It's a roots rock extravaganza at the hippest club in town for a bargain basement price. Not only that, but that hip club, Johnny Brenda's, actually lets you know each band's set time... in advance! So come on out Wednesday night for three full sets at 9, 10 and 11 for the low, low price of $12.00.
9:00 - Kicking off the night's festivities is Jason Boesel, the former Rilo Kiley drummer whose husky drawl sits comfortably between a laid back Robert Earl Keen or an amped-up Townes van Zandt. There's a lot of West Texas in this California cowpoke, and this promising debut, Hustler's Son, is full of lightly burnished and slightly bruised alt-country that has enough memorable choruses ("Hand of God", "New World Mama" and "French Kissing", which Boesel should send straight to Tim McGraw) to warrant repeated listens.
10:00 - Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons debut full length, Death Won't Send a Letter, is a perfectly pleasant set of soulful rock and roll that modestly succeeds based on Chisel's strong gruff voice, but too often settles for bland MOR fare. But I'm betting his live show will be more urgent and ultimately more satisfying than what he serves up on record.
11:00 - Headliner Dawes (who are also serving as Jason Boesel's backing band for this tour) are a young Southern California quartet whose slow burning, harmony filled Laurel Canyon take on The Band's earthy magic was one of the best debuts of 2009. There's a bit of Counting Crows angst on songs like "The Western Skyline" and "God Rest My Soul", but with the Crows' melodrama replaced by a placid beauty that takes several listens to really seep in. Fans of Crosby, Stills and Nash, Fleet Foxes and John Prine need to hear these guys.
Three bands, twelve bucks, free parking and the friendly confines of Johnny Brenda's. See you there.
Jason Boesel - "French Kissing"
Jason Boesel - "Hand of God"
Cory Chisel And The Wandering Sons - "Born Again"
Cory Chisel And The Wandering Sons - "So Wrong For Me" (demo)
Dawes - "That Western Skyline"
Dawes - "When My Time Comes"
9:00 - Kicking off the night's festivities is Jason Boesel, the former Rilo Kiley drummer whose husky drawl sits comfortably between a laid back Robert Earl Keen or an amped-up Townes van Zandt. There's a lot of West Texas in this California cowpoke, and this promising debut, Hustler's Son, is full of lightly burnished and slightly bruised alt-country that has enough memorable choruses ("Hand of God", "New World Mama" and "French Kissing", which Boesel should send straight to Tim McGraw) to warrant repeated listens.
10:00 - Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons debut full length, Death Won't Send a Letter, is a perfectly pleasant set of soulful rock and roll that modestly succeeds based on Chisel's strong gruff voice, but too often settles for bland MOR fare. But I'm betting his live show will be more urgent and ultimately more satisfying than what he serves up on record.
11:00 - Headliner Dawes (who are also serving as Jason Boesel's backing band for this tour) are a young Southern California quartet whose slow burning, harmony filled Laurel Canyon take on The Band's earthy magic was one of the best debuts of 2009. There's a bit of Counting Crows angst on songs like "The Western Skyline" and "God Rest My Soul", but with the Crows' melodrama replaced by a placid beauty that takes several listens to really seep in. Fans of Crosby, Stills and Nash, Fleet Foxes and John Prine need to hear these guys.
Three bands, twelve bucks, free parking and the friendly confines of Johnny Brenda's. See you there.
Jason Boesel - "French Kissing"
Jason Boesel - "Hand of God"
Cory Chisel And The Wandering Sons - "Born Again"
Cory Chisel And The Wandering Sons - "So Wrong For Me" (demo)
Dawes - "That Western Skyline"
Dawes - "When My Time Comes"