Today's Song: Doom's Day

Last night, at The Echo in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Echo Park, Elvis Perkins performed another amazing set, this time as the headliner.  

Each time I see Elvis play, it's either in front of more people, in a larger venue, or he's the main bill.  All things which make me quite happy for him.  Lately, he's been in Rolling Stone, featured as one of the 4 artists to look out for in Paper magazine, and the "blogosphere" is enraptured with him.

The show last night was probably the fourth time he's been through LA in a year.  He's been to Europe, Canada, all over the U.S., and he's about to go to Europe again.  It cannot be said he is not working his ass off to make this happen.  And it seems to be working.

I can't say enough about Elvis or his backup band, Dearland.  And each time I see them they seem tighter, more comfortable being creative with their songs, and as though they're having more and more fun.  (I spoke to Elvis briefly after the show and his first comment to me was the he was tired, which I would imagine from all the driving and touring, is to be expected.  But on stage, he had the charisma, grace, and talent to keep quiet a full crowd.  Only a couple people were talking during the set, and that to me is always a good sign.  If an artist can grab the attention of a room full of people, pull them into his world, and let them actually feel the music, that artist is doing something very right.

Elvis does it right.

The song today is one he usually puts near the end of his sets, but last night was the second song of the evening.  It's a raucous, drunken-bar sing-along good time, but listen carefully.  As with most of Elvis' music, there is great joy and wonder, accompanied by tragedy.

He's playing again tonight in Los Angeles at Largo, although I've heard it's going to be near impossible to get in.  Needless to say, I'm going to try.  Hopefully I'll run into some of you.

Peace.