Mike’s Weekly Pick: Langhorne Slim and the Law @ The Soda Bar, Monday July 25, 2011

Ok, I get it. ComicCon is a big deal and is very important to a lot of you. Hell, it looks like fun and I may even go next year. But it’s almost over now and we can get back to focusing on what’s really important: great live music. For my money (and yours) there is no better way to get San Diego back into the swing than by getting down and dirty with Langhorne Slim and the Law at The Soda Bar Monday night. Check out this video for "Cinderella" for just a small taste of what to expect:

Langhorne Slim "Cinderella" from Kemado Records on Vimeo.

Langhorne Slim "Cinderella"

Langhorne Slim is truly a musical treasure. His recordings are some of my favorite folk, singer-songwriter songs anywhere ever. Sweet, smart, endearing and heartbreaking. But do NOT expect to be lulled by a melancholy performance about long lost love, because a LIVE Langhorne Slim performance is the polar opposite of the studio stuff. It will be loud. It will be frenetic. You will uncontrollably break into dance and be infected by the groove. It is a guaranteed great time. And if we're lucky we'll be treated to some new tunes as well, like this one, "Attacking is Alright":

Langhorne Slim & the Law - Attacking is Alright from Live & Breathing on Vimeo.

Be sure to get there early to catch Henry Wolfe, an LA artist who hopefully will make frequent trips back to San Diego. This will absolutley be a barn burning, rip roaring, fantastic night of super high energy music. Just like ComicCon, any visit by Langhorne Slim to San Diego is something to fully immerse yourself in and cherish. Do. Not. Miss.

Langhorne Slim @ M-Theory Music, 2.8.10

I'm about to take off to LA, but wanted to share the videos from last night's in-store performance by Langhorne Slim. This is the full set. I shot some at the Casbah, too, but you'll have to wait for those another time. I was really impressed with the number of people who made it to both performances and I think Langhorne Slim was genuinely happy, so thanks San Diego for representin'

Tonight: Langhorne Slim, April Smith & The Great Picture Show at Casbah

I'm really looking forward to tonight...not only is Langhorne Slim returning to the Casbah (sadly without my buddy Paul on bass), but he's also doing an in-store at M-Theory before the show, and anyone who has ever been to an in-store knows they're always really special. I'm pretty sure I've seen Langhorne Slim every time he's been to San Diego and with the new record out and a bigger band, tonight should be quite excellent.

My friends from Owl & Bear did a great preview at SoundDiego that you can check out here.

Langhorne Slim - "Say Yes" - MuzzleofBees.com from Erik Ljung on Vimeo.

Additionally, April Smith & The Great Picture Show did a Daytrotter session that you can download here.

Langhorne Slim "Restless" Video and MP3

I love me some Langhorne Slim and unfortunately I didn't get to see them when they opened up for Patty Griffin, but hopefully they'll come back around soon. In the meantime, here's a couple links to the video and a free MP3 download of their song "Restless".

Video

MP3

And here's the same song being performed on The Late Show:

Langhorne Slim "Diamonds & Gold"

From Langhorne Slim's May performance at the Casbah. I miss Paul.

Langhorne Slim, Ferraby Lionheart, The Smart Brothers @ Casbah, 5.13.08

I haven't been shy in declaring my fondness of Langhorne Slim & The War Eagles. I love the self-titled album, and the EP from before that, and I really love the band's energy and charisma onstage that guarantees a great performance every time. But there's something more, and I suspect there's something to be said for "discovering" a band organically and for yourself. It's one thing if someone tells you about a band or you read about them somewhere, but if you just happen upon them, or they're opening for someone else on a tour, other than the implicit endorsement by the headliner, it's a feeling of connectedness to a band as they come up. I'm that way with Rocky Votolato (with whom they toured) and I'm sure there are a couple others, but off hand, I can't think of anyone else. With that, I was stoked they were finally on their own headlining tour and were coming back to San Diego.

I can't seem to find time to do everything I want to do, so I debated skipping the openers and getting to the Casbah late, but I seem to keep missing the Smart Brothers so I decided to take my laptop with me; if I was bored, I could just fire it up and get some writing done in the Atari Lounge.

Let's just say I'm glad I left it in the car. The Smart Brothers sing old-timey music with multi-instrumentation and three part harmonies. They're a throwback for sure, and in between songs, it is evident that they're hams and live for playing to a crowd.







I was afraid, after having seeing Ferraby Lionheart before, that his being sandwiched between The Smart Brothers and Slim that the show might lose some momentum, but he had a full backing band and he has a beautiful voice- whether rocking out with the band or playing a quiet song on the piano- that held my attention. Unfortunately, the best songs for me were the quiet ones but he had to fight the rowdy bar at the crowd. I would've liked to tell the few at the bar to stfu, but he tolerated and just played on, rising above the noise.





