When one thinks of meccas of Americana music, places such as
Nashville, Austin and maybe even St. Louis come to mind. But
Cincinnati? With their latest double album, Ohio, Over the
Rhine are hoping to change that.

The group began making music about ten years ago, when members
Karin Bergquist and Lindford Detweiler met in college in Canton,
Ohio. Both grew up in southern Ohio, where coal mining was still
the main source of income. It is an area of pillage and desolation,
ravaged by the lumbering machines that troll the soil for the
priceless mineral.

It should come as no surprise that the music of the band has
this feel of sparseness and melancholy in the underlying tones. The
two eventually found themselves in the Cincinnati neighborhood
Over-the-Rhine, which gave the group its name. Since those days,
Over the Rhine has been impressing fans all over the world, finding
a surprising following in Europe.

Through the pianos, guitars, drums and organs that create the
pastoral accompaniment for the group, the voice of Karin Bergquist
is still the most powerful weapon in the arsenal. There is a simple
humility in it that slowly envelops the listener until the outside
world is invisible, and only the music matters. It is haunting, but
not scary; warm, but not cheerful; powerful, but not intense. In
some small way, it is the voice of home, wherever that may be.

The other half of the group, Lindford Detweiler is the silent
partner of the group. Letting Bergquist handle the lead vocals for
the group, Detweiler’s major contribution is the artful combination
of so many different instruments into an arrangement that feels so
small and bare. At the same time, there is not a time when an
instrument is overused or does not add to the overall feel of the
song. It is all in the subtlety.

This group is not for everyone. Most of the songs are down tempo
and chilled, like a darker Sheryl Crow. Still, for those with a
hint of m?lange in the heart and a Midwestern sense of desperation,
Over the Rhine might be answer you have been looking for for so
long. The group will come this Saturday to the Duck Room of
Blueberry Hill to find even more fans of their style of music.
Tickets are $12 in advance, and $14 on the day of the show.