hear mixed together very often, such as using wah wah pedals in conjunction with country-esque acoustic guitar. The group was undeniably in the pocket throughout the entire set, as the band would often start and stop perfectly in time during various parts of the jam. The groove and intensity of each song were often taken to new heights as the night progressed. It quickly became clear that all members of Annie in the Water are passionate, driven musicians.
The band’s third song was a cover of the popular Fleetwood Mac tune, “Never Going Back Again.” Covers can be difficult, as it is a task to replicate or even enhance the feeling of the original piece. However, Annie in the Water’s spin on the song showcased their many talents best. Bassist Chris Meier had an undeniable, soulful groove on the cover, while lead guitarist Michael Lashomb’s fingerpicking was reminiscent of Lindsey Buckingham, an incredibly skilled guitarist whose style was unique.
There was a moment during their fourth song, entitled “Seeds” where I thought to myself, “Wow, I have never seen an audience have this much fun at a show.” Reminiscent of 70s psychedelia such as the Steve Miller Band, keyboardist Matt Richards shines brightest on “Seeds.” The jam gave every band member a moment in the spotlight. There was such fluidity, as the genres bounced back and forth between psychedelia, hard rock and funk. A song that came to mind during this particular jam was “Green Flower Street” by Donald Fagen in its jazziness and continuous changes that kept the audience engaged. “Seeds” was my favorite song in the set, and by far my favorite jam.
“Ohio” slows it down with an intro composed only of the electric guitar and keyboard. As the audience realized which song it was, some of them screamed in excitement, while others began to sing the words. The sunset-colored light show perfectly encapsulated the vibe of this warm, summery song. The jam was mind-bending, yet connected and grounding. Singers Brad Hester and Michael Lashomb’s vocal abilities were best showcased here, with sustained notes and an unexpected transition into a near hip-hop style of fast singing toward the end.
About halfway through the show, Brad and Michael asked the audience to collectively close their eyes and think about what love means to us, whether that is a family member, friend, partner, or passion we possess. Annie in the Water has a way of creating an atmosphere in the space they are performing in. Having recently hosted a Winter Solstice Sound Healing session at Lark Hall, I can understand why they would be the facilitators of this kind of event after experiencing their live show.
After this interlude, Brad and Michael turned to the acoustic portion of the set. “Angelfish” created an Americana singer-songwriter mood, as Brad and Michael harmonized beautifully with each other. Using only two instruments and their voices, the bright sound they created resonated throughout the room. This and the songs that followed greatly exemplified Annie in the Water’s versatility. Whether it was Brad collaborating with his wife Floriane on “I Love When You Say,” a song he wrote for her, or singing their eccentric country song “Get On The Bus,” the group proves to be as many-sided as any promising jam band should be.
To close out the show, Annie in the Water brought Hilltop back up to the stage for a magical super jam on Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like An Eagle.” This collaboration brought out the best qualities of both bands, as a positive ambiance formed in the room. It was heartwarming to see the two groups come together for an otherworldly jam made possible by their shared passions.
When Annie in the Water asked us to choose a word or person that resembles what love means to us, I unsurprisingly chose “music.” Sometimes, the best crowds and most passionate bands get together in a medium-sized room and put on a show that has fans talking for days, weeks, or even months after it has ended. This is what Annie in the Water and Hilltop have achieved.
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