Entries in Damien Jurado (5)

Tuesday
Nov012016

Damien Jurado - Bellingham, WA

There's a reason Damien Jurado's career has spanned 20 years, garnered him praise from journalists and musical peers alike, and cultivated an ever-growing, loyal, and devoted fanbase, and it's this: the guy makes beautiful music. While I definitely enjoy his music, seeing him live brought a whole new dimension to my appreciation of his craft.

Playing to a mostly packed house in Bellingham, WA on October 16th, Damien peppered old songs, new songs, and "songs he rarely ever plays live anymore" into a beautifully cohesive set. One of his strengths, beyond the music itself, was his self-effacing storytelling and ability to engage with the audience on a human level - a skill which seems a lost art among many musicians.

He's currently on a coast-to-coast tour for the rest of November, and you'd be highly encouraged to check out his show if he's in your area. Check the tour dates here: http://damienjurado.com/

 

Photos // Words by Alexander Hallett

Tuesday
Jan142014

Damien Jurado - “Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Sun” *Album Release*

Album release show on Friday 17 January 2014 at the Neptune Theater In Seattle, WA

Damien Jurado’s latest album, “Brothers and Sister of the Eternal Son,” finds the singer songwriter still ruminating in the despairing way listeners have come to know him best. “Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son” is a melancholic folk rock album that at times is ethereal employing 60’s inspired arrangements a la the Zombies, or the moody calling of Echo & the Bunnymen. The songs are also psychedelic, worldly and a little cinematic if that film were an early 1970s sci-fi film. That’s not to discredit Jurado’s work. Jurado himself has never made the same record twice, which is what keeps his songwriting so interesting. On “Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son,” Jurado still gives listeners something new while recognizing his work in the past.

Tracks like “Metallic Taste” and “Suns in Our Mind” are the poppiest Jurado allows himself to get musically. Though even at its bleakest moments the album’s songs still sink their hooks into you. “Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son” comes across more like a soundtrack than a strict album. Jurado’s narrative follows the singer/songwriter as he continues to seek out an identity and finds himself at a crossroads. We never really know what it is Jurado is searching for, though perhaps Jurado himself doesn’t know either. “I don’t think I could choose a side / sunlights, they’re not meant to shine” he sings on “Suns in Our Mind.” What we do know is that the raw emotions at play on this album pull on our narrator influencing each word he gives us and paints a shadowy portrait of his world.

As an artist, Jurado has kept his music interesting by approaching his songwriting on each album differently. On “Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Sun” Jurado once again teams with producer Richard Swift whom he last worked with on 2012’s “Maraqopa.” Jurado’s calls his latest effort a somewhat sequel to “Maraqopa” (look no further than the track “Return to Maraqopa”), but “Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son” is more than just part two of a great album. Jurado seems to finally be getting comfortable in his own skin, or, at least, he’s found a skin that fits well for now.

The album’s production is atmospheric and beautiful. The lyrics: honest. Swift accurately helps Jurado capture his dreamscapes in sound and renders them gorgeously bleak. It’s a sound that comes across, at times, cleverly nostalgic and contemporary (so accurately rendered is the world created on this record, it has Father John Misty gushing about it on SPIN). If this album is Jurado getting comfortable, then let’s settle in with him.

Words by Craig Robert Brown

Photos by Adam Richert

Album release show on Friday 17 January 2014 at the Neptune Theater In Seattle, WA

