RECAP: Girl Love @ Mount Ida Preservation Hall, 2/10/2025

Words and Photography by Niki Kaos.

I’ve been following Girl Love for a few years now, and enjoyed a delightful interview with her for RRX in November 2023. What draws me in is the familiar comfort in her lyrics and songs. They invite you to cozy up and enjoy a story or two about the sweet simplicity of life and love. And her musical arrangements are accessible and creative, striking a balance of familiar, but not boring.

I had the pleasure of attending a live recording of her next album at the Luna Series, which has been curating an intimate, candle-lit singer-songwriter experience on the full moon at Mount Ida Preservation Hall in Troy, for a little over a year now. There was a full and attentive crowd as the lights were dimmed, and Girl Love took the stage.

The room in a hush, Girl Love’s lilting voice pierced the still air of the repurposed church hall on the opening song, “Smoked.” She engaged with the audience between songs, mentioning how happy she was to reclaim this religious space. A champion for the LGBTQA+ community, a portion of the proceeds from the show will be shared with the Trans Youth Equality Foundation. There was an angelic atmosphere in the hall as the sweet strands of vocals and guitar combined.

Some special guests joined during the night. Girl Love has some friends from college, and they sure can sing! We were first introduced to Chelsea, who was a college friend turned sister-in-law. An endearing story was told as she joined for “Faces and Places.” The harmonies were at perfection and it felt as if we were listening in to old friends around a campfire.

For the next two songs, “Farm & Table” and “Blood Red Sunsets,” she invited a second college friend and future family member, Katie, on stage. The familiar ease with which the trio’s voices intertwined is something only years of singing together can bring. Girl Love proudly bragged about the accomplishments and talents of her dear sisters in song, and the harmonies contributed to the album will no doubt be treasured by future listeners.

Girl Love also wants to draw the audience in – and she skillfully does so with inviting us to sing on “Honeybee,” a romper of a song with my favorite lyric of the night: “She’s got a lot of sting for a honeybee.” The refrain for the audience is “You and me, honeybee” and we all join in enthusiastically. This song is buzz-worthy!

The last song of the night, “Stonewall,” featured another dear friend – Sawyer Fredericks. There was foot-stomping audience participation and another round of harmony bliss. Sawyer also knows a thing or two about playing guitar, so his accompaniment fit seamlessly with the song. I’m reminded again of the quality of writing and arrangements Girl Love achieves with her work, and I’m glad I didn’t miss this incredible show.

Playing through her catalogue of songs from the college days to newly recorded material, there is a wide range of emotions – much of the lyrics are sentimental, sometimes romantic, sometimes describing the human condition. It’s a storyteller’s vibe, and one that authentically connects with the listener. I can’t wait to hear the album! Be sure to follow Girl Love on her socials to give it a listen when it comes out!

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