Glen Hansard @ LA's The Regent Theater

By Jessica Klausing

Glen Hansard photo by Courtney Lavender.

CONCERT REVIEW featured on Order In The Sound.

After over a full year of no live music due to the pandemic, Glen Hansard and friends were determined to make up for lost time at the Los Angeles Regent Theater.

We/Or/Me photo by Courtney Lavender.

The artist known as We/Or/Me kicked off the night with a beautiful collection of acoustic folk songs as well as some witty insightful humor. He joked that the masked audience looked like “some kind of dystopian nightmare,” but in all seriousness, he was extremely thankful for everyone coming out and keeping each other safe. One thing was for sure, Bahhaj Taherzadeh had the audience completely captivated. It’s rare to find an entire audience actively listening in respectfully to opening acts, but as soon as he strummed right into “The Dusty Roads,” a solemn tale of traveling and leaving loved ones behind, everyone watched silently, mouths open agape. With “Old Joy,” everyone was singing along to the chorus, “Sorrow is just old joy, they say/Sorrow is just old joy/Old joy that’s lost its way.” Check him out on Bandcamp. You won’t regret it!

Glen Hansard took the stage to a thunderous applause and deafening cheers. It was very evident that Los Angeles had missed the Oscar award winning Irish singer songwriter. With a humble head bow, he waited patiently for the audience to settle down before opening with, “The Moon” on an acoustic guitar. Hansard has such an impeccable way of commanding the attention in a room. He can a hold a powerful crescendo that soars above the heavens while simultaneously strumming the hell out of a guitar without breaking a string. Incredible.

Setting down the acoustic guitar in favor of the piano, he crooned right into “Fool’s Game,” another crowd pleaser. Hansard was smiling all night long, alternating between guitar and piano. He kept thanking the crowd and with an Irish accent as comforting as a nice pint at the local pub, he professed how “grand it was to be touring again!” Everyone was in good spirits. From playful heckles to singing and clapping along to the beat, it was indeed a glorious night to celebrate the return of live music.

Hearing “When Your Mind’s Made Up” from the Once soundtrack was a real treat. I was introduced to Glen Hansard’s music through that movie and have been hooked ever since. As truly beautiful as Hansard sounds on recording, he is far by more powerful in a live setting. During “I’ll Be You, Be Me,” the audience was belting out the chorus and stomping their feet along with him. The stomping became so loud and frantic, I was concerned the balcony was about to come crashing down! Thankfully, it didn’t!

From left to right: Danny Clinch, Andy Kaulkin and Glen Hansard. Photo by Courtney Lavender.

Hansard had a few tricks up his sleeve that night inviting his friends, Anti- Records founder Andy Kaulkin and Rock n’ Roll photographer Danny Clinch up on stage for a few songs. Kaulkin graced us with his superb piano skills and gruff Tom Waits-esque singing voice for “Her Mercy.” Clinch joined in on harmonica for a spirited bluesy rendition of “Way Back in The Way Back When.” Kaulkin and Clinch remained onstage, playing alongside Hansard for “Wedding Ring” and “Corrina Corrina.”

“Bird Of Sorrow” deserves special recognition. All of Hansard’s songs are heartwarming tales of one’s inner struggles, but this song in particular hits like a ton of bricks. I saw more people get teary eyed during this song than the others. Hansard sings, “You’ve been kneeling in the dark for far too long/ You’ve been waiting for that spark, but it hasn’t come/ Well I’m calling to you please, get off the floor/ A good heart will find you again/ A good heart will find you, just be ready then.” With such sincerity in his voice, it really felt like he was comforting us as if we were his old friends.

Glen Hansard and Courtney Lavender photo by A. Marcel.

Another surprise came when Hansard invited his friend, Courtney Lavender of Xs & ARROWs up onstage to perform. Xs & ARROWs recently released their new EP, Awoken By Owls. Lavender picked up an acoustic guitar and played “Call You Home,” a delicate traveler’s tune from the EP. She described the song as “home doesn’t have to be a place, it can be a person, or a song, or a gathering, like this one.” How right she was. With all the love and positive energy buzzing around The Regent, who wanted to leave this little oasis? Of course, all good things must come to an end. After the final strum of “This Gift,” Los Angeles was not ready to say goodbye and demanded an encore, which Hansard happily obliged.

Returning to the stage, he ended the night with “Rocky Road to Dublin.” He sung it beautifully, a capella, and then closed out with the gentler “Leave a Light” from the album, The Wild Willing. Glen Hansard is one of the best live artists I have seen. He truly delivers on all fronts with brilliant storytelling and a whole lot of heart.

SETLIST:
The Moon
Fool’s Game
My Little Ruin
High Hope
As You Did Before
When Your Mind’s Made Up
I’ll Be You, Be Me
Time Will Be The Healer
Wreckless Heart
Her Mercy
Way Back In The Way Back When
Wedding Ring
Corrina Corrina
Astral Weeks
Grace Beneath The Pines
Bird Of Sorrow
Revelate
Star Star
Nathaniel
Call You Home
Stay The Road
Tender Mercies
This Gift

ENCORE:
Rocky Road To Dublin
Leave A Light

CONCERT REVIEW: Coby Brown Plays with Heart @ Hollywood's Hotel Cafe

Written by Jessica Klausing

From left to right: David Immerglück, Coby Brown, and Jonny Flaugher. Photo by Jessica Klausing.

Coby Brown treated fans to a beautiful, laid-back set in the intimate Second Stage Room at Hollywood’s Hotel Café on Thursday.

Brown is no stranger to the Hollywood music scene. He’s a composer and songwriter who’s had his work featured in numerous films and TV shows; most recently he completed the score for the biopic, “The Man Who Knew Infinity.”  Brown himself is a proficient performer. He exudes tremendous ease on guitar while his soft, pure voice delivers humble lyrics. His band for the night – Jonny Flaugher (upright bass) and David Immerglück (guitar, mandolin, and backing vocals) play like they have been performing all their lives with Brown, moderating their instruments to keep the vocals in the forefront while laying down solos when called for.

Jonny Flaugher photo by Jessica Klausing.

The opener, “Sunday,” set a mellow tone for the rest of the night. Flaugher’s heavy bass supports Brown’s lyrical narrative as well as his crisp guitar chops. His lyrics are plainspoken but evocative as he sings, “Don’t you talk to me like a dead man/Cause I can do anything you can.”

Brown is an acoustic folk artist, but more importantly, he’s a keen observer able to capture the singer-songwriter genre in the personal stories the lyrics tell, and the sensitive, emotional accompaniment of his band.

David Immerglück photo by Jessica Klausing.

After a relatively laid back slew of songs, the energy started to pick up on “Living Proof,” with Immerglück’s rousing solo on his red Jazzmaster. He then traded in guitar for the mandolin on “Call and Answer.”

The highlight of the set was “Hospital,” in which Brown strikes an emotional chord through the anxious feelings of fear, the desperation for comfort, and to find a way out of a bad situation. The band followed with “Cigarettes,” a sweeping, honest ballad that captures the pain of watching someone destroy their life through a substance addiction. Brown laments, “Take something beautiful/ fill it up with hate.”

Coby Brown photo by Jessica Klausing.

Brown closed with “Lived To Tell the Story,” a fitting ending to sum up his experiences to learn from past mistakes in order to move on.

When the evening finally came to an end, Coby Brown and his band left to a roar of applause, ample evidence of a show well done. There’s a soothing sensation that hits you when they first start playing and a satisfaction when they end, and the time between those moments is filled with a sense of trying to make sense of all the loss and heartbreak in life. And for an evening, while we still may not be able to make sense of the pain, it’s comforting to know that things will be alright somehow.

SETLIST:
Sunday
Come On, It's Time to Go
Living Proof
2 Way Street
Without You
Call and Answer
Hospital
21st Century
Cigarettes
Tokyo
Lived To Tell the Story

CONCERT REVIEW: YARN @ NYC's American Beauty

Written by Eric Ruth

Yarn photo by Eric Ruth

My friend Sandi and I made it to the American Beauty after catching a train and trekking through the rain. Side note: The venue's name is taken from the Grateful Dead's first album, American Beauty.

Upon arrival members of the band came over to say hello to me. They all gave me a big hug and asked me how I was doing. Yarn's acoustic guitar player and harmony man Trevor asked me what concerts I've been to lately. We talked about bumping into each other at a Ryan Adams concert. I can't think of any other band, small or famous, who is that nice and down to earth. They genuinely care about you and make you feel welcomed.

After I talked to the band I set up shop. I placed my book bag down on one of the couches which is off to the side of the venue and then wondered around. I got to watch a few innings of the Yankee game on the TVs' in the front bar. The venue is broken into two sections. When you first walk in you have a bar, some tables, and stairs which leads to the free pizza. Every drink comes with a ticket for free pizza. Beyond the bar is a set of doors which leads you to another room with a stage, couches, dancing cages, and another bar. It's a small cozy room with a great sound.

At about a little after nine the lights went down and the house music came to a stop. The opening band Kevin Harrison & True North took the stage. I'll be honest and say I knew very little about them. I sampled one song before the show. They sounded like a cross between The Black Crowes and Rob Thomas. I know that's a weird combo. The guitars were a little Southern Fried Rock mixed with some Rob Thomas vocals.

I only heard Rob on some songs but it was enough of a sample size to take notice. The band had a generic set up with two guitars players, bass, and drums. Nothing special or earth shattering. I perked up when they played a cover of "Midnight Rider" and some song about NYC. Before you know their set was over and the lights came on and the house music began to play.

Ricky B plays the upright bass photo by Sandi Atkinson.

Shorty after the opening band was done, Yarn made their way to the stage. They opened with a new unreleased song called "In the Moonlight." It's one of my favorites. Not many people in the crowd other then me knew this song. This fact did not matter because less then a minute into the song everyone was on their feet dancing up a storm.

After that song came to an end the band played "Now You're Gone" off of the band's most recent studio album, This Is The Year. Some bands take a few songs to get warmed up. Not Yarn. They came out swinging from the minute they took the stage. They have so much energy. They literally play like it's their last show on earth.

Yarn's bass player Ricky started out with his long hair tied back in a man bun, but as the night progressed on, his man bun came undone. His long hair started flying everywhere as he thumped on the upright bass. Sweat dripped everywhere! After playing more songs new and old the band had time for one more. They decided to throw out a curve ball. Yarn may be categorized as an Americana band, however, they are so much more. They effortlessly blend classic Country, Folk/Folk Rock, Singalongs, and Jams to create the Yarn sound.

However this curve ball proved that they can also play some 70's Disco. That's right Yarn played a cover of KC and the Sunshine band's "Get Down Tonight." This song got the crowd in a frenzy. The place turned into a disco. Is there anything Yarn can't do? Once the song came to an end the lights came on and the house music began to play one final time. Before leaving the venue the band came over to ask me how I liked the show.

Like a fine wine.... I swear this band gets better with each show. Unlike established bands who have roadies to set up and dismantle the stage Yarn has to do it all. This includes driving their own van and paying for gas and a place to sleep. They don't live in the lap of luxury and they truly do this for the love of the music. After a final goodbye I pulled a flyer off of the wall and headed back home.

Go see Yarn if you ever get the chance. I guarantee you'll have a good time. If not your next drink is on me.

SETLIST:

In the Moonlight

Now You're Gone

Tennessee

Heaven in You

Down on your Luck

Bobby Weeks

Music's Only Outlaw

Roadhouse

I Let You Down

This is the Year

Long Way To Texas

Bad Bad Man

Strikes and Gutters

Sioux City Gypsy

Turn The Lights Off

I'm the Man

Get Down Tonight (KC and The Sunshine Band Cover)