As the newly summer rain banged across the Lower East Side pavement there was a sense of excitement as I approached the famed Gallery Bar. Party Goers dressed in all black flooded the nearby streets directing me to exactly where I needed to be. Closer and closer I can hear the thumps of Rock & Roll with a mixture of a hefty social gathering. The security guards checked me in and as I entered the venue I was greeted with the blaring sounds of Marilyn Manson’s “Beautiful People”. Immediately a photographer instructed me to stand and pose by the 6-6-2013 step and repeat littered with up side down crosses. Smiling with one hand on my hip I giggled because I was receiving some celebrity type treatment. However, it did not take long to realize precisely where all of the attention of the room was directed. Slipping through the crowd I witnessed a small young woman in all black swinging her long locks to the music, next to her was a tall young man equally as dashing smiling down on her as the crowd watched in cheerfulness. There they were, N. Catherine Ford and Andrew Kendris together they make N. Catherine ; the dynamic duo whose presence is unmistakable and musicality has been praised by fellow music lovers. Hearing about their event via social media with no formal invite I felt a bit out of place until fellow guests began to strike up conversation over cake pops, pizza, cookies and an assortment of alcoholic beverages. As I mingled and settled in I was startled by a “Hello, hello? Everyone please quiet down we will be premiering our video now” N. Catherine Ford spoke lightly with enthusiasm as Andrew took his place by his electric keyboard.
The projector blinked quickly until the main event entitled “Bed Of Roses” played silently as the duo N. Catherine played along with the video in reverse lip sync. The crowd went completely wild as they screamed for an encore I nearly spilled my beverage. Before I could compose myself I looked up at the projector as Andrew brought in a poppy tune. Strippers, Hollywood and a world of Tom Petty’s “Free Falling” flashed on the screen as they delivered another catchy song entitled “LA”. Then again . . . ANOTHER ENCORE, N. Catherine Ford bowed her head in merriment as she cued “Delicate”, a somber piece, driven by emotion and piano that left a great portion of the crowd in tears. This signaled the ending of the event as the crowd congratulated the duo. Both rising acts shock hands and handed out embraces, as I spoke to them one thing I noticed was that though these two youngsters were draped in black and appeared as the poster children of adolescent despair, they are actually upbeat and pleasant people that deserved the grand out come they received that night. As the room cleared of bloggers, writers, music industry execs and close friends I grabbed a few cake pops and went my merry way pleased to know that I have just witnessed something beyond my imagination. I have no doubt in mind that I will be hearing about this duo in the very near future.
Words : Marina Walker
Photographer: Andrew Espinal