Song Spotlight: Meernaa's Framed In A Different State (a night at Zebulon)

Meernaa (the moniker for Carly Bond) opened up the night for Shannon Lay's final October residency night at Zebulon. Outside on the patio, the venue was prepped for Halloween. A giant skeleton loomed high above the crowd. This was a subject of conversation when someone in the audience asked a question about what Bond sees when she looks into someone's eyes, "And you'll see it too, flames. You go see that skeleton outside. Bag of bones. And there's flames." 

Meernaa at Zebulon

Based on the setlist, it looks like she used the opportunity to test out new material. One of her backup singers was so impressed with the songs that she started to clap with the audience at the end of one. She got an amused side eye from her fellow backup singer and they shared a laugh. 

The new music required a lot of guitar tuning adjustments on Bond's part, which allowed plenty of time for conversations with the audience. When she mentioned how cool Shannon Lay is (they recently collaborated on a song called "Flowers"), someone in the audience responded with a, "So are you!" With a touch of modesty, she responded by saying, "The lone voice in the dark." 

Meernaa at Zebulon

She did have an obsession with the skeleton on the patio, but admitted that her Halloween activity would likely be a quiet one watching Robert De Niro in the 1994 movie Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Though this is being posted way after Halloween, my recommendation would have been to watch Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein (2025). 

Along with her two backup singers, Bond was also joined by a keyboardist an drummer. I will say it was an interesting setup. Meerna was not center stage, but was on stage right. The two backups were stage left along with the drummer. The keyboardist was behind her. The songs were in the singer-songwriter vain. "Cherry Blossom" did stand apart from the rest of the set as an alternative rock anthem. 

Meernaa at Zebulon

The song spotlight goes to "Framed In A Different State." The song is from her 2023 sophomore album So Far So Good. A song about sticking with someone as the seasons change.

I see your colors changing
I’d sure like to stay as long as you’d have me
Though I know nothing ever stays the same

Setlist: Drunk Dove, Framed In A Different State, Sorry, BHM, Cherry Blossom, Haven't I, Wild Horses.