Over The Rhine leader Linford Detweiler
is as quiet and mellow as Afghan
Whigs frontman Greg Dulli is brash and
prickly. But Mr. Detweiler says the two
Cincinnati musicians have a lot in
common.
‘‘We’re starting to experience that
Whigs syndrome a little bit,’’ Mr.
Detweiler says from a Dubuque, Iowa,
tour stop, echoing Mr. Dulli’s
complaints about local apathy.
‘There seems to be more of a
freshness and excitement about the
band elsewhere. We sold out two
nights in Seattle; had our biggest
crowd ever in Minneapolis. It’s starting
to spread out more, and the hometown crowd, it’s hard to impress
them.’’
Well, Saturday’s show at the Taft ought to do it. Along with OTR, the
band’s annual holiday homecoming features two opening acts —
Sixpence None the Richer and singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith (7:30
p.m., $14 at the Taft box office and Ticketmaster; 562-4949).
‘‘That’s our one show a year where we really try to be fans for an
evening — bring in people we want a chance to hear and hang out with a
little bit.’’
Nonetheless, the show is not sold out, even as the Cincinnati-based
band’s national profile continues to rise. On Feb. 27, OTR will release a
new studio album on Backporch/Virgin. Some of that material will be
debuted Saturday.
The group will feature Mr. Detweiler on keyboards and his wife, Karin
Bergquist, on vocals and guitar. Jack Henderson continues on guitar
and lap steel. Terri Templeton returns on vocals; the rhythm section will
be bassist Wade Jaynes and Sixpence drummer Dale Baker.
Like Mr. Dulli did years ago, Mr. Detweiler is considering relocating, with
Nashville and Toronto topping the list. ‘‘We tend to get a bit more
inspired when we go over the horizon,’’ he says.
For now, he’s looking forward to returning the couple’s home in
Norwood.
He promises some surprises Saturday, including something that will be
a surprise even to him. ‘‘Karin’s got one tucked up her sleeve that she’s
not telling anyone about,’’ he says.