Growing up in Idaho, Josh Ritter heard the Bob Dylan/Johnny Cash version of “Girl from the North Country” on his parents’ copy of Nashville Skyline and knew he wanted to become a songwriter. Some dreams do come true, because years later, Ritter was named one of the 100 Greatest Living Songwriters by Paste magazine. The folk-leaning singer-songwriter has earned favorable comparisons to Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen and Gillian Welch (or as Mary-Louise Parker says, he “is usually compared to the legends, the ones you have been listening to since you were 15, the ones you love most”), and he’s put out a considerable amount of material on EPs and full-length albums. And, backed by the Royal City Band, Ritter (above, playing “The Curse” for Studio 360) is currently touring in support of his most recent disc, So Runs the World Away, which brings him to Town Hall tomorrow and Thursday and to Music Hall of Williamsburg (with Dawes opening!) on Saturday.
Posts Tagged ‘Dawes’
Three Chances to Spend the Night with Josh Ritter
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010MG and V: Supergroup, SXSW Style
Thursday, March 18th, 2010
Sandwiched between a set by Dawes and one by Delta Spirit, three frontmen—John McCauley (Deer Tick), Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes) and Matt Vasquez (Delta Spirit)—plus Dawes drummer Griffin Goldsmith and Delta Spirit keyboardist Kelly Winrich played live for the very first time under the name MG and V. The vocalists wrote a bunch of material earlier in the year while holed up in Nashville, and they debuted four songs here at the IFC Crossroads House. McCauley, who played bass, sang “Daydreaming” with its fantastic opening line, “Listening to the neighbors having sex.” Vasquez took the next tune. No one said the name of the upbeat song, but it might’ve been called “Some Day.” Taylor sang lead next on “Thanks for Nothing.” And then all three singers traded verses on “Million Dollar Bill.” Good shit. Delta Spirit up next. Stream it here! —R. Zizmor
The Bowery Presents Heads to Austin, Tejas
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
We’re bringing music to the Crossroads House in conjunction with the IFC, above, plus we’ve got our own showcase on Thursday night at Emo’s, below. Don’t be a stranger. Come check us out!
Don’t Miss Dawes the Next Time They’re in Town
Monday, February 22nd, 2010Dawes - The Bowery Ballroom - February 19, 2010
The L.A.-based quartet Dawes played a handful of NYC shows last year, all of them as openers. But on Friday night, serving as headliners, they sold out the venerable Bowery Ballroom. Much has been made of their musical roots and the precociousness of their debut album, North Hills—most often mentioning Americana and alt-country, or comparing their sound to that which has come out of the legendary rock and roll neighborhood Laurel Canyon, comparing their evocative lyrics to those of the Band and comparing their harmonies to those of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Instead, though, let’s just go with this: If Dawes were a van, there’d be a DON’T COME A KNOCKIN’ sticker on the back bumper ’cause this band rocks.
The group is led by its 24-year-old frontman, Taylor Goldsmith, who has serious pipes, dexterous guitar skills and exuberance and stage presence to spare. (Plus, he resembles a beardless Charlie Day.) And although he sings and rips it on guitar, the rest of the band—Wylie Gelber on bass, Griffin Goldmsith (Taylor’s 19-year-old brother) on drums and Alex Casnoff on keys—is just as talented. The show began with a mellow one-two punch of “When You Call My Name” and “Give Me Time” before Taylor happily addressed the crowd: “Last February, we were the first of three bands to play here. And look at us now!”
But something special about this band is how easily they move from a slow song, like the harmonious new tune “So Well” to an upbeat one, like “My Girl to Me,” which really comes to rocking life onstage. Of course, the high point of the night was probably the band’s set closer, the anthem “When My Time Comes,” which inspired the most rousing, fist-pumping sing-along The Bowery Ballroom has seen in quite some time. That moment would have been a fitting end to the show. But this was Friday night in New York City, and the headlining Dawes didn’t disappoint with their two-song encore—a pitch-perfect take on Warren Zevon’s resplendent “Lawyers, Guns and Money” and a dreamy, swirling, jammed-out “Peace in the Valley.” It made for one hell of a Friday night. —R. Zizmor
Photos courtesy of Gregg Greenwood | www.gregggreenwood.com
Dawes: A View
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
Originally, this was intended to be a preview for Dawes, the young L.A.-based band with a terrific debut album, North Hills (complete with tightly written songs, quality harmonies and some good old-fashioned guitar love), and even better live show, headlining The Bowery Ballroom tonight for the very first time—with Corey Chisel & the Wandering Sons and Jason Boesel. But it seems unfair to preview a show that’s already sold out. And a review of tonight’s show is, quite frankly, a bit premature since it hasn’t happened yet. So, instead of a preview or a review, think of this as just a view: Check out Dawes, above, playing the sure-to-get-stuck-in-your-head “When My Time Comes” and, below, covering the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends.” And then you’ll know that the next time Dawes comes to town you shouldn’t be so slow in deciding to get a ticket because, seriously, these guys kick ass.
