I figured out why I’m getting such late starts writing; it’s a combination of two things. First, I’ve not been getting enough sleep, secondly the recliner I write in here is so comfy I fall asleep in it. No, I’m not going to move over to a desk. I will not give up my comfy chair. I will try and get more sleep and perhaps I’ll make my coffee when I wake up instead of after I write.
Now to continue to play catch-up; it’s Thursday and I’m writing about Tuesday. It was not just Tuesday but the second Tuesday of the month; My Regular Gentle Readers know that means I went to John Platt’s On Your Radar. This month’s artists were The Brother Brothers, The Wiggins, Sisters, and Joshua Garcia.
I got there even earlier than usual. I always go down during sound check to make sure things are running smoothly. After seeing that things were under control I had to make a phone call. I couldn’t do it in Rockwood 3 as they were sound checking. The room on top of Stage 3 was noisy. They just started sound checking in Stage 2 so not only was that noisy but the hall connecting Stages 2 and 3 was loud. I lucked out. Somebody had left the door to the green room open and I ducked in there; I had found my phonebooth. I need to learn the door’s pin, so I can do that all the time. I’m not going to really do that. I understand Gordon Privilege and its limits. I also feel guilty when I use it.
On Your Radar sold out; this is the fourth time in five months. Somebody is doing a great job promoting the series on social media. Modesty forbids me from telling you who that is. There even seemed to be more chairs in the room than usual. I have to ask John if that were true. They might have simply been arranged differently. Many of my friends and friends and family of the performers could not get in. A few got in late after some people had left. As usual I sat with Fred and we were joined by Marty.
Joshua aka JR was up first. He is the epitome of what On Your Radar is about. Joshua is almost totally unknown, he doesn’t even have an EP. I discovered him through Lara Ewen at Free Music Fridays and told John about him. Graham and Barbara Dean saw him at the People’s Music Network and presented him at the DJ showcase at NERFA. That’s where John saw him. He was new to almost the entire audience. As has happened every time I’ve seen him he was a revelation to the first timers. He is the total package, a brilliant songwriter who evokes Dylan, Phil Ochs, and Dar Williams, a beautiful singer at times reminiscent of Roy Orbison, and a disarming stage manner. He has the added skill of playing an acoustic guitar without a strap while standing. His songs have a lot of words. The genius is that they are the right words and even more importantly he has something to say. Some are political, some are personal, but never of the “I’m so sensitive” variety. He combines the personal and political with a song about his grandmother coming to America from Mexico. Watch out for him. If you are at Falcon Ridge you can see him at the Budgiedome. There are artists that I feel the need to champion, he is one of them.
The Wiggins Sisters have the opposite back story. They have been making music for years but in an on-again-off-again manner. I think there was 18 years between albums. They came with a band, an electric guitarist and a drummer. Despite the instrumentation they were pure folk. They reminded Fred of the Nields. My favorite song of theirs was performed a Capella with body percussion provided by the band and audience.
The Brother Brothers, Adam and David Moss are friends and favorites of mine but do not need me to champion them. They have already toured opening for Sarah Jarosz. I know them because they are part of “The Scene.” That’s a term I picked up from the New York Times, a community of bluegrass and old-time artists that can now be heard on Chris Thile’s radio show, Live from Here. I know them from the Brooklyn division of the scene. They have been friends of friends since they came to New York. Before they started playing together I saw Adam playing with my friends. Then David came here, and I saw him playing with my friends. It took me a while to realize they were two different people; they are identical twins. Or are they? Only David was there for sound check. He played the part of both of them. I now suspect that John Oliver is right, but about the wrong twins.
Adam plays the fiddle and David the cello and guitar. They have exquisite voices that combine to make more exquisite harmonies. They were designed to make John Platt love them; harmony and cello are both in his sweet spot. They don’t rely on their sound, which they could. For many people a beautiful sound is enough. Not for me, I want songwriting and variety and they provide it. They can lead with their voices or their instruments, they even have funny patter. I’d tell you to look out for them but I’m pretty sure you’ll soon be able to find them without making an effort.
I have nothing exciting planned for today. Just moving more of my things out of Jane and Bernie’s apartment. Tomorrow I’ll write about last night’s great Met Game and my continuing battle with the Post Office and FedEx.
Wise Madness 