Cass McCombs is respected far and wide but shows little interest in celebrity. Save an interview here and there across the 20-plus years he’s been releasing material, he’s kept his private life mostly to himself.

But as veterans of the local music scene know — and as has been brought to light in articles over the years — Charm City served as an important stop on McCombs’ journey.

The Northern California native spent the end of the last century and the start of this one in New York City, but is said to have moved to Maryland the same year he released his first full studio record, 2003’s A.

This lasting connection seemingly makes any date in Baltimore a special occasion for him, and the 46-year-old and his current touring band recently visited Ottobar to connect with longtime fans and present an awesome set of music pulled mostly from his early recordings and featuring additional favorites, too.