Why? at The Regent

The members of Why? entered the stage in front of a backdrop splashed with paint to resemble a starry sky. Started as a solo project by frontman Yoni Wolf in 1997, the band formed in Berkeley in 2004 to become the indie/hip-hop mashup it is today. They were flanked by edison bulbs that would turn on and off with spinning coils. It was simple, yet atmospheric and unique. The gang came fresh off the release of their latest album, Moh Lhean, which came out on March 3rd via Joyful Noise Recordings. The record is imbued with a feeling of hopefulness in the aftermath of health scare. Filled for the most part with longtime fans, there was a noticeable rise from the crowd when an older song would play from their eclectic assortment of melodic folk and freeing hip hop. The cool beats of "Elephant Eyelash" invited guests to jam together while "Simeon's Dilemma" and "The Hoof" brought the four members of the band meet up center stage around a single mic for the more folk-focused numbers. All in all, it was a night of satisfaction for fans delighted to see them again after a break between albums.

Photography by Robiee Ziegler