Lithium Magazine

By Anthony Marcusa
Photo by Nicole Ashley

http://www.fandmtheband.com/

Every so often at a live concert, much to the delight of the audience, a group’s power and presence add to the sound in a way that doesn’t come across on an album. F&M, the thoughtful and earnest Canadiana group from Edmonton reached those heights at an intimate show at The Supermarket, August 31.

Ryan and Becky Anderson, the husband-and-wife core of F&M, were joined on stage and on tour by the versatile Bryan Reichert (occasionally referred to as the ampersand), and began the set with a re-imagined version of “Amsterdam”, a powerful song that has been reworked for the trio of F&M.

The second tune, “I Pray for Fog,” was also a song that the group saw change over the years, with the trio version in perfect balance as if the threesome had been playing together for years and years.

While always harmonious, it was Becky who was often the star of the show. Moving from accordion to piano to acoustic guitar, and back again, she displayed her obvious talents as a musician, commanding attention at centre stage. Her beautiful yet strong voice matched her instrumental skill, occasionally hitting notes reminiscent of the talented Sarah Slean, particularly when singing behind the piano on “Serenade,” a simple yet beautifully sad piece.

“She’s a powerhouse,” said Ryan after the show. “Sometimes she holds back a bit, but sooner or later she is going to fully realize it.”

Ryan certainly made the audience feel the music as well, with “This Winter, Revisted,” filling the room with December air. The trio has no problem being powerful and in control, filling the room with a harmonious and captivating sound that doesn’t often come from a group lacking drums and electric guitars. Ryan offered up a song he dubbed as “the quietly punk rock song in Canada,” and closed with a cover of a soon-to-be popular hockey song that will make its way to television.

Their albums are beautifully arranged and each of their four releases are worth a listen, even as the band has evolved. In person, however, F&M lack no reservations, physically and emotionally letting themselves escape into their very meaningful songs about love, sadness, and traveling the Canadian landscape.