Skyler Skjelset, Magenta Wave, Mountain Holler play on sacred ground

“The Crocodile is sacred ground,” Skyler Skjelset says half way through his set at Madame Lou’s.

Skjelset would know. A founding member of Seattle band Fleet Foxes, he played at the Crocodile when the band was up and coming in the mid-2000s. And though he lives in New York now, he hasn’t been a stranger. Just last fall he played Madame Lou’s with British alt-rock bands Dummy and Ulrika Spacek.

On March 14, Skjelset was joined by local bands Magenta Wave and Mountain Holler for an intimate show at Madame Lou’s. Mountain Holler, the stage name of Mark Etherington, opened with his heart-wrenching acoustic songs and dazzling vocal range. Magenta Wave, a four-piece rock band, played a stripped-down version of their act as an acoustic duo. Their set was mournful and powerful – driving and urgent, even without the drums. 

Skjelset brought his rich, gentle and at times raspy voice to the stage, pairing his vocals perfectly with the vibrant and clanging tones of his guitar. His sound is indie-rock with inflections of shimmery, ethereal pop. Though he’s just one person, his sound is less solo-act and more one-man-band. He played fluidly along to pre-recorded drums and tapped a tambourine on the ground with his foot to create his own rhythm section.

A stand-out in his set was the song “V C,” off his 2020 album, Back in Heaven. With a sound both dark and peaceful, the song probes for what is real among a kaleidoscope of images. “The dreams been made real phony,” Skjelset sings. “I hope it's something I can keep.” 

The song captures the pain and elation of holding onto something beautiful while knowing it may one day slip away. In a way, it captures the essence of a live performance – something that exists only in a specific place and time, for the people who happened to be there. A magical moment birthed from sacred ground.

By: Tess Wrobleski