Scott and I ran over to the Red Rock in Mountain View on October 9 to catch the Friday line up upstairs. The show kicked off with Paige Gibbons of the band Per Se. She did a solo act with her guitar because her sister Emily has gone off to college and her friend Rachel (sister of Nick of the amazing-ready-to-break-any-second band Picture Atlantic btw) was busy with another event. Paige enjoys singing the close harmonies with Emily and Rachel that are Per Se’s signature sound. However, Paige is fine on her own. She started off a little tentatively but then warmed up as she realized that the crowd was predisposed to like her — after all we’re there to hear acoustic originals. She sang 5 songs, written mostly by herself. And she covered an Ingrid Michaelson songs, “What if?” Which was not a surprise because Michaelson’s influence is subtley woven through many of the sounds we heard from Paige, particularly the song, “Here to Stay.” Paige is going for that fresh, cursive, unencumbered sound. Her lyrics are intriguing and paint wonderful images: “I wonder what you were thinking when your knees hit the bathroom floor” from the song “Cellophane” was nicely placed and evocative. Her voice is lovely and she can sustain high notes which actually strengthen the longer she holds them. She has a natural gift to be sure. However, she is one of many fine young singers who have come up through the Gunn High School choral program under the direction of the dynamic William Liberatore. A quick shout out to “Billy”. You can learn more about Per Se at their myspace page.
After Paige sang Vincent Do with Tommy Finn took the spotlight. Both on vocals and guitar. They sang six songs leading off with Vincent’s “You Are Free” followed by a few more of Vincent’s songs. Tommy sang “Change Your Mind” and then a couple more songs, finishing up with “Fade Out.” I’ve seen Vincent a few times now, and each time I’m impressed with how quickly he is developing his own style and he’s just a great guitarist. He has a calming, steady way about him even when he is singing about stressful, troubling topics. Great groove.
Last up was Kevin Sullivan aka Westwood and Willow, an American Songwriter alumnus. His brother Sean of the band Pericardium backed him up on electric guitar, providing counterpoint to Kevin’s acoustic set. Kevin seems to be cranking out songs at breakneck pace. He delivered a seven song set, five of which I hadn’t heard, and I flatter myself I’m following the guy. The new songs all have Kevin’s signature rolling verses that come back to strong choruses. And he packs every song with double duty lyrics that take you down with him into his world of heavy but hopeful introspection. I like Kevin’s music because he’s not afraid to make you a bit uncomfortable or to tip his hand. He draws you in right beside him: “I’m down and out-I’m on the edge about-I cannot stand to see anybody happy… I don’t have the will to cry… just sleep tonight.” Does Kevin use the word “depressed” ever in the song? Very nicely done. He performed a fun little ditty inspired by a trip into the heartland where the outside world isn’t welcome. After getting an unexplained punch in the chest by someone who may not have completely understood the singer, Kevin sings in the chorus: “Nobody thinks straight. Why would I do that?” There is something very resonant about the way he delivers that line and the story he paints of the singer’s adventure. Other lyrics that jumped out at me: “The light will turn green”; “I can make trouble out of anything” and then “the ground is closer than you think.” This last example was in the final song of the evening which is a painful peek into troubling adolescent years. Kevin is daring in his honesty and is a gifted guitarist and vocalist into the bargain. His almost stacatto vocal style is offset by a lovely false setto which he seems to using more and more. The falset setto was lovely in the “green light” song.
You can check out Kevin’s American Songwriter show of course on our myspace page and on our blip tv channel.