Langhorne Slim closed out the night, and living up to all expectations, killed it. They played some of my favorites, some all out rockers, and some with just Slim and his guitar, and it was nice to hear them close with "Diamonds and Gold".







After the show I didn't intend to hang around, but Paul, the bassist and I played a couple games of pool and caught up. He "found out" I'm a blogger, though I've told him that everytime I've talked to him, and I think it freaked him out a bit, but I don't know what he was worried about because his band always kicks ass. I was really, really glad to not have had plans on Wednesday night, because not only did I need a break, but honestly, few bands could've followed up the excitement that lingered after having seen Langhorne Slim once again.

Tonight! Langhorne Slim @ The Casbah

My boys are back in town. This is my 4th or 5th time catching them and they never get old, and the new album is exceptional. I highly recommend checking out this show tonight...





Also playing, Ferraby Lionheart and local boys, The Smart Brothers.

Overdue Recap: Langhorne Slim & Silverbird @ Beauty Bar, Verso @ Ken Club, and the rest of that weekend...

It's so nice to have a free day to catch up with life, no?

A week ago Friday was a great day for me. Work was all caught up and I got to help out on a project that I can't really detail, but it incorporated local music and I was stoked to do it. I was even let off work early, and on my ride home, I was told that I would be rewarded for my efforts with a bottle of vodka. I got home when there was still a bit of daylight, straightened up my house and chilled out until Andrea and Amy showed up. We decided to have some pre-show cocktails so we called a cab who showed up relatively quickly. We were buzzing with energy and a couple drinks.

When we arrived, we met up with the guys in Langhorne Slim. Andrea had brought them some hats from The Village Hat Shop to try out, and they chose a couple. We ordered some more drinks and chilled until the bands started.

Silverbird started off the show. Justin was sporting a new haircut, and this variation of the band only had Justin's guitars, Robin's keys, and the relatively new bassist (sorry, forgot his name). Since they've been without a regular drummer, Justin used a tambourine with a foot pedal to accompany the music. They sounded really great- Justin's heartfelt voice kinda crushes me a little everytime I hear it- so I'm definitely looking forward to them getting in the studio and laying down an album.





I spend a lot of time going to shows, but it's rare for me to actively have a 'ladies night', so we kept well lubed. I finally met Sarah, the new Beauty Bar manager, and we got to hang out a bit and talk about what she's doing with the place, and I think she's got some good things planned. Dustin is helping out with the booking there, too, which I think is a good injection of new blood. Sarah also hooked me up with a couple poker chips, so our good night was propelled to a great one. On top of all that, Abraham was there and said he'd drive us home. Night set, we went back on the patio to watch Langhorne Slim and the War Eagles.

I love this band, and I'm glad that they've got a full length because listening to an EP can only hold you over for so long. I've seen them a few times now, namely with Two Gallants and when they toured with Rocky Votolato, and the energy they have on stage is great. Even with Slim jumpin all over the stage, the other musicians hold their own and really, Paul just kills on that stand up bass.







After the set, we briefly hung out, and Andrea gave one of the hats she brought to Brandon, so here's him reluctantly modeling his new hat. (Check out the Village Hat Shop Online.)



After the show, we headed back to Kensington. I guess that is the point in the night where I had that moment of clarity...like perhaps I should've had dinner before all those cocktails. Oops. We walked over to the Ken and caught the end of The Verso's set. I'll have to check them out again when I'm not all googly eyed.





Afterward, we all came back to my house, and I quickly made my way into bed while my friends entertained themselves. The next morning, they were all up, shiny and bright after crashing in my living room, and convinced me that we should get some lunch. We headed to Bluefoot for some beer while our stuffed pizza was cooking at Lefty's. I'd only ever had fries from Lefty's before and let me tell ya, call me converted. They have some of the best pizza sauce I've ever tasted and it was delicious food to cure the h.o. The Upas Street football crew rolled in and we hung out for a bit, but after a couple hours, it was nap o'clock so I suppose you could say my Friday night finally ended about 3 pm Saturday.

Later that night, I rallied and went to the Ken Club for Swim Party, The Roman Spring, and the Focus Group. It was a great show for all three bands, though I didn't take pictures (you can read Natalie's review here). Late in the night, my friend Sara came to hang out, so we hopped between the band room and the bar, catching up with one another since it had been ages since we'd hung out. Of course, convenience is key, and after the bar, some friends came over. My neighbor was gone so we blasted MgmT and Sub Society and Prince and a whole bunch of other music until it was time for everyone to head home around 4 or 5 in the morning.

