Barefoot Manner

The word “consonance” is defined in Webster’s Dictionary, as “an accord or agreement of sounds produced simultaneously, as a note with its third, fifth, and eighth. Also, an agreement or congruity; harmony; accord; consistency; suitableness. A friendship; concord.” This is also the title of Barefoot Manner’s newest album. Aptly titled, Consonance is their audible version of this ideal.

As I sit at my computer and download the photographs my family and I had taken over the weekend, I cannot help but reminisce about those wonderful days in the North Carolina Mountains. As a volunteer, my three children and I arrived on Thursday and set up camp in what was to become the “family camping” area. By Friday afternoon this small wooded glen was filled up with wonderful families, whose children became fast friends, playing endless games of tag and exploring. And what exploring there was! On our first day we found several wonderful places to swim (there were two lakes) and a wonderful babbling brook to wade in. The water was cold, yet refreshing. It was a nice treat after getting all sweaty setting up camp.

There are many musical groups and artists that leave an impression upon us, the listeners, at some point and time in our lives. Some of these help us through the hard times, while some cause us to remember the good. Then there are those few who follow us throughout our lives, carrying us through the bad, the good and the mundane. Barefoot Manner is one of those bands, with the kind of music that crosses several genres and can make even the most stalwart listener feel the contagious beat of their original songs.

Leeway's Home Grown Music Network and the Lincoln Theatre have teamed up to present what will be one of the best street festivals ever hosted in downtown Raleigh NC.