NFV Song Spotlight: Meels' Falcon and the Loon

Take a teaspoon of Arrow De Wilde and give it an Americana twist and Meels emerges. Meels is the moniker for Amelia Einhorn who recently played a WFNM night at Bar Lubitsch. Einhorn is from Mill Valley and a recent graduate from NYU. Based on the Bar Lubitsch performance, I'd say that the Los Angeles Americana-country music scene is lucky that she decided to unpack her bags in the city and nto Nashville. 

Meels at Bar Lubitsch

The focus of the set was on unreleased material, but the first song of the set "Falcon and the Loon" can be found on Spotify. It is a song about how the future can at times cause anxiety while at other times can result in anticipation. 

And I may not know where I'm going

But I fear I'll find out soon . . . . 

And I may not know where I'm going

But I hope I find out soon

With a four piece band and backing vocalist, the song was performed with smiles and perhaps a chuckle at her own lyrical skills. The song is highlighted by the strumming of a banjo and soft touch across the keyboard. Singing with a drawl, Einhorn gave out some winks to the crowd, which to me indicates a comfort on stage that allows for total awareness of her surroundings.

Meels at Bar Lubitsch

Throughout the set, friends and family yelled out their love. Einhorn gave a special shoutout to her sister who was upfront and center. 

"Old Mill Valley" is a song dedicated to her home town in Northern California and got the crowd clapping to the beat. The song "Vultures" might be about death, but it had everyone dancing never the less. "Willow Song" is about how her 5 years in New York City had her "missing the trees of California." The song is sung with vibrato and a sense of wistfully that was heightened with backing of a harmonica. 

Meels at Bar Lubitsch

"Outwest" is her dip into the old west. After taking on Nancy Sinatra, she ended the set playing her "one and only song I've ever written for the banjo" called "The Wizard." She announced that it would be her last song and someone could be heard in the crowd saying with disappointment, "Last song?" She ended the blue grass song with lightning strumming of the banjo that sent the racoon tail that hung from the neck of the guitar swinging. With that, a kiss was blown to the crowd. They didn't want the set to end and demanded an encore. Not on this night, unfortunately, "That's all I've got, guys."

 

Meels at Bar Lubitsch

Noticed: she wore a button saying, "Ask Me About The Hunger Project."  

Setlist: Falcon and the Loon, Old Mill Valley, Vultures, Willow Song, Outwest, These Boots Are Made for Walking (Nancy Sinatra cover), The Wizard.