Pillars & Tongues | Photo by Emily Cross

I am slowly becoming a sucker for harmoniums. Seriously. Hypnotic folk pop quartet Pillars and Tongues have made this droning instrument the centerpiece of a number of their songs and with good reason.

“Thank You Oaky” is methodically slow and relies heavily on atmosphere. Lead singer Mark Trecka’s low vocals interwine nicely those of violinist Beth Remis. The dueling chanting vocals follow a steady, almost madness-inducing rhythm as Trecka fills the space between with the church organ-like sounds of the harmonium. Remis follows suit with stressed strings. Listen right here: Pillars and Tongues – “Thank You Oaky”

Pillars and Tongues’ new album The Pass & Crossings is available now on both CD and vinyl via the Empty Cellar label.

The band is promoting the record with two solid months of touring in September and October. But if you need a Pillars and Tongues fix before the fall, the group will play the Empty Bottle on Tuesday, July 12.