Miss Fairchild at the Bowery Electric

Growing up in a small town as the son and grandson of preachers, Travis Richard (or "Daddy Wrall") discovered a yearning to command the stage and sing. Teaming in 2004 with two Boston-based friends, producer Samuel Nice (or Sammy Bananas) and arranger Schuyler Dunlap, Travis became the voice of a studio project called Miss Fairchild. A live band was formed around the song and dance man by 2005. Miss Fairchild released its third album in 2013, Show Band.

Miss Fairchild performed a super-slick, almost cabaret-style rhythm and blues show at the Bowery Electric tonight. Richard captured the 1960s soul sound in his vocals and as a charismatic front person was fully committed to the entertainment aspect of the show. Everything clicked together. Joyful pop songs with a funk groove were powered by blue-eyed soul singing, smooth melodies and bubbly arrangements. Richard engaged the audience to sing along to catchy choruses in "Train Wreck" and other tunes. The songs were given greater depth through keyboard leads and sax fills, creating a groove that moved the audience, including Liza Colby of popular local band the Liza Colby Sound, to dance to the rhythms. The set swayed sweetly with a sassy sashay.

Visit Miss Fairchild at www.missfairchild.com.