Countdown to NX35 2010: 11 days ’til you’re picnicking on the square.
Something I really enjoy about Denton is the sense of “mi casa, su casa.” You can go downtown to the courthouse and have a grand ol’ day in area. Bring a blanket, acoustic guitar, book, drawing pad and/or some friends along with some cold drinks and enjoy a few hours outside, courtesy of the city of Denton. The people watching opportunities abound, and if you flash a smile, you might just meet someone new. If none of the yet-to-be-announced NX35 day events don’t strike your fancy, prepare for the evening at the square.
photo credit: Sabra Laval's myspace profile
Sabra Laval
The recordings don’t do Sabra Laval justice. I wasn’t even going to write about Laval until I caught the last half of her set at Saturday’s free show at The Majestic Dwelling of Doom. Another example of “mi casa, su casa”, this house seated at the very end of Texas Street has been a consistent DIY venue in Denton and hosted the show for Laval, Tre Orsi, and Bosque Brown in its graffiti-covered basement. Due to prior engagements, I could only catch the last half of Laval’s set but what I caught exceeded my expectations.
Much like notable female singers from Denton like Sarah Jaffe and Bosque Brown, what draws you to Sabra Laval is not the simple guitar strums or even the talented band members. It’s the voice. Seemingly from another land, Laval’s smoky, jazzy vocals are both haunting and sultry, slow and soft. I do have to mention the talented band members though as Ryan Williams beautifully accompanied Laval on the upright bass and Taylor Sims provided just the right amount of Rhodes in between Laval’s lines on Saturday. I’ve seen them in other bands and they never disappoint. Also notable, Laval closed the free show with a song about whiskey that could very well be the anthem for every whiskey-drinking woman out there. I hope to hear it again. I hope to hear her again. I hope you hear her on the opening night of NX35 as she joins The Beaten Sea, The Fox and The Bird, and Delmore Pilcrow at the Jupiter House.
Here’s what to expect as she performed at NX35 last year:
Notable tunes to preview online: “Night Shelf”, “Keep Quiet” / Myspace
Scott @ Annex on March 8th, 2010
Whiskey Blues is her typical “closer” so if you come to the show, you’ll more than likely hear it.
By the way, this is the Annex House “showcase.”