My first experience of The Mallard version 5.0 was at Rock Make this year and I was floored. I have known founding member Greer McGettrick for a while and have followed her musical meanderings since 2006 or so. Not only was I stoked to see her playing with a group that so wholly and completely compliment her melodic sensibilities, but I was also stoked to hear such a cohesive coupling of varying genres and sounds.

The Mallard feels new, vital and free. I watched the crowd, fully engaged, tossed around within the tornado of musical vastness and familiarity, blissed out on harmonies and the concept of endless youthfulness. I, too, was taken – immersed. Needless to say these guys are blowing the eff up, and thank heavens. Here’s to females conquering the scene, creating original sounds and spreading rad vibes – forever and ever amen.

Lynne Angel is 1/3 of the band Tartufi, a co-producer / organizer of the Rock Make Street Festival and a booker and bartender at El Rio.