Well, gang. Friday was my second presenting show at Joe's Pub and my un-official CMJ showcase. I've been fortunate and lucky that my shows have been successful beyond my expectations. As much as my ego gets fed with these shows or the attention I get, I can not take credit for Lucky Soul's outstanding performance or your enjoyment from seeing one of the great undiscovered British bands make their proper U.S. debut.
With these shows, I take away little moments that will always stay with me. There was the band looking out of the crowd and being amazed that people were clapping along and shouting for their favorite songs. There was Andrew dedicating the last song ("The Last Song") to his departed auntie, whom in their last conversation, talked about coming to America to play. Despite Ali's cold, she smiled widely between songs. Afterwords, I saw how fans lined up to take photos with them all and buy up all their merch. That, I know, was unexpected for the band.
Check this out, people flew in from Canada, Orlando and Los Angeles just to see this show. Holy crap! Even Pitchfork showed some love for the band and the show. With any of these show, I just hope people show up because my job is to get butts in the place. Not only did people show, but they filled up the room nicely. I remember when Nicole Atkins started to become popular and I saw that couples would come to her show as their date night. I always thought that was highest compliment. So on Friday, I saw lovely couples grab a table, hold hands and have a great time. Say it with me, "Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww". You could have been anywhere during CMJ, so I tip my hat to those who came to the show.
As for the show, despite the first two songs being a little shaky with the bass crapping out and Ali struggling with her voice, the show as a whole was everything I hoped it would be and more. Ali found her voice and was able to hit all the right notes, and sometimes, her broken voice fit with the song. Not only did she make it through the show, she had a blast. People were shouting for "Lips Are Unhappy" and what the crowd wants, the crowd gets. I made sure that they played "Get Outta Town!". "Add Your Light To Mine" was filled with giddy joy.
I, like the fans who traveled far and wide, wanted to see this band in action. They've been on the U.K. scene for two years and all that time I desperately wanted to see them perform. Their sound is just tailored made for my tastes, 60s mod pop with shades of the Staxx sound and girl group vocals. It's classy, sassy, sexy and damn fun to see live. They debuted some new tracks that branches the band out into gospel and country-western territory a la Dusty in Memphis or Jenny Lewis' solo work
I can't thank you all enough for the showing up and showing love for the band. I know they were flabbergasted that the place was full, that fans stayed to meet-and-greet and that you all had a great time. In this day and age, it's getting harder for international bands to play in the U.S. The financial cost and paperwork involved will have you freaking out. So for Lucky Soul to have people come and screaming and shouingt means the world to them.
As far as coming back and doing other gigs in the U.S., it's a tall order, but not out of the realm of possibility. They all have U.S. work visas for a year and hopefully the show gave them some much needed and deserved exposure. So tell your friends and your mother that Lucky Soul will be your new favorite band.
For me, it's just another accomplishment in a wonderful, surreal year. When I hear Ali giving me props on stage for bringing them over, giving them a platform to shine and praising my brownies, I am humbled and embarassed to no end. Then again, there's a little snob voice in my head that screams, "You know it!"
Well done for bringing Lucky Soul to NY - we'd been waiting for a while to see them. Much thanks.
Posted by: | October 27, 2008 at 01:10 AM
This was a phenomenal show, Chris. Thanks for putting it on, I had a great time.
Posted by: lizzy | October 27, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Thanks so very much for making this show happen, Chris, and it was good to meet you.
I've got my review and photos from both Lucky Soul shows up now:
http://www.chromewaves.net/2008/10/lucky-soul-at-webster-hall-and-joes-pub-new-york-city-cmj/
Posted by: frank | October 28, 2008 at 08:32 AM