Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground Music and Art

by | Jan 23, 2025 | Music

Far Beyond the Ordinary: a powerful and evocative music performance by Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground Music and Art

Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground

Masha Marjieh – Beyond The Ordinary

While I love the mix of Americana, rockabilly, blues, and bluegrass that Manchester Underground Music and Art cultivates each month at the River Raisin Distillery, I was enthralled when I heard that Masha Marjieh would be performing.

My experience with Masha has been very limited. Basically, I saw her in the band Octopus when they opened for Earthless at El Club in 2018. While I dug the band’s heavy riffs, the power of Masha’s vocals was captivating. I sadly failed to pay attention (until now) to Masha’s more recent solo material. So, walking in blind, I was extremely intrigued to experience Masha’s solo music at Manchester Underground.

Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground

The Experience

Jonathan Doyle’s concert poster for this show captures a bit of what it was like to hear and see Masha Marjieh and her band live. Jonathan’s image shows a lantern on a road lighting up the night and drawing moths to dance. The compelling and meditative nature of the music drew you in. It was a light in the darkness, drawing you in and holding you close.

Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground
Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground
Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground

Masha (guitar/vocals) was joined by David Vaughn (drums), Noah Eikhoff (bass), Erik Maluchnik (guitar), Adalee and Mina (backing vocals), and the new guy (keyboards – sorry failed to catch his name). Together, they crafted a sublime soundscape that struck me profoundly. I found myself enveloped and transported by the same sonic highway I’ve ridden on the music of Radiohead, The Doves, and David Bowie. To say this performance by Masha Marjieh was transcendent is putting it mildly.

Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground
Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground

Everything Is New

Being unfamiliar with her work, everything was new. Each song, a novel experience. Let me share with you the songs that touched me the greatest at the show. The first is called “Remained The Same”. Minimalistic guitar and drums set the tone as the vocals create a mantra with the words “Have you ever remained the same.” Masha’s poignant vocals fill the room with blue.

The other song that hit me hard was “Medication.” Snappy and melodically inviting, this song paints a portrait of addiction. Masha’s voice is the key. She sounds upbeat, but the story is one of a troubled mind seeing peace they will never find. The most potent lyric sung with a lilting allure “Blasted out your fucking mind..oh oh…oh oh”. That was a powerful counterpoint.

Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground
Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground

New Vinyl

After the show, I immediately went to the merch table to pick up a copy of her albums. The most recent is Past Present Future released in July 2024. The other is called No End and released in November 2023. These albums have been on constant rotation since the show.

Many thanks to the Manchester Underground crew for bringing this fabulous show to town. Hats off to Berkeley for nailing the sound; it was fantastic. Now to find out when I can experience Masha Marjieh’s music again live on the stage.

Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground

Pictures

There are more photos from Masha Marjieh at Manchester Underground in our gallery.

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