Traveling south from Indianapolis to let it all hang out at The Cobra in East Nashville, Kara Cole and her band pulled no punches in their performance last Wednesday night.
Upon entry to Gallatin Pike’s finest rock club, I got my hand stamped with black ink and made the sharp right turn through the door into the dimly lit chamber of noise. The side of the stage is directly in front of you when you walk in, immediately immersing you into the energy, and such energy was being created by Tommy Scifres. I noticed bass guitarist and producer extraordinaire Paul DeFiglia on bass, so knew they meant business. They were winding down on their last song before lots of applause ensued from the densely populated floor, so they must’ve done something right.
It was a solid audience of minglers, sippers, and barflys under the red barroom light, as a cacophony of conversation permeated the air as Cole and company set up. The colorful coiled snake (cobra) provided and provides both moral and visual support to any and all acts that step on stage, and its presence was felt. And no, psychedelics were not used this night.
With the help of guitar stalwart and Lainey Wilson’s axe man of choice Kevin Nolan along with Mina Keohane (keys), Adam Shuntich (bass), and Kevin Hood (drums), Cole took to the coveted stage, and let the Nashville crowd in on what’s going down up the road in Indy.
Kicking things off with the all powerful number and 2022 single “Hurts Like Hell,” Cole and the band wasted no time ripping into a heavy emotional number. With her parlor style guitar clung tight to her chest, Cole wailed away while her backing band acted as stellar support. “I wish I could say I wish you well / But I hope it hurts like hell,” she repeated within the chorus. The harmonies with Keohane were fierce and unrelenting, and the soul was not lacking.
She soon ripped into the riff-heavy track, “I’m a Mess,” which is her brand new upcoming single set to hit listener’s ears this Friday July 26th, 2024. The song is an all-powerful tale of losing control of your feelings in a toxic relationship, letting the other person get the best of you and straight up rocking your world. “Just like whiskey I put you on the shelf / White powder go and find somebody else / Like a devil in a little black dress / It’s ‘cause of you / Honey I’m a mess,” she sings, followed by some heavy duty electric guitar. “I’m a Mess” will also have its own captivating music video, and will be released July 30th.
The harmonies and collective sound from each player underneath Cole’s voice was simply stunning, hitting you square in the chest, especially if you’re in the throes of a tumultuous relationship. And the crowd felt it. There was little to no turning away or pulling out phones.
Displaying her versatility, she then dipped into the more country and Americana side of things with “Johnny Cash” and her February 2023 single, “Mary Francis.” Cole spoke of her inseparable bond from her grandma, to whom she lived with and took care of until her passing, and this touching song was written for her and their time together. “Mary Francis” had a well-received music video, which saw airplay on CMT for a few weeks after its release.
Another standout performance was her also unreleased single and title track of her new EP, Firefly, which is set to drop August 20th, 2024. They wrapped up their electric set with “Waiting on You,” which had the audience “waiting” on Cole’s every word after she won them over with each and every song.
The sheer power in Cole’s voice is earth-quaking, and her lyrics are often jagged and pertain to the pangs of bitter, toxic relationships. Her vocals and the effortless skill of her band commanded the room from the jump, whether it was a heavy or heartfelt number, and folks couldn’t express how impressed they were after the show. “When’re you moving to Nashville?” she was asked. Something tells me the fans in Indianapolis would be none too please if she took her talents south, but she sure would fit like a glove down here.
