Last week the mopey, sensitive kids you remember from high school (myself included i suppose) - converged on Bowery Ballroom for a cathartic evening with one of the most jarring songwriters in indie music today. Tim Kasher's voice is a familiar one to man, having fronted some seminal bands in the genre - Slowdown Virgina, Cursive, (a little bit in) Commander Venus, and his most personal project the Good Life.
The Good Life has
evolved from a more solo - acoustic, electronic venture, to a cohesive band with a full, lush sound. They are touring in support of their fantastic new release Help Wanted Nights on Saddle Creek. So while the focus of the night was playing lots of cuts of the new record, there was also plenty of time given to his now classics. Watching Kasher on stage is where the magic of the Good Life manifests. He stomps around like a caged animal (in a very non-threatening way of course) and lets him self go as he spits (literally) and sprays the lyrics as loud as he can. He also has the rare power to pull back and subdue himself.However, an uglier (literally) side of the show exposed itself almost immediately through the form of the loudest, worst voiced, most obnoxious girl in the world. Standing directly behind me. She really seemed to want to be louder than Kasher himself. I really enjoy more intimate shows because the odds of getting someone like her there are considerably lower. While I was recording these tracks she was there making her lame presence felt. Everyone around her (myself included) was put on edge by her truly selfish and childish behavior. On the recording of O'rourks (a personal fav. song) I even spoke directly to her telling her to chill out. Listen for the results.
Lady, if youre out there, and reading this, GO FUCK YOURSELF and never go to another concert again!
whew, talk about cathartic.
Regardless I still had a great time and seeing Kasher and the rest of the Good Life live and completely in their element really was a treat.
Here are some tracks:
New Friend
O'Rourks 1:20 AM (LAME GIRL MIX)
Heartbroke
Album of the Year
Don't Let Go
ALL PHOTOS by Caroline Scott ©2007
