When a band’s sound consists of soft acoustic ballads, rich harmonies and well crafted lyrics, there are few environments more unwelcoming and hostile than a noisy, crowded bar on the weekend. The New Tragedies, however, possess a rare but proven talent for turning the distracting chaos into stunned, submissive silence.
Through bittersweet songs that often feel more like confessions, singer/songwriter Aaron Weidner and his wife Bev create an impressively full sound with an unadorned ease that has become their calling card over their 2+ years of playing around the Midwest. Whether utilizing a rotating roster of musicians, or playing a stripped-down set as a two-piece, The New Tragedies embody a kind of uncommon honesty that transcends the broken hearts club clichés, building an atmosphere that is as dark and fragile as it is warm and inviting.
In 2003, due to the hiatus of his former band The Paper Hearts (named one of six bands to watch by Alternative Press magazine,) Aaron Weidner set out to build his unique brand of Americana mixed with indie-pop in the likes of his heroes: Nick Drake, Mark Kozelek, Ida, Low, The Shins, etc. However, it wasn’t until Bev joined the band in early 2004 that The New Tragedies truly began to perfect their sound. The two were married soon after, and the clear chemistry between them can be heard in their flawless harmonies, where often it is impossible to tell where one voice ends and the other begins. The result is a sound that is both refreshing and timeless, and will continue to be so throughout the band’s existence.
