Blues-rock band Mirador treated an audience at the Brooklyn Bowl to an electrifying performance on Tuesday, October 14th for the final stop of their North American tour. Mirador is the brainchild of Greta Van Fleet’s Jake Kiszka and Ida Mae’s Chris Turpin, and their dynamic guitar playing took listeners on a sonic journey throughout the concert. Kiszka and Turpin are both lead guitarists in their respective bands. The combination of these two outstanding musicians in the same band creates a musical game of tug of war that lasted throughout the entire show. Chris Turpin is a seasoned lead singer, having been the frontman for Ida Mae, while this is Jake Kiszka’s first chance to shine as a lead vocalist. Mirador began their set with a fiery rendition of their song, “Heels of the Hunt.” The audience gazed in awe as Kiszka and Turpin engaged in a guitar battle, trading licks back and forth with growing intensity. The duel ended with Kiszka playing the guitar behind his head, much to the delight of the roaring crowd. The set continued with Mirador’s debut single, “Feels Like Gold”, a song with a hypnotizing guitar riff that repeated throughout the song before exploding into the chorus. Kiszka’s and Turpin’s powerful vocals took the set to another level.
Kiszka and Turpin exited the stage to give their bassist, Nick Pini, and drummer, Mikey Sorbello, a moment to shine. Pini performed a brilliant bass solo, and Sorbello followed suit, absolutely killing it with his drum solo. Kiszka and Turpin returned to the stage, this time wielding acoustic guitars. The band transitioned into a more delta blues based vibe, with Turpin playing slide guitar while Kiszka played harmonica in addition to acoustic guitar. They slowed the set down with “Ten Thousand More To Ride”, a stunning romantic ballad. The crowd sang in unison as Chris Turpin hopped down from the stage to get even closer to them. Kiszka remained onstage, harmonizing with the passionate vocals of the fans. It was an incredible moment between the band and the fans. The acoustic section finished with “Must I Go Bound.” Kiszka and Turpin shared a microphone, singing in perfect harmony. Turpin’s vocals soared to new heights, contrasting beautifully with Kiszka’s rougher tone. Their voices blend like they were meant to sing together. Following the acoustic section, Mirador launched into “Blood and Custard”, a punchy blues song featuring a searing slide guitar line. They brought the energy up for the remainder of the show, never faltering during the complicated guitar work. The band wrapped up the show with a triumphant performance of “Skyway Drifter.” Each member of Mirador showcased their pure talent and admiration for the blues during this concert. Kiszka and Turpin are masters of their craft, and their determination to keep the blues in mainstream media is truly inspiring.
- Ashley Bendorf
Photos Courtesy of Patrick Phongsa (For Bell Music Magazine)
