Kate Nash/Salt & Samovar @ Bowery Ballroom

It's the first gig of the year and if this show is an indicator of what to come, then I'm in for some crazy shows.

The Nash is back in the U.S. This space has been in Nash overload for the past year, but I always have room for one my shout-out to my girl. It was about 80% the same show as her previous NYC shows in September. The differences being a couple songs added to her set list and a ultra-campy entrance to some Disney music bleeding into "I Like To Play"

Setlist from memory, correct me if I'm wrong:

• Mariella
• Shit Song
• Stitching Leggings
• Skeleton Song 
• Birds
• Nicest Thing
• We Get On
• Dickhead
• Mouthwash
• Foundations
• Merry Happy
• Encore: Little Red
• Pumpkin Soup

I was just curious to see how see would play now that her name is out there and Made of Bricks is available in the U.S. She's a pro and belted out her tunes with authority. With "Pumpkin Soup," she went all Jerry Lee Lewis on the piano at the end, pounding away like a 5-year old who won't do as she told. I said to myself, "Okay, I'll kiss you. Let me get a breath strip."

I prefer the intimacy of the Joe's Pub shows. I figured that the Bowery Ballroom crowd would have its share of crazies and unnecessary background chattering during her great emotional songs like "Little Red" and "Nicest Thing." Tell you truth, I'll remember her performance more than the drunk a-hole in front who kept pointing at her. Me and Pat from P.T.S.T. were ready to put the beat down on the dude. My favorite bit of random crowd shout out: "Get on with it you bitch." Ironically, that's the title of my new novel, Get On With It You Bitch: A Lifetime of Music Snobbery. It will be in stores this Spring.

I must say that Kate could be the coolest 20-year old British/Irish girl in the history of modern music. She hasn't become tabloid fodder and she's getting a great fan base. Most importantly, the music speaks for itself. Much love to her. Finally, she looked over at me during the show and gave me an acknowledging hello. Then made faces at me. Normally, I would fall over like a love-struck cowboy, but you got be like Barry Sanders scoring a touchdown in these situations -- act like you've been there.

Previously:

• Me and Kate exchange autographs at Joe's Pub
• Her first U.S. at Luna Lounge
• My Top 10 of 2007, where Made of Bricks is No. 5

I feel like a fool now because I haven't checked out Salt and Samovar before tonight. They're friends of friends and I've been meaning to check them out live. They have a great, unique sound and was curious how it translated live. Then Nick Harcourt named Old Joy, New Joy his third best album of year. I missed out, so I'm a band wagon jumper.

Wow, they are hardcore intense. First off, they are the scene's first honky tonk indie band. Call them indie tonk, if you will. The closest band I can think of to compare them to is Blanche, but the Dan Miller band is more gothic in nature. S & S is a rip rowing, throw your hat into the air type of band. They're like The Doors or early Zepplin if they were a Alt-Country band. It's really great that you can pin their sound down. I'm sure each person will have a different take.

Their live show is a great, loose affair with little flourishes like hand claps and random gospel shouts. They were so fun, I wanted to put up chicken wire around them and throw beer bottles at them.

Comments

[Chatty Kathy with the Salt Water Taffy]

Sasha Frere-Jones just profiled Kate Nash in the latest New Yorker. Mr. Jones has never apologized for slandering Mr. Merrit of the Magnetic Fields. All the same, I'd trade places with Mr. Jones in a heartbeat. I'm 47, divorced and never see my kids. I never gave up the New York Ghost, and now my roomate is 19. He loves this site. So do I. I'm waiting for the right moment to make a move on him.

[Liz]

I’ve pre-ordered your novel on Amazon. I think he might have actually said “nasty bitch.” People these days.

[Dave Cromwell]

I saw and met her at the instore performance and signing at Virgin Megastore the night before this.

Me loikes her!

[Robin]

Hi

Just came across your blog by some random searching and have really enjoyed reading it. You have quality taste in music... (I'm a particularly big Kate Nash fan ! Think I've seen her about 12 times, including gigs before she even had a record deal...)

Keep up the good work, i'm gonna add you as a favourite !