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Mitski amazes a sold-out crowd at 9:30 Club on Nov. 16, 2018. (Photo by David LaMason)
Mitski Miyawaki, who performs simply as Mitski, is that rare artist who writes songs that are both musically complex and creates an emotional sympatico between herself and her audience. That skill was on display in her show at 9:30 Club on Friday, the first of two sold-out nights.
Bob Weir and Wolf Bros rock a sold out Warner Theatre on Nov. 12, 2018. (Photo by David LaMason)
Over the summer, Bob Weir, most famous as a founding member of the Grateful Dead, formed a new trio with legendary musician and producer Don Was on upright bass and former Primus drummer Jay Lane on drums. Over the trio’s inaugural tour, Bob Weir and Wolf Bros have been playing a mix of Grateful Dead tunes covers, and a few newer songs. And on a messy, rainy Monday, Bob and company brought a healthy dose of sun to the Warner Theatre.
The Tallest Man On Earth amazes at the Lincoln Theater on Nov. 9, 2018. (Photo by David LaMason)
Kristian Matsson, who goes by the stage name The Tallest Man On Earth, has been creating and performing for more than 10 years. He’s been compared at times to Bob Dylan, but beyond the folk veneer is a growing body of work that is expanding both lyrically and musically. He explored that exceptional at the Lincoln Theatre on Friday.
Of Montreal thrills a packed Ottobar on Oct. 24, 2018. (Photo by David LaMason)
Of Montreal, the band fronted by the charismatic and wildly creative Kevin Barnes, has been going strong through various permutations for more than 20 years. The Athens, Georgia-born band has released 15 full length albums (not including EPs and singles) — during that time, they’ve experimented with styles (straight ahead pop à la Beatles to country tinged Americana to dance).
Although the songwriting is brilliant and the songs tough to get out of your head, the band’s live show (and by “show” I mean it in the most literal sense) has come to be Of Montreal’s signature, and that show arrived at Ottobar on Oct. 24.
Mountain Man performs at the Historic Sixth & I Synagogue on Oct. 22, 2018. (Photo by David LaMason)
Six years between tours and eight between albums seems like a long time, but for the North Carolina-based Mountain Man, it certainly doesn’t sound like years apart on their second full-length LP, Magic Ship (Nonesuch / Bella Union). Part of that reason is that recipe of rhythm and harmony that Amelia Meath, Alexandra Sauser-Monnig, and Molly Sarlé each add to the pot. Part traditional Appalachian folk songs and part post-modern Americana, the music created by this trio was both pleasant and off-center, an often transcendent stew that was totally engrossing at Sixth & I on Monday.
Blitzen Trapper celebrates the 10th anniversary of Furr at the Rock and Roll Hotel on Oct. 5, 2018. (Photo by David LaMason)
Blitzen Trapper, the five piece from Portland, Oregon, has been going strong for well over 15 years now, but it’s their 2008 album, Furr, where most fans got their start with its experimental Americana and vivid lyrical imagery. Blizten Trapper celebrated the 10th anniversary of that album at Rock and Roll Hotel on Friday.
Arthur Buck tears it up at the Rock and Roll Hotel on Sept. 21, 2018. (Photo by David LaMason)
As the story goes, Joseph Arthur and Peter Buck (REM, Filthy Friends, The Minus 5) met up through a mutual friend in Mexico and put together what would become the new debut for their new project, Arthur Buck — but if you think about it, this was something preordained for some time. For years, the two have traveled in similar circles, Joseph even opened for R.E.M. back in the early 2000s. They melded together in their love for rock ‘n’ roll at Rock and Roll Hotel on Friday.
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