despite traffic jams in purley-gatory (man, seriously the south east’s arterial roads suck the big one) we got to brighton in two relatively jolly pieces and even found a parking space nearby to the pub.

j.tillman was first up on the bill and played three covers (by gillian welch, neil young and the boss respectively) and two of his own (lilac hem and jesse’s not a sleeper) but dayum if that boy hasn’t got one of the most effortlessly melodic voices i’ve ever heard. he doesn’t sing so much as breath an ache over his guitar playing. it was beautiful.

by the time damien jurado (he’s a band now) came on we were the two tall people right near the front with big hair, so apologies if you were behind us. not sure what to say really, except it was a joy to behold that close up. damien himself was super relaxed with his new band, telling stories about his six year old Kraftwerk loving son, chatting with the band and filling the air with 15 of his lovliest songs, including ‘how i broke both my legs’ with j. tillman on drums.
in what is undoubtably bad blogging form, i’m posting another damien jurado track straight after yesterday’s but it was such a standout for me last night its been ringing round my head all day and i do so love to share.

normal non-washington based, un-acoustic guitary meanderings will resume shortly. promise.

damien jurado - lottery