Jesse Woods Visits Los Angeles

Everyone’s favorite cowboy Jesse Woods from Austin, TX is in Los Angeles this week playing some fantastic shows all over town. Last night, he graced the Bootleg Theater in Echo Park along with La Luz and Pure Bathing Culture. Jesse was accompanied by a band, which he later told me was a new addition to his sets. This is my third time seeing Jesse and the band only made his performance even more cinematic and dreamy. Adding in the low-lit grungy vibe of Bootleg, the setting was perfect for a magical night with heartfelt tunes.

Rootin’ tootin’ singer/songwriter/carpenter (of sorts… he built the studio he recorded his last album in) Jesse came out in his cowboy hat ready to roll. He opened with ‘Walk Along Cattle Drives’, the first track on his recently released full-length album Get Your Burdens Lifted. That’s exactly what Jesse accomplishes in his sets- there’s a calming, sentimental way about his performance that makes you feel like stretching out on the grass and staring at the moon, that all of your problems have dissipated for a few moments and you have an overall sense of peace. His melodic and captivating vocals carry the room in an effortless way as he belts out his unfeigned lyrics, “Right before the sunrise, right before the moon dies, dreams are turnin’ inside out…dreams are turnin’ inside out.”

Halfway through the set Jesse played my favorite track on the album ‘Danger in the Dancehall’. If there ever was a song to fall in love to, this one just might be it. It pulls at your heart strings, with lyrics “I hear the angels loud and clear…I’m lost forever…won’t ever find a single tear, coming from my eyes”. His guitar picking is bright and crystal clear, with enchanting solos to boot. His honesty and soul-baring efforts onstage are felt tremendously by his adoring fans. He seamlessly lifted the sleepy mood with ‘Lazerburn’, which has a Johnny Cash kind of rhythm to it, like the thought of line dancing could be a possibility. Again, his band makes for a much more lively set, for the audience and it looks like for Jesse himself. He ended the set with a beautiful solo performance, and thanked the crowd with a handsome smile and a friendly

“Goodnight, ya’ll”.

Next to take the stage was the adorable all-girl band La Luz from Seattle. My god, there is something impossibly refreshing about chicks jamming on instruments, especially when they’re all talented and wonderfully experimental. La Luz has a 60’s mod vibe, with slow electric drones that borderline spiritual/ambient rock. It’s sure to soothe you- everyone in this band sings and their harmonies are delicate and sultry. The audience stood open-mouth gazing and utterly mesmerized as lead singer Shane wailed on her guitar… and I haven’t seen a girl shred solos like this since St. Vincent. They performed most of the tracks off their new album ‘It’s Alive’, doing little choreographed jigs during most numbers. Shane is absolutely hilarious when conversing with her audience, making jokes about the ping-pong table with her stoner-like giggles. This band is a true delight and should acquire even more of a following as they continue to play live.

Lastly, on a particularly whimsical note, Portland’s own Pure Bathing Culture closed out the night. With Sarah Versprille’s souring, angelic vocals and Daniel Hindman’s incandescent guitar solos, this powerfully divine foursome sets the tone for a truly ethereal concert experience. I’m not sure how she does it, but Sarah makes a mullet look completely modern AND rad. Her killer voice transcended above the audience, painting a picture of two star-crossed lovers driving away together into the moonlight. My favorite track off their album Moon Tides, ‘Pendulum’, lit up the venue in such a way I for one felt like I was floating. It also always amazes me how foot petals can amplify and skyrocket the sound from a guitar, and it looks like Pure Bathing Culture has effectively mastered this technique. On tour with La Luz this winter, I highly, highly recommend that you see these guys for yourself.