  • 01/21/14              Burlington, VT                   ArtsRiot                find tickets
  • 01/22/14              Northampton, MA          Iron Horse           find tickets
  • 01/23/14              Allston, MA                        Brighton Hall      find tickets         
  • 01/24/14              New York, NY                    Bowery Ballroom             find tickets
  • 01/25/14              Philadelphia, PA               Boot and Saddle               find tickets
  • 01/26/14              Washington DC                 DC9                        find tickets
  • 01/28/14              Pittsburgh, PA                   Warhol Arts        find tickets
  • 01/29/14              Louisville, KY                      Headliners          find tickets
  • 01/30/14              Madison, WI                      Frequency          find tickets
  • 01/31/14              St. Paul, MN                       Turf Club              find tickets
  • 02/01/14              Chicago, IL                           Schubas               find tickets
  • 02/18/14              Amsterdam, NL                De Duif                 find tickets
  • 02/19/14              Ghent, BE                            Handelsbeurs    find tickets
  • 02/20/14              Hamburg, DE                      Kampnagel         find tickets
  • 02/21/14              Copenhagen, DK              Vega                      find tickets
  • 02/22/14              Berlin, DE                             Heimathafen     find tickets
  • 02/23/14              Cologne, DE                        Gebaeude 9       find tickets
  • 02/25/14              Munich, DE                         Milla                      find tickets
  • 02/26/14              Ravenna, IT                        Bronson               find tickets
  • 02/27/14              Roma, IT                              Lanificio 159        find tickets
  • 02/28/14              Milano, IT                            Belleza                  find tickets
  • 03/01/14              Zurich, CH                            El Lokal                 find tickets
  • 03/02/14              Paris, FR                               Cafe de la Danse              find tickets
  • 03/03/14              London , UK                       Village Underground      find tickets
  • 03/05/14              Dublin, IE                             Whelan's                             find tickets
  • 03/07/14              Vigo, ES                                Auditorio Municipal de Vigo        find tickets
  • 03/08/14              Valladolid, ES                     Teatro Cervantes             find tickets
  • 03/09/14              Zargoza, ES                         Centro Civico Delicias     find tickets
  • 03/10/14              Barcelona, ES                     Apolo Theatre                   find tickets
  • 03/11/14              Valencia, ES                        Teatro la Rambleta          find tickets
  • 03/12/14              Algeciras, ES                       Sala La Gramola                find tickets


Friday
Mar292013

Damien Jurado - Jon Russell - Tomo Nakayama at Neumos -Seattle

This was an amazing singer/songwriter's night at Neumos!

Tomo Nakayama (of Grand Hallway) kicked off the night  with his unique sound and powerful blasts of energy! Usually people will skip the first artist and come for the headliners…what a huge mistake that would be when Tomo is playing! Some may have come for Damien Jurado and Jon Russell but quickly fell in love. Tomo will also be in an up and coming movie with Ellen Page called Touchy Feely.

Damien Jurado doesn't speak to the crowd very often during performances, nor does he need to. He is the kind of musician that you would rather him keep playing so he can fit as many songs in to his set as possible. Damien was joined with a group of women who sang in choir form to complement his new songs. It was a beautiful performance and a treat to watch him. 

Jon Russell (of The Head and the Heart) is as consistent as "consistent" gets! He is a true singer/song writer and performer. He does not put on a show that makes you look forward to a specific "favorite song" since every song fulfills on all marks! A few members from The Head and the Heart (including Josiah Johnson, Charity Rose, and Chris Zasche) joined Jon on stage for a few songs which was very well received by the crowd.

Tomo Nakayama (of Grand Hallway)

Jon Russell (of The Head and the Heart)


Damien Jurado


Thursday
Apr052012

Cover Me // Strand Of Oaks, Damien Jurado and more

Covers are a difficult thing to do well.  The best pay tribute to an artist's work while making putting a unique stamp on it.  But even with the best of intentions, it can go wrong for a variety of reasons - too close to the original, too drastic of a stylistic change or just a poor song choice.  Here are four that I think got it right - great song, great performance:

Conrad Plymouth - Two Kids (Strand Of Oaks cover)

Strand Of Oaks - Ohio (Damien Jurado cover)

Damien Jurado - When I Light Your Darkened Door (J. Tillman cover)

J. Tillman - Roll Another Number (For The Road) (Neil Young cover)


Wednesday
Feb152012

Songs for Wednesday: Damien Jurado, Portage and more

Words // Adam Sharp

Damien Jurado - "Working Titles"
You don't hear sad doo-wop very often nowadays. Or songs with lyrics that somehow improve with each passing, devastating line.  (website)

Damien Jurado - Working Titles

 

Portage - "Souls"
A little smoky, a little blues, a little soul- it's a recipe for goodness.  (website)

 

Horse Feathers - "Fit Against the Country"
I feel like this band could pump out a million songs like this without trying. I would love every single one. (website)

Horse Feathers - Fit Against the Country

 

Sun Kil Moon - "Si, Paloma"
Seems like everyone is a bit stressed (cabin fever? Valentines stress? work stress), so I think we should all just take a second and let this gorgeous piece of instrumental work calm everything in us down.  (website)

Sun Kil Moon - Si, Paloma 

 

Adam Arcuragi - "Port Song" (for Indie Ambassador TV)
There's something about the resignation and longing in this song that kills me every time through, and it's that much more profound when he plays it live. It's easily my favorite song on Arcuragi's brilliant Like a fire that consumes all before it...  (website)