Next week I’ll be embarking on a tour, in promotion of Spirit of the Lake. I’m traveling with my good friend, Midwest Dilemma. Hope you’ll help us spread the news.
Wednesday Nov. 23rd // The Barley Street Tavern // Omaha, NE http://www.barleystreet.com/
9pm/Bring 2 Non-perishable Food Items/21+
*Benefit for Omaha Food Bank
Hello Madison! I’m on my way to the annual “Sad Sack Songwriter Shack” in Sheboygan, WI and decided to spend a few days broin’ out with Jeremiah Nelson in Madison (co-writer of “Nothing To Lose”, “New Tattoo” and “Company”). According to tradition, we will probably consume many adult beverages and co-write some new tunes as well.
On July 12th, we had the extreme pleasure of sharing the stage with Blind Pilot at The Waiting Room Lounge, in Omaha. Using my newest gadget (Zoom Q3), I was able to capture video of our entire show. At 16:33 David Jorgensen (Blind Pilot) joins us on stage to lend his trumpet to “Carpenter.” Below you’ll find a review of the show from hearnebraska.org
Hope you enjoy!
*I recommend listening through good speakers/headphones.
Blind Pilot Follows Hoshaw | Concert Review
by Michael Todd
I’ve heard it said that humility is like underwear: essential, but indecent if it shows. Blind Pilot might have forgotten they were wearing any Tuesday night at The Waiting Room since what stands out is their cursory devotion to opener Brad Hoshaw and the Seven Deadlies. That and nearly perfect performances of their nearly perfect songs.
It’s true, though. Brad Hoshaw is something to behold, as those who have seen him know. He’s got a voice like summer rain in the midst of an afternoon thunderstorm, all warm and soft but belied by the thunder and lightning behind it. Then to mention he’s Omaha’s songwriter of the year three times over (with results for this year’s Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards on the way), well, we’ve got something to raise a fuss about ourselves.
He’s the kind of musician who has songs you would want to hang out with. They’re well-composed without any affectations, entirely true to themselves. And Brad seems to be captivated by their company, too. He has a wistful stare on stage right out of your favorite Vietnam novel, like he’s seen something he can tell you only through a certain chord progression and arrangement of words.
His guitarist might gesticulate like a Sims character slashing your concentration on that stare, but even so, the Seven Deadlies are likely to shoot down your heart. All together, it’s no surprise Israel Nebeker, lead singer of Blind Pilot, took the in-between-song opportunity to share a revelation, paraphrased here:
“When I was growing up and Saddle Creek was just getting big, I thought I had to move to Omaha. Turns out, I ended up in Portland, but after seeing that first band, I think I might have made the wrong choice.”
From the looks of it, Omaha would gladly take Blind Pilot in, too. Just a couple smoke-monster-like swells of feedback nuzzled their way into a great mix that cleared the way for Israel’s words that had the crowd swooning. Even his banjo- and dulcimer-laden backing vocalist Kati Claborn couldn’t help but steal a glance sideways and smile furtively on the best line from “Oviedo”: “But there were nights in bars that I recall / Your breath was courage laced with alcohol / You leaned in, and you said / ‘Make music with the chatter in here / Whisper all the notes in my ears.’”
Pop culture again dispelled some of the magic like it did with Brad Hoshaw, though. Dave Jorgensen couldn’t help but remind me of the ever-smiling Bob from Enzyte commercials. It was no fault of his, a musician just caught up in the joy of playing wonderful songs to a receptive audience.
Bassist Luke Ydstie once again praised Brad Hoshaw and the Seven Deadlies before the band closed out their set with a new song, “We Are The Tide.” It’s a new direction for a band with a new album dropping Sept. 13, a tribal drum-driven, sing-loud-and-joyfully tune. And after the encore, Blind Pilot ended the night with an intimate retelling of “Three Rounds and a Sound,” unplugged and sung on the floor with the crowd.
Here’s hoping Israel finds it within himself to take his own words without a grain of salt and move to Omaha. Wishful thinking maybe, but I can hope, can’t I?
In an intimate basement setting, 30-40 folks joined together for food, music and laughs, hoping to raise some gas money for touring bands We Are The Willows and Fierce Bad Rabbit. Kyle Harvey performed early in the night and ending the evening were our hosts Justin & Jackie Lamoureux (with their band Midwest Dilemma). Since there wasn’t room for everyone to come to the show, here’s the recording of my set that night. Enjoy!
Brad Hoshaw: Live at the Lamoureux House 06/23/2011 Introduction by Justin Lamoureux
1. Delta King
2. Company
3. Jackie’s Bar
4. New Tattoo
5. Overflowed Gutters
6. Hen House
7. Nothing To Lose
Last night I performed at “Omaha’s Largest Pizza Review,” held at The Waiting Room Lounge. It was a benefit for the Omaha chapter of the American Culinary Federation. $10 got you in the door with all the pizza you could possibly want, from 12 different restaurants in town! So aside from feeling like the animatronic band from Showbiz Pizza, this was a really fun event!
The instructions, at the beginning, are my favorite part. Enjoy!
Omaha’s Largest Pizza Review (Waiting Room Lounge) 06/21/2011
1. Hillside
2. Overflowed Gutters
3. Four Seasons in One Day
4. What’s Your Game?
5. Coma
6. Company
7. Tik Tok
*Unfortunately, the batteries on my audio recorder ran out, so I didn’t catch the last four songs.
8. Delta King
9. Another Man
10. Powdernose
11. Ironic
Here’s an old home demo from 2004. I tend to stay away from politics in my music, but this day, I was thinking about the Mothers that sacrifice their children for a war that they may not understand or agree with. This song has never been played live or rerecorded.
I guess I'm looking for a new apartment... under $450 utilities included. Any help would be appreciated. 1 month ago
Show added in Sheboygan, WI. Sunday 2pm/$5 at Paradigm. Then Milwaukee, Sunday night, 7:30pm at Tonic Tavern. Please tell your WI friends. 3 months ago
Minneapolis tonight! Nick & Eddie Restaurant 10pm $3 3 months ago
Added 3 more shows! 11/20 2pm @ paradigm (sheboygan, wi) 11/20 8pm @ tonic tavern (milwaukee, wi) 11/22 @ The Washington (Burlington, IL) 3 months ago
Know anyone in Aberdeen, SD? Tell them to go to Red Rooster at 7pm tonight. Brad Hoshaw and Midwest Dilemma! Only $3 3 months ago
