The Submarines at SOhO
Indie Pop Duo Delighted Fans on Thursday Night.
![](https://www.independent.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/29/Submarines3.jpg)
In this age of affected synth rock, computerized backing bands, and inaccessibly pretentious scenes, it’s always nice to find a group that likes to smile. On Thursday night, that discovery came in the form of husband-and-wife duo The Submarines. Made up of frontwoman/guitarist Blake Hazard and guitarist/effects whiz John Dragonetti, the pair might best be known for their recent contribution to the commercial world: their single “You, Me, and the Bourgeoisie” has been used in not one, but two spots for Apple’s iPhone. But don’t call The Submarines a one-hit wonder, because as they proved at SOhO, these lovebirds know how to pen a tune-and delight a crowd.
![](https://www.independent.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/29/Submarines1.jpg)
Dressed like a hipster’s version of Cindy Brady, a pigtailed Hazard was the undeniable focal point for those in attendance. From behind her flower-swathed mike stand (think Gwen Stefani’s setup circa No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” era), Hazard grinned, bopped, and coyly belted through a series of tunes off the band’s two albums, Declare a New State! and Honeysuckle Weeks. For the upbeat “Swimming Pool,” Hazard exuded cheeky flirtatiousness, nearly bursting into giggles as she opened each chorus with a powerful “when you kiss me :” For “1940,” the duo channeled something decidedly more sinister, employing minimal guitar and xylophone hooks to create an eerie, almost neo-noir feel to the whole thing.
![](https://www.independent.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/29/Submarines.jpg)
On numbers like “The Thorny Thicket,” the pair again showed off their ability to paint a picture through music, combining jangly tambourine with driving guitar parts, crunching drum loops, and recorded shakers, violins, and bass to make for something that felt like a spastic instrumental circus. Dragonetti took a step away from the computer (and picked up the melodica) for the delightfully stripped-down “Brighter Discontent,” which, like much of The Submarines’ first record, features Hazard singing lyrics from Dragonetti’s point of view.
![](https://www.independent.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/29/Jason-Stare.jpg)
Still, what stood out more than their ability to fashion an entire band out of two members, or their penchant for clever pop-minded songwriting, was the duo’s truly genuine love for performing. By set’s end, surrounded by a surprisingly sparse crowd, the pair seemed as happy as ever to be onstage. And that, especially nowadays, is simply hard to come by.