On Saturday, September 19, Westville’s McGurk family opened their spacious lawn for a backyard concert presented by the local organizers Me and the Other Moms. The event showcased two Oregon‑based folk ensembles, The Hackles and Horse Feathers, drawing a crowd of neighbors, friends, and families who gathered with lawn chairs and beers to enjoy an up‑close musical evening.

Intimate Folk Sound in a Neighborhood Setting

Horse Feathers delivered a warm, full‑bodied set that highlighted the chemistry among its members. Violinists Halli Anderson and Nate Crockett played in sync, while cellist‑bassist Luke Ydstie provided a rich backbone. Lead singer Justin Ringle’s earnest tenor gave the lyrics an emotional depth that resonated with the audience. The Hackles, whose members are married to several of the Horse Feathers musicians, added their own flavor, creating a seamless blend of voices and strings.

Highlights included the raucous “Belly of June,” which saw the band stand up and bring out a prominent bass line, and the upbeat “Born in Love,” punctuated by hand claps and tambourine shakes. Even the darker numbers, such as “The Drought” and “Heathen’s Kiss,” retained a lively bounce that kept the crowd engaged.

Family‑Friendly Atmosphere

While adults explored the emotional terrain of the songs, the McGurk lawn became a playground for children. Sugar‑driven youngsters ran, somersaulted, and staged imaginative games of “Rebels vs. Civilization” beneath the glowing string lights. Their exuberant play added a joyful contrast to the intimate music, illustrating how a single backyard can host both reflective listening and lively family fun.

Concertgoer Tony Corso, a well‑known local figure who also works as a professional Santa, described the experience as “beautiful” and nearly moving him to tears. He praised the organizers, Dan and Julie McGurk, for curating an event that balanced artistic quality with a welcoming community vibe.

Community Connection

The concert underscored the value of local, family‑oriented events that strengthen neighborhood bonds. With musicians only ten minutes from one another and the audience seated just a few feet from the stage, the performance felt personal and inclusive. Attendees left with a sense of shared experience, and many called for the bands to return.

For those interested in exploring more of The Hackles and Horse Feathers, their websites are thehacklesmusic.com and horsefeatherstheband.com.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.