Exchange of Energy: A Review of Mill Pond Falls

“There’s great music everywhere. It just depends on what you want to tap into,” says Joe McMahon. Last night, we tapped into his band, Mill Pond Falls, of which he is the lead vocalist and guitarist. The band certainly embodies his sentiment, with influences ranging from Black Sabbath to Neil Young to Guided by Voices that combine to create a distinctly indie rock sound. Although the band’s presence and sound on stage is upbeat and energetic, McMahon reins in the uproar that is so characteristic of rock and roll with his breezy melodies and an unwaveringly calm voice. Mill Pond Falls is exceptionally talented at building tension and intense feeling. Often, McMahon alone will begin a song on his Epiphone, one man strumming on his guitar and singing to you from the bottom of his heart. Then, suddenly, the whole band will come in, perfectly in sync, as the sound crashes into the room and into your chest. Together, they carry each song to its climactic end.

Though Mill Pond Falls sells out shows and fills rooms with their powerful sound, each band member is an accomplished musician in his own right. In other words, this is a band of legends. Backing McMahon is bassist Ed Valauskas, who runs Cambridge’s legendary Q Division Studios, and lead guitarist Eric “Rice” Edmonston, who also plays in a band called Stars Like Ours. The band is rounded out by Chris Coughlin on keys and Max Toste on drums. However, Mill Pond Falls is not only bound together by their musical talent, but also by their decades of friendship. All having known each other for some thirty years, Edmonston describes how “There’s a relationship there that goes beyond just four guys hanging out.” 

In fact, Mill Pond Falls loves jamming together so much that they will often play shows just as an excuse to spend time together. Edmonston remembers one show they recently booked at a small dive bar in Allston, and although the venue could only fit 25 people, it was an electrifying experience as they played into the night. “I like those nights when it’s surprising. You had no expectations. We just took the gig because we wanted to play with each other,” he recalls.

That friendship lends itself to their incredible chemistry on stage. Although Edmonston and Valauskas stand on opposite sides of the stage, their connection shows itself through their synchronized body movements and eye contact. The two frequently twist or collapse their bodies inward at just the same time, allowing the crescendos and breaks to fully take control of them. Often, Edmonston will turn around 180º to face his amp, contort himself so his guitar is almost on the ground, or rock his head back and forth as though the music is entirely within him. Looking to the right, the music has the same effect on Valauskas, who is moving left and right, up and down, wherever the music takes him.

It’s clear that Mill Pond Falls is exactly where they need to be. “Since I was a little kid, that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do,” McMahon tells us. “We’re still doing it after all these years because we frickin’ love it!” It’s not hard to understand why, either. As Edmonston explains, “I don’t know if there’s anything else where you can actively express yourself and, at the same time, share that experience with other people who are also expressing themselves. That exchange of energy — there’s literally nothing like it in life existence.” Indeed, Mill Pond Falls’ dynamic energy on stage transfers to the audience, who will keep it with them for days to come.

The Burren, 5/23/24