Any solo performer, regardless of genre or stature, should want to emulate Rhett Miller. His stage presence at the Troubadour on Friday night: complete and total entertainment. Mr. Miller is a master of the perfect combination of between-song-banter (he managed to do it better with himself/the audience than any group I’ve seen) and quick transitions into the next song, so that at no point were you hoping he would either take a break and talk to the audience or shut the hell up and just play his songs—that is, when he spoke it was poetry (and clever to boot), and when he continue to rock his worn acoustic guitar he was on fire.
»continue reading Rhett Miller @ Troubadour, 2/08/08

Photo by Sung. Full set here.

When it comes to catchy hooks and a fun stage presence, Los Campesinos! pull out all the stops. Last night at the Echo, the Cardiff, Wales-based 7-piece played their hits along with a Pavement cover–”Frontwards” from their 2007 e.p. “Sticking Fingers into Sockets”–in the most humble yet adorable way.

Throughout the set Gareth, lead singer and frontman, made little remarks about their tour, their visit to the States and the inspiration behind some of their songs. He mentioned that this was their first show on the West Coast, which prompted loud applause and whistling from the audience, to which Gareth responded, “I knew that would get a good cheer.” They did little to introduce themselves at the beginning of the set, except to break out an opening lick that should have had everyone in the room dancing.
»continue reading Los Campesinos! at The Echo, November 27, 2007