Rubblebucket Goes All the Way at Basement East

On January 30th, Rubblebucket’s colorful performance in the iconic Basement East energized an entire crowd. The funky indie-pop band pulled out all the stops — moving around their (Nashville-built) set, descending into the crowd, and showing off their studied yet spontaneous musical skill. Before the band even hit the stage, opener Hannah Mohan started the night on a high note. Mohan and her band performed songs from her new indie-pop album, Time is a Walnut, with passion and talent. Another star of the show was the tiny chihuahua Norman, who appears to be touring with Rubblebucket on their Year of the Banana Tour. He calmly chilled by the merch table, which notably sold a book of poetry — written by Rubblebucket member Annakalmia Traver — that inspired songs from the band’s latest album, Year of the Banana. 

As soon as Rubblebucket took the stage, the energy and spirits of the room lifted. Primary members Alex Toth and Annakalmia Traver traipsed on with quirky, colorful outfits (Toth mentioned his checkered pants were made by Traver), and the two supporting members more than matched their energy. Kicking their set off with three songs from Year of the Banana, Toth and Traver never stopped moving. Behind them was a set constructed of various soft and shiny fabrics, secretly containing multiple levels so the band members could climb on top of the set at times. An orange eye and yellow sunflower hid secret pop-out spots for Toth and Traver to poke their heads (or trumpets) in, too. At the end of the set, a giant disco banana (you read that right) was brought on stage to dance around. This color and controlled chaos created an atmosphere that called for the audience member’s inner child to come out and dance. 

Rubblebucket members Toth and Traver shone individually and as a unit with their musical skill and charismatic energy. Toth marched up and down the stage during his trumpet solos, and Traver used every part of the space as she sang. This made her presence playing the saxophone all the more commanding, as it was the only time she was (somewhat) still. Simple choreographed dances performed by Toth and Traver made performances feel all the more fun and intimate - it felt like watching two kids show you the dance they just came up with to their favorite song, and I mean this in the most complimentary way. Toth and Traver had a natural way of encouraging audience members to let loose, feel joy, and dance with no constraints. The smile on my face did not fade until long after I stepped out of the venue. Rubblebucket truly went above in beyond in every aspect of performance, and this concert is one I won’t forget.

- Jules Krueger

Photos Courtesy of GC Moorman (For Bell Music Magazine)