Spirits of the Red City - South Main Gunnison, Gunnison CO - October 31, 2014

[The US] I had been meaning to pay my respects to this new venue/endeavor at the southern end of town (1/2 mile from the center of town) for a long time. They’ve been hosting inventive parties and, most importantly, bringing bands in from out of town. My expectations were entirely exceeded. An enchanting amalgam of hippie spirituality, hardware art, and Gunnison chumminess – I was particularly overcome by the exceedingly organized array of tools and odds and ends. Prefaced by a blessing from TheLeader and a stirring ode to redheads and faieries from a local storyteller, the band numbered at least seven. They were possibly most definitely the first band I have ever seen with three upright basses. They also had 2 guitars, a fiddle, an accordion... The bassists alternated in clarinets and saxophones, with the clarinet even harmonizing with the accordion. The guitarist alternated in a banjo, which he played in a kind of stunted plucking style. By their looks, I expected gypsy punk but they were more gothic folk. Their truly talented lead vocalist/guitarist broke the stereotype of collective-izing musicians in order to mask individual mediocrities. His guitar-playing was intricate and emotive. His voice often reminded me of Cat Stevens…. he even had a song about troubled father-son relationships (a la Cat’s in the Cradle … which it turns out has nothing to do with Cat Stevens because it’s by Harry Chapin – google webpage “5 Famous Songs Everyone Thinks Are by the Wrong Artist”). My head hurts just looking at a singer/songwriter but he made me believe he could make it even without his bandmates – not that he should. I overlooked the intentionally uncombed hair because I understand young artists have to make it clear they’re young artists. When I’d get disappointed by their Mumford & Sons moments, they’d counter with some Godspeed You grandeur. Some Spanish guitar and waltz too. When I solicited an opinion from ElPrimoHaole, he thought for a while and said “… impressive … appropriate,” which essentially meant: “eh.” I guess it’s not everybody who’s comforted by the sounds of infinite sadness.