Jon Patrick
Wild Moccasins opened the night with their jangly, sing-songy pop, and like always, I missed them because I am a total dick. I will see you kids play one of these days I swear it! (For the record, I’ve seen them in the past and it was fun).
The next group up was a local favorite of mine, Listen Listen. After sound check and beverage check for front man Ben G, the indie folk onslaught embarked on its aural assault…haha. One of the nicest things about this band is they have the right instrument for everything…a nice sounding acoustic, vintage electric piano, I could go on but you get the point. The wind was gently blowing as their songs seemed to weave in and out of each other like a patchwork of aesthetic sensibility. The entire set swirled around the audience, built up to a crescendo, and then gently subsided…the bonfire was lit, and Peter and the Wolf were slated to play next.
Though the band had been going through a secret stash of backstage Vodka and technical problems abounded, when they pulled together to get their songs going they were energetic and entertaining. Inducing the audience to dance along with the rollercoaster ride of a set, Red Hunter jumped in and out of the crowd plucking an assortment of electrical lamellophones, adding an air of childlike whimsy to his already twee composition.
Finally, we gathered around the stage to hear local folk stylists Sew What. I’ve been seeing Rachel play here and there for about a year now, Cory too. This however, was my reintroduction to Sew What with them playing together, and it was a beautiful experience. The wind picked up and started blowing the tarp around until a kind gentleman of superior stature held it back throughout the entire set (it was totally worth it). Rachel’s voice sounded mature, purposeful, and sweet. Cory’s accompaniment on various stringed things and vocals was tasteful and debonair …and I would stand in the cold anytime to see these kids do their thing.
photos by Richard Ramirez II
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