Filmed Locally - 10 May 2024

Violinist Records Song at Howe Caverns

By Bradley Towle

HOWES CAVE — Canadian violinist Sarah Neufeld is likely best known for her work with Arcade Fire, contributing to many of the indie rock band’s biggest albums, including 2007’s “Neon Bible” and 2010’s “The Suburbs.” Neufeld took a break from Arcade Fire in 2013 to record her first solo album, “Hero Brother.” The album consists of haunting original instrumental compositions, showcasing Neufeld’s talents as a songwriter and musician, elements sometimes obscured by Arcade Fire’s massive sound. 

Neufeld headed to Howe Caverns to record her song “Tower” for the album. The famous Schoharie County show cave also provided the backdrop for the song’s video and the album cover for “Hero Brother.” Video director and photographer Tracy Maurice had worked with Neufeld before while creating artwork for Arcade Fire records and a video for the band’s “Black Mirror.” Maurice spoke with BrooklynVegan in 2013 about the project. “The textures/feeling of the cave really complimented the sound,” said Maurice. “[T]he haunting echos/vocals, oscillating between ambient and raw energy…something both powerful and vulnerable that I love about her work.” 

Howe Caverns, as portrayed in the music video for “Tower,” looks less like an oft-visited tourist attraction and more like an untouched, forgotten place inhabited by ghosts. The notes from Neufeld’s violin seem to dance around the caverns as she plays off of the natural acoustics of the location. At the same time, Maurice’s camera explores the various textures and shadows of the underground world. Sarah Neufeld’s video for “Tower” is available on YouTube and Vimeo (Vimeo tends to have higher quality video).