Moving Mountains - The Cascade

Here’s the performance, shot at the APK Studios loft in Brooklyn, that made me fall in love with Moving Mountains. If you compare this live version to the version of “The Cascade” that appears on Waves, it’s clear that there’s a lot missing besides the swelling string sections—the singer’s vocals on this live take aren’t nearly as strong as they are on the studio version, for one. He’s unable to hit the high notes on the bridge, and sustaining other notes seems to be a bit more than he can handle while playing guitar at the same time. The backing vocalist’s parts are almost inaudible, perhaps due to a too-low fader on the soundboard, or maybe he just can’t sing very loud (which is easily hidden in the studio but much harder to disguise in a live environment). Regardless, this version still has a really powerful effect for me, just because of how heartfelt it obviously is. What Moving Mountains are unable to replicate from their studio sound in a live environment is more than made up for by their passionate onstage delivery. I didn’t go to that Conditions show that I was writing up when I first heard of these guys, but I can assure you that the next time they play Richmond, I will be front and center. I’d be a fool to miss this twice.

P.S.—Here is the other song from this live session: “Always Only For Me.”