On Wednesday night Australian rising star Courtney Barnett played Webster Hall along with San Fermin and Mikhael Paskalev for a CMJ show that was one of the better non-showcase shows of the week.
Norwegian-Bulgarian singer-songwrtier Mikhael Paskalev was first, and delivered a rather hushed acoustic set to start. He was later joined by San Fermin’s drummer Mike Hanf who gave Paskalev’s set a little extra boost that was a real difference maker. He added that usually he would have a full band out there with him, and I can imagine it being a much different set if that were the case. Even so, there was no denying that he is a talent to watch.
Apparently Courtney Barnett broke out in a big way last CMJ, which makes the fact that I completely missed out on her somewhat odd and inexplicable. Instead, I discovered her as my opening set at Firefly this year. Ever since then, I’ve been listening to her double EP A Sea of Split Peas rather obsessively ever since. Her performance at Webster Hall was my first complete set from her, and man, what a show it was.
Barnett is calm, cool and collected on stage, a laid back vibe that almost contradicts the heavy hitting garage-rock nature of her songs. But then again, there’s a stoner-vibe that can’t possibly get lost on anyone, which is all a part of her loveable charm. Highlights of the night included “History Eraser” and “Avant Gardener”, both of which exploded live, making every body in Webster Hall shake their head in agreeable excitement.
With promising acts like Barnett around, the music scene is looking mighty fine.
Courtney Barnett:
Mikhael Paskalev:
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