Vienna’s Jammin’ Java recently hosted a doubleheader of folky singer-songwriter music with Twain and Esther Rose.
Twain is the name under which Mat Davidson releases solo material. Davidson, a native of Franklin County, Virginia (he drove up for the show from Richmond), was formerly the bassist in The Low Anthem. At Jammin’ Java on March 21, Mat didn’t say a lot during his set, for which he apologized for not being “entertaining,” though he did mention being mostly sober and becoming easily drunk with very little alcohol. He opened with “Longing,” and his set also included “In The High of the Morning,” “The Magician,” “Death (or S.F.),” “Vitality,” and “Dear Mexico.” He asked if anyone had a request for a song, and then obliged them, playing both “Little Dog Mind” and “Big Mind.” He finished up with “Solar Pilgrim.”
Alcohol came up again during Esther Rose’s set. She introduced “Ketamine,” a new song, as “examining my relationship with alcohol” and “exploring my relationship with touring.” She added, “I quit drinking, but not touring,” noting that she’s California sober (abstaining from alcohol, but not all drugs). The song specifically mentioned ketamine and benzodiazepines, which I would, based on personal experience, discourage anyone from using without proper medical supervision.
Stream “Ketamine” by Esther Rose on YouTube:
There was a fair amount of new material in Esther’s set, including her closing number, “Want,” which is the title track of her new album that comes out in May.” Before playing one of the songs, she talked about how she likes to watch movies on planes, but tries to avoid anything “too sexy or too scary.” Unfortunately, she recently watched Maria by Callas, which is about the legendary opera singer’s mental decline after her career ended, and shows her giving interviews, in her room, with no one else there. Rose described the film as “fucking terrifying.”
An “elder millennial” originally from Detroit, Esther spent several years living in New Orleans before relocating to her current home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. That Detroit connection led to her singing background vocals on a couple of tracks for Jack White. Earlier in the day, she’d have some trouble with her van, and she conspired with the audience to cheer for her tour manager when he arrived during her set.
Esther started her set with some of her oldest recorded songs, “Wanton Way of Loving” and “Jump Down Baby.” Per a request, she continued with “Friend or Foe.” “Don’t Blame It On the Moon,” she explained, is about gaslighting. She kept it going with “The Game” and dedicated “Money Tree” to anyone who’d switched shifts at work to make it to the show. Her set also included “Chet Baker” and “New Bad.”
Twain and Esther Rose both write great songs, and Esther in particular is dynamic live performer. A decade into her career, I only expect her to go on to bigger success.
Here are some photos of Twain at Jammin’ Java on March 21, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
Here are some photos of Esther Rose performing live at Jammin’ Java on March 21, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
