When I last wrote about Brett Detar (formerly of The Juliana Theory) I had just listened to his new solo record and loved it. Last Saturday night I got to see him sing some of those songs live, and it was fantastic.
It was just him and his guitar (and later banjo), so the songs – with the exception of Cocaine Whiskey and Heroin – were at times little slower and more subdued than on the record, but they were no less lovely for being stripped down. He has a big powerful voice and it was a pleasure just to listen to him sing.
Anyway, here’s one more of him, this time with the banjo:
Next up was Nick13, formerly of Tiger Army, who I had never heard before in either of his incarnations – Tiger Army happened while I was in cultural exile – and thus had no idea what to expect.
I realize this has become something of a trend with me. I promise I do go to concerts where I am familiar with the work of all of the acts ahead of time! It’s just sometimes (okay, often) I’m perfectly content to go on a voyage of discovery.
And as for Nick13, I am once again happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised.
For those of you who have heard of Tiger Army and are wondering how the new sound compares, I have since corrected my deficiencies and can tell you that what he is playing now is really, really different. The psychobilly has left the building.
The new sound is – well, it’s kind of old, in the sense that it harkens back to what country sounded like in the middle of the 20th century. My reactions were basically We play both kinds, country and western, though referencing the score of Greater Tuna, not Blues Brothers, and also He’s like Gene Autry with neck tattoos.
Though I do also have to say that he’s less tinny and schmaltzy than Gene Autry, or at least, Gene Autry as presented by Spotify. There’s definitely some punk and/or rock sensibility swirling through everything as well, but it’s subtle – just enough to give the rhythm a little bit of kick.
Mostly I thought the music was sweet, and kind of gentle, but most certainly not dull. I put his CD in my iPod, and while it’s only been in rotation for a couple of days, I can tell it’s the kind of thing I will be returning to at the end of long days and when exams are making me crazy. It’s also music I will play for my parents, as I think they might enjoy it.
If you would like to check both Nick13 and Brett Detar out for yourself, the tour is still on the march, and will be making stops across the Mid- and South-West through early October. If they’re coming to your town and you have the evening free, go down and visit with them. I promise it will be a good time.