October 13, 2004 - 11:02 AM

Music Schtuff

I'm wearing my Sarah McLachlan "Surfacing" t-shirt today at work. Because she's fallen back into my good graces (hmmm...that play on the title of her last album was not intended) with the video for her latest single "World on Fire." Go check it out here.

In other music stuff, I went to the Tangiers Restaurant/club in Los Feliz to see a show that a friend I'd never met recommended to me. I've known this guy, GP, for at least 5 years as we've read each other's scribblings on several different music discussion email lists. He's very in tune with what's up-and-coming and what's hidden-in-the-haystack as far as music goes, especially music in the southern california area. He goes out almost every night to and will often hit 3 or 4 different concerts in one night, which I think is insane, but it also shows how much he loves music and how busy the L.A. music scene is.

Last night's show was part of a residency for a singer-songwriter named Tom Brosseau that GP helped organize. GP was enlisted, I believe, to gather together some artists to fill out the bill, and for tonight's show, Tom was joined by Gregory Page and Amy Cooper. I'd seen Tom opening a couple times at Largo, but had been underwhelmed; he seemed to have deer-in-the-headlight syndrome, and his performance came across as timid and unsure. The lineup last night worked better than those shows, especially Tom's pairing with Greg on a few songs; with some more simpatico artists, his shy demeanor came across as more "Aw Shucks" (he is from North Dakota), and his folk/blues songs spun a delicate, down-home vibe.

The real find of the night was Amy Cooper. She strapped on her hollow-body electric guitar, plugged it into a Vox amp, let loose with her sinister alto, and completely mesmerized me. Her songs and her singing remind me of Suzanne Vega's plain, stoic storytelling while also containing underlying currents of PJ Harvey's fierceness and Kristin Hersh's unsettling cracked beauty. She's based out of SF and makes a couple trips down to L.A. each month for shows, so you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be at her next appearance.

And finally, my friends Sylvie Lewis, Adrianne, and Kyler are all playing up and down the east coast (even in Baltimore!) this month, so please go support them by checking out their concerts. Tell 'em Paul forced you to go.

Now Listening To : Amy Cooper-an advanced copy of her upcoming CD
Random Thought : Bet your bottom dollar? Who says that anymore? Look at me! I'm Daddy Warbucks!

What I Just Wrote Before - What I'm About to Write

The Five Most Recent Entries

Here's a hand-picked playlist of 40-plus songs for you to listen to: