I went to the Orange Peel in Asheville, NC to see Blitzen Trapper and Iron & Wine. If you have listened to Iron & Wine and not seen them live, I definitely wouldn’t miss your next opportunity. There were certainly a few surprises, notably a fuller sounding poppy and radio ready version of “Love and Some Verses” from the early album Our Endless Numbered Days.
More interestingly than Iron & Wine though – BLITZEN TRAPPER, the opening act – totally blew me away. I loved them and I can’t stop listening to the songs that I have since hearing them (though my albums arent doing them the same justice the live show did). The lead singer possesses an undeniable similarity to the velvety side of Bob Dylan (complete with hands free harmonica) and the whole band is reminiscent of a different era of rock n roll. I don’t know what’s up with Portland, Oregon but if they put out any more awesomeness, I’m gonna have to pack up and move there. So, this band has a range of sounds and influences and I don’t want to bastardize it with some shit attempt at explanation. I just whole heartedly recommend that you keep an ear out for these guys. They’re pretty awesome.
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From the album Furr: Black River Killer
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Saw Blitzen Trapper Saturday night at the Casbah in San Diego.. Bootsy – you were right, very impressive…
Sick bands, my favorites. Keep the Travis style fingerpicking alive!
Foote- I can’t believe I missed that show- next time you are picking me up in your El Camino and we are going to hang with Sam Beam- ann old friend.