Deer Tick Ends Tour at The Bowery Ballroom
Monday, July 27th, 2009Deer Tick - The Bowery Ballroom - July 24, 2009
Deer Tick
Deer Tick had been on the road steadily since early June—including more than 20 dates with Dawes—before closing their tour in rowdy style at a sold-out Bowery Ballroom on Friday night. Playing tracks from their debut album, War Elephant, and their follow-up disc, Born on Flag Day, released about a month ago, Deer Tick began the show with a brief drums interlude and then firmly took hold of the audience with two hours of gritty, sweaty rock and roll.
Drummer Dennis Ryan, whose tour beard compared favorably to the Geico Caveman’s, his bassist brother, Chris, and guitarist Andy Tobiassen are talented musicians, but Deer Tick’s heart and soul is clearly John McCauley’s raspy, evocative voice. The frontman was chatty and affable throughout. (And possibly drunk. Although he’s not a haphazard drinker: He kept his beers cool in a koozie all night.) Before going into “Baltimore Blues No. 1,” McCauley said, “I wrote these fucking songs in my bedroom when I was 17 or 18 years old. And there were never this many people there. But if there were, we would’ve had a great time.” Those in the audience happily agreed as they stomped, clapped and sang along to songs like “These Old Shoes” and “Little White Lies,” plus a terrific cover of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Breakdown.”
As the show—and tour—wound down, members of both opening bands, Dawes and These United States, who had been singing along from the side of the stage, joined Deer Tick onstage. The mood was loud and rambunctious, like rolling thunder, as they drank, hugged, danced and took turns trading solos on a ripping version of “La Bamba.” Many young bands’ live performances sound remarkably similar to their recorded work, but Deer Tick’s live show breathed new life into their already-heady stuff, turning earnest music into something dirtier (in a good way). Like the recorded takes were just the beginning, a blueprint to build on. Hopefully they will. They’re off to an awfully good start. —R. Zizmor
My Five: Jay Belin
Friday, June 19th, 2009
(Left to right) 1. Passion Pit 2. Dawes 3. Gentleman Jesse and His Band 4. Crocodiles 5. The Gaslight Anthem
Jay Belin is the talent buyer at Mercury Lounge. Lots of music comes his way, but these are the five CDs he’s listening to the most right now. Read below to see why.
Passion Pit, Manners
Who said being young, dumb and full of cum couldn’t get you anywhere? Well, two of three anyway. The hype machine is in full gear and why not—this record rules hard. I heart these guys and that was before hearing this. Manners only makes it easier. (Passion Pit plays two sold-out shows at The Bowery Ballroom this weekend.)
Dawes, North Hills
My love of this record has confused more than one of my friends, but there is something undeniable about the sincerity and musical ability of these youngbloods from the great state of California. It may not land in my wheelhouse, but these days it’s all I want to hear.
Gentlemen Jesse and His Band, Gentlemen Jesse and His Band
Things can go two ways when you hear a band for the first time at a show. This one obviously fell into the positive end of the spectrum. It’s been said before, but they fill the void left in my soul by the Exploding Hearts tragedy.
Crocodiles, “Summer of Hate”
Falling for a band after hearing one song is as dumb as selling the farm after the first date, but sometimes, if you’re lucky, it all works out in the end. The standout “I Wanna Kill” was built for skinny ties and confused Goths on dance floors across the country. (Crocodiles are playing Mercury Lounge tomorrow night.)
The Gaslight Anthem, The ’59 Sound
If you aren’t obsessed with this record, I’m de-friending you. Sorry for the drama, but seriously, rent a convertible, hit the highway and watch your troubles disappear in the rearview mirror. They’re the best thing to come out of Jersey since the Bouncing Souls (yeah, I went there).
© 2010
