Lyric Theatre In Downtown Stuart

Music that’s tender and evocative. Lyrics that pierce the heart. And, most, especially, a singer who can take you places you’ve only seen in your dreams. That’s Over the Rhine. Over the Rhine is the name of a bohemian neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, peopled with artists, musicians and those for whom creativity rides front seat shotgun — at all costs. Over the Rhine is also the name of the band fronted by Cincinnati singer/songwriter Linford Detweiler and his wife, vocalist Karin Bergquist. Over the Rhine music puts Bergquist’s soft, mellifluous voice front and center, with moody and densely atmospheric music that’s performed simply — for the most part — on guitar, piano, flute and cello. “If you put too many accessories on an outfit, you ruin it,” says Karen. “It’s trying too hard. So sometimes it’s nice to keep it simple and let it speak for itself.” Linford and Karen tour with a small band, and their performances bring to mind the revered Cowboy Junkies — dark but sweet, melancholy but ultimately hopeful. Musicality is set at a high level. With “The Trumpet Child,” the latest Over the Rhine album, the couple continues their cult-favorite blend of intimate portraits of love and loss, incisive lyrics and sparkling musicianship. Over the Rhine isn’t a household name, but that’s OK with Linford and Karen. “We are able to support ourselves with our music,” says Linford. “We are able to make the records that we choose to make, we are blessed with opportunities to take our music around the world and pass it around, (and) we are surrounded by many good, supportive people. We never want to take any of it for granted. “And yet on the other hand, we want to remain hungry. We want to be open to going deeper. We don’t want to settle. We want to do the work that is required of us, work that will allow us to step more fully into our shoes as songwriters. We want to grow.” “I feel, honestly, that where we are now is great, as long as we continue to have a nice gradual exposure to the public,” Karen adds. “We have a really solid fan base, and we sell out most of the places we play. “If we stepped it up a level or two, I guess we’d roll with it,” she adds. “I don’t really crave that or anything, because I feel like we’ve got what we need.” After 18 years as recording and performing artists, Linford says, the symbiotic relationship he and Karen have with their numerous fans is at a more-than-satisfactory place. “Karin and I do believe we’re still growing as writers,” he says. “We do feel like we’re caught up in something. And if we quit believing that, we’ll come back to the farm and put the guitars in their cases and get on with the rest of our lives. We don’t want to waste anybody’s time. “In the meanwhile, we’re up for what’s next. It’s all happening.”