Damien Jurado and band ::: Photo Abbey Simmons

If you’ve been making music in the Seattle area for any amount of time you’ve developed a relationship with Damien Jurado’s music, and not unlikely Damien Jurado himself should you happen upon him at a Conor Byrne open mic or underground all-ages show. It’s fair to say that in the last year of being a vocal fan, countless local musicians have mentioned to me the influence Jurado’s music has had on them, the music from years past as often as his more recent work. The almost completely pre-sold out crowd at a fairly new only slightly out-of-the-way venue was evidence still of the strength of Jurado’s relationship with his local fan-base and the fact that some of Seattle’s best musicians made up the paying audience spoke to his continued influence.

Just as Jurado had begun earlier in 2010, he continued his open and experimental streak of debuting songs written just that day, this time two new songs written at 12:15 and 2:15 earlier the same afternoon. For dedicated fans and fellow musicians this is the type of unfiltered insight into an artist that is extra special, and the addition of a large portion of Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground as his backing band made the night doubly special since they’ve only played just two official sets together in Seattle at the much larger Triple Door and Showbox. The between song report of Jurado and the band, and Jurado and the audience, was as hilarious as it was endearing. He admitted right away that he only gets nervous when playing in Seattle, likening it to the first kiss and worrying about “your lip getting caught on her braces.” Then display no self-consciousness whatsoever he offered up gems like “I’ve only seen the Eiffel tower twice but I’ve seen twenty million cocks”, chastised local music writers for hating bands for getting popular (“cough, cough The Head and The Heart”). Jurado shared with the audience sweet stories about how fast his son is growing up and cherishing his moments of affection and how making music has become all about him. Banter aside, Jurado stuck mostly to new songs from Saint Bartlett, though near the end of his set “Sheets” and then the finale of “Ghost of David” were stirring nods to longtime fans, with the latter a downright chilling choice and just as affecting whether you knew the story behind it or not.

Thanks to Jason Neuerburg for the video!

We’ve been trying to figure out how to get Kevin Large on a bill since we first heard his music maybe three years ago. Devoting much of his recent time to Grand Hallway and regrouping after the dissolution of Widower as a band, he’s been an elusive character. I’ve lamented more than once that it’d be a shame to see his talent find no outlet so I’m beyond pleased Large has been actively developing new songs in the last few months and playing around town more. This night he was joined on backing vocals by Kaylee Cole for a couple of old songs an one new one, their duet of “Come Monday Morning” was perfect. I’m still trying to figure out whether playing Damien Jurado’s “Ohio” at a sold out Damien Jurado show takes cojones of steel or titanium. Large had sound checked with “Ohio” and an approving Jurado had enjoyed the rendition so much he asked if Large would play it during the show. And his rendition was so good, we doubt a soul in the audience regretted that it meant Jurado wouldn’t be performing it. Whatever grade ballsack this guy sports, it was plenty strong enough. More than anything though it was just good to hear a full Widower set again, and to be able to get Kevin Large in front of a large group of receptive and appreciative people, the audience we’ve always thought he deserved.

Beginning with an acapella song that snapped a chatty full crowd to attention, Conor Byrne Open Mic regular Tony Kevin Jr. was in front of maybe the biggest crowd of his young career. Joking that he had once fallen off a ferry (true story) and that he had been “called to the life of the ridiculous”, nerves could have bested him as he broke a string during the first verse of the second song. Or as the back-up acoustic guitar handed to him by Damien Jurado turned out to be a left-handed guitar and just as unplayable as one with a broken string. But through it all, Tony Kevin maintained his composure and sense of humor, and ultimately his nerves and foibles endeared him to the audience in a way that his songs alone might not have. Which is no insult. When Tony Kevin was in song, his rare unguarded emotion did demand attention of it’s own though and by ending his set solo, with a song he himself had just written a few weeks prior, he distinguished himself as having earned a spot on stage in the company of some of the Northwest’s foremost songwriters.

Tony Kevin Jr. ::: Photo Josh Lovseth

Widower ::: Photo Abbey Simmons

Widower ::: Photo Josh Lovseth

Damien Jurado ::: Photo Josh Lovseth