Diane Cluck at The Chapel 3/10/2014

Following the March 4th release of her 8th studio album, Boneset, Diane Cluck drew a small crowd to her show at The Chapel last Monday night.

Establishing that familiar sense of hipster entitlement before the music even started, those who couldn't find a chair at the partial seated show, made themselves comfortable on The Chapel's wooden floor. Located in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District, The Chapel  probably experiences this more than any other SF venue, however, it was the first time I've seen people voluntarily sit on the floor at show. (festivals obviously excluded). It definitely reinforced the feeling I had that this would be an interesting show.

 

Diane Cluck at The Chapel 3/10/2014
Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 Resembling a modern day Voodoo Witch Doctor, Diane Cluck joined her fairy-like protégé, Isabel Castellvi, on stage and hushed conversations quickly fell silent. The room seemed to become quieter still as soon as the singer-songwriter started singing. And with good reason. Cluck's voice is amazingly soothing, her delivery velvety and extremely smooth. Lyrics about death, bones, darkness and the like, came across light and lovely. So lovely in fact, that: well into the third song I was in such disbelief that anyone could sound that good live, on stage, in a room hardly filled to the max, I paid close attention to see if she was lip syncing. Rest assured, Diane Cluck does not lip sync,her singing is just that good!

 

Diane Cluck at The Chapel 3/10/2014
Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

The experimental Folk sound heard on all of her albums was represented well under the arch of The Chapel throughout the show. An acoustic guitar, classic cello strumming, unconventional cello "percussion" and an antique mini accordion were the only instruments used by each musician besides the mics and their voices behind them. 

 

Diane Cluck at The Chapel 3/10/2014
Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

While most of the set remained rather mellow, Cluck did speed up the tempo with an almost rap like delivery on the first of two songs dedicated to her grandmothers. Perched behind a cello much larger than herself, the young protégé admirably stole glances of Diane while she performed. Occasionally accompanying Cluck on back up vocals, their voices blended well and an adoring grin  never seemed to leave the young one's glowing face. Timid attempts to connect with her audience were made between songs, by way of song introductions and short stories, but the star of the show couldn't shake her lingering awkward air. Said air didn't hinder the performance, or attendees' enjoyment of it, rather it seemed to add to the odd charm of the show.

 

Diane Cluck at The Chapel 3/10/2014
Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

After making her rounds on the West Coast, Diane heads home to grace the East Coast with shows. The US Boneset tour ends on March 30th at The Oak + Ax in Biddeford Maine before gallivanting through Ireland, the UK and Europe until the end of May!

Find out where and when you can hear Diane Cluck's breathtaking live performance, here.