Bumbershoot 2011: Kris Orlowski and the Passenger String Quartet

Posted by Tiffany Wan on September 3rd, 2011 at 5:41 PM

/ No Comments

Kris Orlowski & The Passenger String Quartet by Erin Lodi

With its high ceilings and intimate ambiance, the EMP Level 3 stage was the perfect venue for Kris Orlowski and the Passenger String Quartet. A loosely packed crowd avidly watched the stage, where Orlowski and his partners in crime huddled closely together to make beautiful music. For the past year Orlowski has been charming the pants off the Seattle music scene, lighting up the Columbia City Theater, the Fremont Abbey and this year’s Doe Bay Festival with his earnest and endearing brand of folk-pop.

After seeing Orlowski live for the first time myself, it’s apparent why he’s become a local rising star to watch. Aside from being easy on the eyes (much of the hootin’ and hollerin’ between songs conspicuously came from female audience members), his voice and sweetly charismatic stage presence are magnetic. Orlowski sings with a rough, wizened voice that’s also smooth and melodic; put plainly, it’s a bedroom voice with a punch. A friend of mine who was seeing him for the first time quipped dreamily, “He can sing me to sleep anytime he wants.”

It’s always fun to see local acts play a large festival, especially if it’s their first time. “My gosh, we’re at Bumbershoot,” said Orlowski incredulously at the top of his set. “This is crazy.” He paused a moment to take quick snapshot of the audience with his smartphone before diving back into the music. The Passenger String Quartet, who frequently collaborate with Orlowski, added a dramatic but not overly-wrought touch to each song. The arrangements (impressively put together by violinist Andrew Joslyn) were never obtrusive and ranged from sweeping harmonies to subtle string plucks.

Orlowski closed the performance with his self-described “best song” titled “Where You Are.” A slow-burning tune, it was a lovely but underwhelming way to end what had been an energetic set. I can still say with confidence that it was a stellar way to kick off my Bumbershoot 2011 experience.