Billy Eli at The Gutter
Billy Eli must have been a little sick considering all the coughing he was doing before his set. Then he opened his mouth to sing and... not a hint of a problem. He wasn't even playing with his usual band (he was backed by The Rough Gems)! This guy is a real pro, despite which his songwriting stays pleasantly down-to-Earth. He manages to rock out while staying within a country idiom, not trying too hard to sound mainstream or "new country". Good stuff.
Zack Orion and Ardeshir Mountain at The Gutter
While the sound at The Gutter is certainly excellent, as a photographer I do wish the lighting were a bit more even. Here are some lovely portraits of Zack Orion sitting in the spotlight and his band Ardeshir Mountain standing in the dark. Fortunately most of us were there to listen to Zack Orion not to gaze upon him. That's a good idea, 'cause he and Ardeshir Mountain are damn good at playing their slightly modern, very catchy style of bluegrass.
Alana Amram and the Rough Gems at Bar Matchless
Yet another of my "Study In Orange" series which by some amazing coincidence has been shot entirely at Bar Matchless. For a band on an all-country bill Alana Amram and the Rough Gems were notably mellow, although poetic might be a more apt description. Many of their best songs were soulful like an elegy. In other songs they did rock out, but nobody was going to confuse them with a honky-tonk band. They are a storytelling band.
Magnetix at 285 Kent
Hey France, we're not really using the Statue of Liberty anymore, and it's getting kind of old and rusty too. Anyway, can we trade it in for these guys? Pretty please?
The Upper Crust at Mercury Lounge
Between the band name, song titles such as "Come Hither" (about picking up girls) and their outfits I will assume that we can all guess this band's gimmick. Yeah, it's a gimmick, but it's a fun gimmick. The songs are catchy and fun. Even the banter between songs is funny. So hey, why not?
Daikaiju at Lone Wolf
Gee, sometimes I don't have to write anything do I? Just look at these pictures! Seriously, this is why sometimes I still go out to some little bar in Bushwick or whereever on a weeknight.