R Bar Show Review
We had what was essentially an open rehearsal at R Bar last night and it’s one of those times where I’m getting good feedback from the people that were there but I honestly don’t know how we did. The arrangement was me on acoustic, Noah Lebenzon on electric guitar and pedals, Paul Brill on laptop and vocals and Eliza Benitez on backing vocals. This was the first time we ever played with Eliza and she did an admirable job.
The setlist was:
1. Broken Bow
2. Dirty White Coats
3. Don’t Look Away
4. St. Marys
5. Hold My Heartache
6. If You See Something
7. There Is A Light
8. Natural Beauty
My favorites wwere Broken Bow as usual, St. Marys and the last part of Natural Beauty. St. Marys was really stripped down and kind of lonely and not nearly as bombastic as the studio version. In fact, not bombastic at all. Just kind of angular and sparse. There Is A Light is the song I just wrote for my grandpa. I like it pretty well. It’s kind of traditional sounding. Natural Beauty is a tune off the first Lipstik record, requested by a longtime fan and friend. Towards the end it kind of devolves into an Irish drinking song or something and there’s lots of “lie-die-da-die-die-dies” etc. and you can imagine yourself with a pint or a stein and Jimmy McNulty at Kavanaugh’s or something.
After the show I took Noah and Paul out for dinner at this Mexican place (in lieu of payment) and we sat and talked and then we stood out on the sidewalk and talked and Noah and Paul were arguing about whether LA or New York have a better and more vibrant music scene. I think we know the answer to that one.
All in all a good night. It’s always nice and weird to play a gig where the stage has two stripper poles welded into it. That’s, I suppose, the experience of playing New York clubs. It takes a village. Or something.
July 6th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Indeed, the question answers itself. Why would anyone rather perform music in New York over Los Angeles? Only if cramped spaces, the tyranny of tradition and you like hauling equipment in cabs to unappealing venues. There is another way friends!!
July 6th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Touche. The argument was not about where its more desirable to perform but
about from where more vital music is emanating. It's hard to argue that
Brooklyn and New York are producing more essential artists than Los Angeles
at this point but maybe I'm not as up to speed on what's going on in LA. I
can think of the Dodos and No Age. But Brooklyn and NYC have virtually
everybody else. But I don't have a dog in this particular fight to be
honest. Wherever I can play with great people and enjoy myself is where
I'll be happy.
July 6th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Indeed, the question answers itself. Why would anyone rather perform music in New York over Los Angeles? Only if cramped spaces, the tyranny of tradition and you like hauling equipment in cabs to unappealing venues. There is another way friends!!
July 6th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Touche. The argument was not about where its more desirable to perform but
about from where more vital music is emanating. It's hard to argue that
Brooklyn and New York are producing more essential artists than Los Angeles
at this point but maybe I'm not as up to speed on what's going on in LA. I
can think of the Dodos and No Age. But Brooklyn and NYC have virtually
everybody else. But I don't have a dog in this particular fight to be
honest. Wherever I can play with great people and enjoy myself is where
I'll be happy.