Dan Michaelson and The Coastguards are some guy with one of the deepest, richest voices ever to sandpaper the scratches out of a bar surface, and that cuddly smiley man from The Magic Numbers who always looks really happy. I think he’s called Romeo.
They play some of the slowest and most soul-rattling sad country stuff I’ve heard this side of Christmas. It’s not so slow that it stops the middle-aged white-haired lady at the front of the tiny venue from indulging in interpretative dance throughout. Unperturbed, The Coastguards (there must be another one behind the curtain I suppose) play on, and, unfortunately, end just two songs after I arrive. I hope they’re not just a side project. They’re really rather lovely.
Coming from Washington (possibly even Seattle) is something I’ve always wanted to do, but it’s not something you can just pick up by watching others and trying to emulate, is it? All the best artists come from Seattle: Nirvana, The Murder City Devils, Modest Mouse, Laura Veirs, and… others.
The Cave Singers are from Seattle, so I expect much of them. They barely put a foot wrong in their smooth and well-timed performance, playing a loose and rambling warm fol/country indie rock hotchpotch, all beard and twang and confidence. But what they have in professionalism they lack in real character. The songs are decent enough – foot-tapping or head-nodding, but never more than diverting.
There are lines, but no hooks.
They’ll make a great festival band, but after politely clapping them offstage I couldn’t help feeling ‘Right, what’s next on the evening’s agenda?’ and the answer, (nothing), seems to make for an ultimately insubstantial evening. Time has passed, but little has been gained.
When I leave, that woman is still dancing, and is the only one dancing, even though both bands have finished.
emily.dover published a new content: The Cave Singers & Dan Michaelson and The Coastguards @ Big Chill House, King’s Cross
