Alison Ponthier Faked Her Own Death
Alison Ponthier, an up-and-coming alternative artist and self-described goody two shoes, has incredible storytelling skills. What first struck me when listening to her EP, Faking My Own Death, was how vividly she painted a scene with her lyrics. Alternative music is by definition hard to pin down, and while Alison is no different, her music most definitely reflects her Texas roots. There’s a particularly nostalgic country sound in Paid For, and Hell is a Crowded Room, in particular, that transports the listener. Her voice may not have the twang of a Carrie Underwood or Miley Cyrus, but it definitely has the heartfelt quality of an early 2000s Taylor Swift. The title track Faking My Own Death may be one of the strongest songs on the EP with a folky sound and catchy bridge.
I had the pleasure of seeing Alison Ponthier open for Lord Hurnon on the rooftop at Pier 17, where she performed Her EP, Faking My Own Death, as well as a few unreleased gems. Unlike many performers, Alison was punctual; as the audience trickled in, they were welcomed by her soft vocals and a cloudy New York skyline. This gorgeous cityscape was in perfect contrast with the western stage design (complete with cactuses and all) and outfits to boot. She was the lady in red, wearing a bold red suit with sparkling lightning bolts on the lapel, a silk button-up, and a bolo tie. Her pigtails looked together while also giving away some of her personality.
I was almost shocked by her lack of ego as she performed. There is a sort of humbleness about her stage presence that is really unique. She was incredibly comfortable, transitioning from playing the keyboard to picking up a guitar seamlessly as the songs transitioned into each other. Her voice felt like a gentle breeze flowing through the crowd, captivating them with some unreleased singles.
Unfortunately, her set ended just as she began to win the audience. She closed with Cowboy, the intro track to Faking My Own Death. This one felt special as Alison introduced it. She dedicated the song to her girlfriend with some heartfelt (bordering on devastatingly beautiful) words. This was the climax of her performance, and as the audience cheered, Alison dived into an incredibly sincere and passionate performance of Cowboy that absolutely trumps the studio version. Maybe, it was the beautiful introduction or the live band, but this song felt magical under the sparkling lights of the city.
While we ended on a high note, I was very conscious of the fact that she seemed to blow through her discography without really letting the audience in on what they were listening to. Nevertheless, she ended with a reintroduction and a promise to see us soon. Indeed, she came back on stage to perform I Lied with Lord Hurnon, but I’m sure we’ll be seeing her again.
Alison Ponthier:
Instagram: @allisonponthier
Youtube: Faking My Own Death
Article by Maelle Eugene, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Lekha Samala, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
