Native Harrow shines for a folk soul Free at Noon

Philly artist Native Harrow captured the hearts and souls of the World Cafe Live crowd during this week’s Free at Noon. Led by vocalist and guitarist Devin Tuel, guitarist and bassist Stephen Harms, the band was rounded out at this show by versatile Philly drummer Joshua Freidman. Active since 2012, Native Harrow debuted with the 2015 LP Ghost and just released their sixth album Divided Kind. A feel-good, pick-me-up set that highlights the band’s introspective storytelling, it also finds them expanding their sonic range beyond the indie folk that gave them their start.

Native Harrow opened up Free at Noon with the fifth track of the new album, “Goin’ Nowhere.” The song’s elegant rhythm was a perfect choice to begin on, immediately drawing the crowd in to Tuel’s vioce and her guitar interplay with Harms. The set continued  “Borrowing Time”, “If I Could” and the title track, and Harms switched between a baritone guitar to bass and even a small keyboard, adding a variety of tones and textures to the show.

Tuel thanked the crowd for showing up, told stories about certain songs — like “I Wanna Thank You,” which she explained is about the kind of love where your partner supports and accepts you through the hard times and the good. The band ended their set with an off-air encore of “Find A Reason.” They return to World Cafe Live on February 15th when they’ll headline the lounge stage; details and information can be found at the XPN Concert Calendar.