It seems like it's getting harder and harder for folks to get out of their beds as the temperature is dropping and midterms/finals/Thanksigiving break is upon us. But there was still a pretty good turnout for the Marnie Stern show this Saturday.
I missed Impure Jazz, but Found Objects put on a sweet performance. Also, was it just me or was The Lodge practically as cold as it was outside?
A seemingly devout crowd of headbangers piled up and rocked out during Marnie's set. I even saw a guy trying to nod his head with an intense looking neck brace on. Now that's dedication.
Miss Stern expressed her tiredness early on, but you could hardly tell during the set. Except for maybe some offbeat chatter in between songs... but that's usually part of the charm, right? It's kind of disappointing sometimes to look forward to seeing an act you like, and hoping on getting to know their persona more... and they end up being quiet... or the worst: when they're even not funny. Marnie was both charming and funny, as most of my favorite performers are.
*All photos courtesy of Nathan Monk* Thanks!
Here's some background info if you don't know much about the artist: Marnie's done a really excellent job of impressing critics' and fans' hearts since her 2007 debut album, In Avance of the Broken Arm.
She got no sophomore slump with this year's This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That.
She's gotten a lot of praise for her guitar skillz, especially her fingertappin'. But basically all you need to know is that she's totally rockin'. And that her live shows(well, her B-town show, I can't speak for others) sound just as solid and tight as the albums but the intensity is amplified because you obviously get to be right there.
I only got to hear the first few songs on account of most people are taller than me. But I mustered up the courage to ask if I could slip ahead of someone in the v. front about halfway through. Marnie herself didn't seem that much taller than me, which was a pretty cool feeling.
I think the highlight of the show was when she and her band played "Steely," probably my favorite song of the latest album.
More pix:
Close-up of Marnie's geetar:
