It’s been close to a year since Dawes’ debut LP, North Hills, hit shelves and thrust the band into the heart of the indie/Americana/nu-folk scene. Since, singer and guitarist Taylor Goldsmith has fraternized with John McCauley of Deer Tick and Matthew Vasquez of Delta Spirit in MG&V (unofficially known as Monsters of Fuck), and led Dawes- consisting also of Wylie Gelber, Alex Casnoff and younger Goldsmith brother Griffin-through tour, several Daytrotter.com gigs and a recent performance on The Late Show With Craig Ferguson.

On Thursday July 8, the band graced New York with a free show on Pier 41 hosted by Hudson River Park’s River Rocks. The younger Goldsmith kicked off from behind his drum set, singing lead vocals through the verses of new composition “How Far We’ve Come,” a soulful pop tune that hinted at how far Dawes has come. The three-part harmonies have become more elaborate and the interaction between guitar and keys has grown playfully interactive. After “Bedside Manner” and “My Girl To Me,” Taylor Goldsmith plucked his Telecaster through “Love Is All I Am,” a ballad favorite that two-thirds in turned rock anthem.

Fittingly, rays of the setting sun then flickered through the stage’s back draperies and now things started to get interesting. “Fire Away,” another new piece, found Dawes at their absolute best. Here, Goldsmith became a soulful Bruce Springsteen, yowling at the top of his lungs while unfolding a rocking love song that then went straight into North Hills opener “That Western Skyline.”

“If I Wanted Someone,” another new tune, saw Dawes flex its sonic muscles in a darker way, chorus starting “If I wanted someone to clean me up, I’d get myself a maid.” “When My Time Comes” and “Peace in the Valley” Closed the set as the sun disappeared behind the Hudson.

The gig at Pier 41 promised a lot in anticipation for a second album. In their new songs, Dawes grew a few sizes-especially “Fire Away.” And although Brooklyn-based Phosphorescent was to play, a lot of people seemed satisfied having seen Dawes and filed for the exit.