By: Andrea Myers
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Josh Rouse at the Cedar - Photo by David de Young (click here for full set)
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A mostly mellow evening at the Cedar Cultural Center was opened up by Strays Don't Sleep, one of the better mood-rock bands that have come through town recently. A collaborative effort between successful solo artists Matthew Ryan and Neilson Hubbard, the band began as a side project for both performers and has evolved into a force to be reckoned with on the road. With Ryan and Hubbard alternating between vocal duties, their sound ranged from bass-driven retro rock to piano- and synthesizer-heavy pop in the vein of David Gray and other contemporary artists.
Though you would never guess it from their music, Strays Don't Sleep hail from Nashville, Tennessee, a city that Ryan proclaimed as "a lovely place to live but a terrible place to play." As the set wore on, the band took more freedom with their song structures and lengths, stretching out their crescendos and singing memorable, simple-yet-profound choruses like "I forgive you / Blue skies fall," and "I want you." At one point, Ryan jumped down off the stage, paced up and down the middle row of the audience and crouched down as he sang, which shifted the visual focus and made me realize how often I end up watching the vocalist instead of the rest of the band. Strays Don't Sleep closed out their set with a fitting cover of New Order's "Love Vigilantes."
Josh Rouse appeared after a short break and started in on a lengthy set, joined by bass player James Haggerty and drummer Marc Pisapia. The near-capacity room hushed as the band started to play, launching into the first track off his most recent album, Subtìtulo, the aptly-titled "Quiet Town." He proceeded to pummel through several tracks off the new disc, chewing his gum furiously and appearing to work off a few concert jitters before pausing to take a look around the room and appreciate his riveted audience. "It's like the Josh Rouse movie tonight," he remarked, as concert-goers watched him drink his water without making a noise, awestruck by his presence. The sound at the Cedar was impeccable; even from my seat at the edge of the room I was able to hear every word perfectly.
In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I am not the most dedicated Josh Rouse follower. In fact, I only own his most recent disc and became aware of his previous work quite recently. In concert, I appreciated the songs off Subtìtulo for their familiarity, but found that his older, more energetic material translated better to the live setting. As the band settled into older songs like "Flair" and "James," they proved their ability to go from quiet intensity to all-out rock jamming. A crowd favorite and song I recognized was "Directions," to which [HowWasTheShow Managing Editor] David de Young inquired, "Is this a Pete Yorn cover?" It was, in fact, an original Rouse song, though in David's defense I believe it may have received some airplay a few years back around the same time as Yorn's melodically-similar "Strange Condition."
Midway through the set Rouse loosened up considerably and began bantering back and forth with the audience. Rouse explained that he relocated to Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain, a year and a half ago, which fueled most of the songs on Subtìtulo. He also revealed that his longtime friend Gary Louris lives nearby, and that the two of them have been "hanging out" in Puerto de Santa Maria. Looking out into the crowd, Rouse asked, "Gary, are you here?" When it was clear that Louris hadn't come to the show Rouse scoffed and joked, "Gary, some good friend."
The evening ended with more fan-friendly favorites like "Dressed up Like Nebraska," "1972," and "Rise."
Andrea Myers is andrea[at]howwastheshow.com
Related sites:
Josh Rouse Set List:
Quiet Town
Givin' It Up
Under Your Charm
It Looks Like Love
His Majesty Rides
My Love Has Gone
Winter in the Hamptons
It's The Nighttime
Tease-Foxy Lady
[unknown]
Flair
James
Directions
Dressed Up Like Nebraska
Suburban Sweetheart
1972
Rise
[unknown]
Location Info:
Cedar Cultural Center
Artist Info: Josh Rouse, Strays Don't Sleep
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