Daughter and Choir of Young Believers @ Kung Fu Necktie.

Text and images by Grace Dickinson.

Letting out a small giggle between each song, it would’ve been hard not to love Elena Tonra after seeing Daughter play at Kung Fu Necktie this past Tuesday. Aside from the lead singer’s powerful vocals, Tonra emitted a humble happiness that automatically made the audience want to smile too.

“Since we’re here, we should probably have a Philly cheesesteak,” Tonra said quietly, her arms tight by her side with the microphone meeting her grin.  “We had one last time we were here. It was good.”

Guitarist Igor Haefeli remarked that the cheesesteak venture was back during one of their first trips to play in the U.S.

Daughter, based in London, originated as solo act from Tonra, who met Haefeli in a songwriting course at a North London music school. After playing guitar at her request during one of her gigs, Haefeli – who is now also Tonra’s boyfriend (sorry dudes), became a permanent member. They created their first EP together, His Young Heart, in 2011.

“You’re going to see a lot of tuning tonight,” said Haefeli after opening with one of Daughter’s new singles, “Run.” “Our instruments seemed not to have survived the plane ride too well.”

Haefeli remarked that the only guitar to stay in tune was the sparkly silver one, which he and Tonra both intermittently used throughout the show (“Probably because of its sparkles,” he said).

Daughter eventually added Remi Aguilella, current drummer, to the band, who set a striking, but not overpowering rhythm, often utilizing cloth-wrapped sticks and drum brushes. It was clear that not one of the three members took any of the crowds’ applause for granted. Twice during the show, Tonra raised her beer to give a modest cheers to the crowd, whom appeared entirely appreciative to be there.

Daughter cozily packed KFN’s intimate space, sparking the crowd to join in the singing when they broke out their hit, “Youth,” midway through the show. Off their latest EP, The Wild Youth, released in the U.S. in March, the track gives way to the relatableness of Daughter’s lyrics of love and growing up. Singing about being reckless, “chasing visions of our futures,” and the luck of being in love because “most of us are bitter over someone,” Tonra speaks of feelings in which nearly every 20-something could relate.

The 22-year-old herself has a beautifully powerful voice that almost resembles Florence Welch of Florence and the Machines, but with a softer side that makes this power also feel gentle.

Many have compared her to Enya, which can be detected in Daughter’s live performance with the distinct pedal effects that are often used to carry Tonra’s voice.

Opening for Daughters was Copenhagen’s Choir of Young Believers. The band is the brainchild of writer and guitarist Jannis Noya Makrigiannis, who pairs his crisp voice with heavy electric guitar, softened by cello and a keyboard that’s often utilized without any of its electric features. There’s also the drummer who could be found frequently breaking set to establish a softer feel with enthusiastic morocco shaking. With vocals like James Taylor, it’s not hard to see why Makrigiannis’ Choir of Young Believers has become a well-known name back in his country of Denmark.

Local singer/songwriter Lucy Stone also performed.

As for Daughter, expect a full-length album to be released this year. Next up they head to New York City for three consecutive shows, alongside the 1,000 plus other artists who will be playing at this year’s CMJ festival.