Next month, Andrew Penner and Michael “Rosie” Rosenthal bring their band, Sunparlour Players, to Avening Hall to kick off their cross-country CD-release tour for their latest album, “The Living Proof.” No strangers to this community, it will be the duo’s third time at Avening since forming in 2007 (they have also played at The New Farm). Earlier this week, the Echo caught up with Andrew to find out what’s been going on since he and Avening first met.
Do you play many small halls?
If we’re lucky! We’ve learned through touring since 2007 that we need to switch up where we play – like playing barns or theatres or rock clubs. If you were to play any one all the time, it gets boring. It’s nice to switch it up creatively – it makes you think differently. The last time we toured, we put two house concerts in the midst of it.
What do you like about Avening Hall?
Lots – from the really beautiful to the absolute crazy. I remember one time looking out at the audience and the band cracking up because it looked like a bunch of crazy people were dancing in that bouncy hall! And that feeling like, “we gave you guys a real excuse to go out tonight!” And that was a really nice feeling.
Who are your influences?
Both of us have a huge affinity for Stevie Wonder, Slayer and Les Baxter, who was basically the twisted version of Laurence Welk.
What famous music duo are you most like?
Ike and Tina, for sure!
If you were an instrument, which one would you be?
I would be a kick drum because it sits there in a room and is incredibly quiet… until you hit it!
What would Rosie be?
I think Rosie would be a snare drum because we’re a band and that works together [with the kick drum]. There’s an energy to him that’s just really infectious. If you’re around him, he lights up stuff!
What does “The Living Proof” mean?
I’ve always felt that it’s about needing to make your own thing. It’s about creating on your own. The album is incredibly playful and the energy to it is really hopeful and bright – and kind of stupid at times and aggressive at other times. It’s about searching for something you haven’t been able to grasp yet.
What is the band living proof of?
The band feels like proof that something to do with hard work and trying to change all the time has kept us together.
Sunparlour Players
Saturday, April 5 at 8pm
Avening Hall
Tickets $20 online or at the Echo
($25 at the door)
www.aveninghall.com