Married couple Molly Venter and Eben Pariser brought their project Goodnight Moonshine to Caffe Lena on a Saturday in early December 2022. The duo plays acoustic guitars and sings into a solitary mic. This highlights the spark of their harmonies, both vocally and from their instruments. The audience enjoyed the couple’s banter and playing throughout the show, joining in impromptu with backup harmonizing and also when asked to join in by the band.
Earlier that day, Goodnight Moonshine had performed for a group of young children at Caffe Lena. Transitioning to the adult crowd, the couple was having fun realizing that their child-safe filters were still on. Someone from the crowd asked, “How many wheels on the bus?” Venter was quick to reply, “As many as it takes to get them to stop crying!” This was one of many enjoyable moments throughout the evening.
Venter dedicated a song called True North to her father. Lines such as “there went my peace of mind with you on the otherside” and “taught me to speak true” brought to light her love for her father. Venter’s soulful voice is a story-telling gem.
Later in the long set, Pariser asked the audience for participation. He asked those with low voices to sing a low “drown in my own tears” and the higher voices to sing a harmony to the same line. This was fun, and as always the crowd at Caffe Lena did not disappoint the artist.
For this listener, two songs highlight what connects this pair to their audience, and the rest of the world for that matter. One is about the couple’s twins called “Already Who You Are” and the other is called “Stars.” Both have lines about everything being “made of stars.” Speaking true indeed. Keep an eye out for Goodnight Moonshine next year and see them if you can. You can stream shows from Caffe Lena, as well. Information can be found here.
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