Last thing for me for last weekend was SuperBowl Sunday which was really chill with my family at my sister's house in PB. The game was great, but of course, I was obsessed with my niece Johanna. Talent scouts, my e-mail is in the about me section of this page :)

Tuesday Recap: Rocky Votolato & Langhorne Slim

I made sure to demand that my mechanic have my car complete by 5:30 so that I could make it in time to see Rocky Votolato at M-Theory. Speaking of M-Theory, you know they've got a label now, right? If you've been under a rock, it's called Hi-Speed Soul. They just re-released the "Karmic" ep from Nada Surf and the new disc from from Swervedriver frontman Adam Franklin. Adam is playing an in-store show on July 18 before his show later that night at the Casbah. Do not sleep on it.

Anyway, Rocky was a little late (a little birdie told me he forget all about it and it wasn't until Eric called from the store that he packed up his guitar and made his way to the store). It didn't really matter, he was there and as usual, he gave the crowd a smattering of new songs from The Brag & Cuss with a couple older ones at the request of people in the audience.



At the past few in-store appearances in San Diego (he almost always does one when he plays here) he had played solo with his electric guitar. This time it was lovely to hear his newer "country-er" songs on the acoustic.



He played about 8 songs and the crowd seemed pleased. Especially that little girl you can see in the video who earlier was pestering her mom if they were gonna see Rocky Votolato. And she said his name right.

A couple hours later, I was on my way back to the Casbah for the show. Usually I'm a little disappointed when there are only two acts on a bill there but in this case it worked out better for me because it meant a longer Rocky set.

Andrea and I had been trying to remember when Langhorne Slim and the War Eagles had performed here before, and the second they hit the stage, I remembered. They opened for Two Gallants last year. It was the first show after the bar brawl that happened in Houston a few days before that landed Tyson from Two Gallants in the slammer and resulted in the breaking of Paul's heirloom bass. They were just as good this night as before...same high energy, quick playing on the bass and guitar, and seemed to be enjoying themselves on the tour. I like the kinda folky & outlaw country kinda sound.

It was also nice to find out that both bands had not only arrived on Monday, but that they didn't have to leave until today and they still have the day off aside from an instore by Rocky. It makes such a difference if a band can liquor up and enjoy themselves instead of having to behave and drive off to their next city immediately after a show. I talked to Rocky a little before they played. He asked me what I wanted to hear but since he plays a good selection from his albums, I didn't have an answer. He told me just call out to him later if something came to me. I'm only pointing that out because it came up later.

There really isn't anything I can say about Rocky that I haven't said before...and since I'm SuperFan it's all just gushing anyway but his songs just speak to me. What can I say? Sad music makes me happy.

Anyway, I lagged at getting up front and two tall dudes created a wall in front of me so I did my best to peek over them during the first part of the show. But then one of their girlfriends took off her sweater inadvertantly knocking half my drink all over my chest. I swear I'm gonna start travelling with a damn sippy cup from now on. And of course it happened on a night when I was hoodie free. Anyway, I used it to my advantage and asked if she'd let me in front for a couple songs. So big thanks to her.

I gave her back her spot and kept moving around trying to shimmy into a better viewing position. There was a guy about 8 feet tall up front, but he went to the bar so I maneuvered forward.


When he returned I offered him his spot but he said he could see over me just fine. "Yell for Montana, though." So Rocky is nearing the end of his set, I called to him to play "Montana" and he says ok, then someone else yells for him to play "Tinfoil Hats," which he takes as a better suggestion and played instead. The song finished, the mic stand knocked over, he tossed down his harmonica, and tells us he's only gonna play one more because "I'm fucking drunk". While it could've seemed like an asshole thing to do, he was so honest and everyone kept buying him shots throughout the show, so it was endearing that he just came out with it. He also said how he loved playing San Diego and called us the best city to play in, which maybe wasn't 100% true, but when a date gets drunk and tells you he loves you, it's still nice to hear, right?



So since he cut it short, he skipped The Old Holland and Silver Trees, inserted Tin Foil Hats in their place, then closed the show with Makers.


Rocky Votolato Setlist, 7/10/07, Casbah

After the show, the bands hung out and I chatted with Paul from Langhorne Slim again and also with Chad for a bit. There was no shortage of "San Diago" and "Whale's Vagina" references going around. I took some pictures with Rocky and Chad (that I will NOT be posting), and Rocky let me take a picture of his new tattoo.

Ted kicked everone out pretty quickly, so I said my goodbyes and called it a night. Or kinda called it a night. I did stop by the Ken for Karaoke. But really, that's as good as home and calling it a night, right?