BILL CALLAHAN LIVE IN AUSTIN

Bill Callahan, Austin singer-songwriter played at St. David's Church in downtown Austin in late December. After listening one or two of his songs it is easy to fall in love with his thick rich baritone voice and intensely honest, personal yet simple lyrics. Callahan sings in the same range he speaks, creating a feeling that you are over hearing a very intimate conversation. Barefoot and wearing jeans, he is no crowd pleaser. In fact he doesn't appear to give a shit if you like his music or not. He plays because he likes to play, he writes because that's what he does and he is damn good at it. The show at St. David's was a mix of his older songs from Smog, mostly playing songs from the last Smog album A River Ain't too Much to Love as well as songs from his newest post Smog album Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle.

Opening for Callahan, a Brooklyn band called Lights appeared in lacy dresses and long blonde hair; an awkward female duo of one girl playing guitar, the other on drums with an odd use of cymbal, and a dude on bass. The girls sighed melodic harmonies over a funky bass, while the girl on guitar made use of her many effects pedals. Although the music was "pretty" with an interesting lulling 70's disco element, it was overall not impressive and everyone seemed bored.

After Lights, and nearly falling asleep, Bill Callahan came out with a drummer to accompany him. As Callahan swayed slowly back and forth, strumming short, simple chords, the drummer played a very interesting and impressive beat using all parts of his snare, sometimes even playing with his fingers instead of his sticks. When Callahan played Rock Bottom Riser the crowd was enchanted. This was my first time to see Callahan, and it felt almost like a divine experience. The words to his songs leaked from his lips effortlessly and I could imagine him sitting on his front porch in Austin, looking at the birds and writing songs. When Callahan sang Too Many Birds in One Tree his voice almost surpassed his normal speaking range for the first time. The poetry and honesty of Callahan's songs remind me of Leonard Cohen. I recommend listening to Smog's A River Ain't Too Much to Love. Listen while you are driving or doing something relaxing.