Disappointment was in the air as students gathered to listen to the tunes of local bands. Momo Grace and The Co Founder played at the Underground Coffeehouse Wednesday, Nov. 9. Lead vocalist, pianist and ukulelist of Momo Grace, and Western alumna, Monica Parshotam thought that because of the election the band felt weird. “[The show] went really well. I always love performing. It was a little strange given that last night was the election,” Parshotam said. “We still really enjoyed it.” Vocalist and guitarist of Momo Grace and fellow Western alumnus Zach Kutkey thought the performance went well, given the emotions currently surrounding the students. “It was weird because everyone was somber,” Kutkey said. “Given the election, or maybe it’s just the Underground Coffeehouse.” While the Underground Coffeehouse does have a more calming atmosphere than most other music venues, Kutkey said that they do enjoy doing more shows in bars rather than in coffee shops. “Coffee shops are a weird inbetween, you aren’t in someone's living room, but you're not on a stage at a bar. It’s an awkward middle point,” Kutkey said.
“It was weird because everyone was somber. Given the election, or maybe it’s just the Underground Coffeehouse.”
Momo Grace band member Zach Kutkey
For Momo Grace the performance was a homecoming. Kutkey and Parshotam met at Western when they both participated in acapella, and the band formed itself from there a year and a half ago. They both have participated separately at open mic nights the Underground regularly holds. “It’s totally different with a band. When it’s by myself it’s a different sense of vulnerability being the only one up there,” Parshotam said. The Co Founder band members are also Western alumni who have previously performed at the Underground either by themselves or with other projects. Drummer and ukuleleist for The Co Founder Jake Barrow was quick to point out that this performance was much different than the shows they typically do. “I’ve played here a couple of times and it can throw you off, the whole volume limit. If you play with a drumset you have play with different sticks then you normally do that are quiet,” Barrow said. “It can be very strange and offputting.”
