Samantha Crain – Whelans – Gig Review – 7-04-17

Musictown Festival runs until April 17th.

Samantha Crain played the smaller ‘Upstairs’ venue in Whelans last night. Despite the drum kit in the corner, I was expecting Samantha by herself, as it’s unlikely to see a full band play this smaller venue. It was therefore a shock to the system to see five band members arrive on stage, complete with clarinet, violin, guitar, bass and drums. Samantha told the audience that she was going to play her new album ‘You Had Me at Goodbye‘ in full to start the evening, a mild relief to this correspondent who was intending on jotting down the set list!

Each song came with a story, which always adds to the experience. ‘Oh Dear Louis’ was the first single off her new album, and caused an argument with her housemate as she converted their house into a horror film set for the video shoot! For the song ‘Betty’s Eulogy’ she told us it was based around the wife of Will Rodgers. She is from Oklahoma, and the city has a fascination with Will. So much so, they named their airport after him, despite the fact he died in a plane crash! There was even a song in the Native American language Choctaw called ‘Red Sky, Blue Mountain’, a language she learned from her Grandmother.

The inspiration for the songs varied from Jimmy Webb’s ‘Wichita Lineman’ to a reoccuring moment in Horror films. ‘For album number six, you have to dig deep’ Samantha told the audience at one point! She is a bright and colourful character and the band were impressive with the use of clarinet and voilin adding a spark. Highlights on the night included Antiseptic Greeting, Oh Dear Louis and Outside the Pale, a song inspired by sticking it to the man! It was a good start to the Musictown festival, an unusal and fun gig in a lovely venue.

Support:

Support on the night came from Rosa Nutty, a new name to me but an enjoyable set. There were three performers on stage, Rosa with her guitar and two backing vocalists who created lush harmonies that filled the room.

Rosa Nutty – (EP Launch) – Workman’s Club – June 1st Tickets €8

Set List –

Antiseptic Greeting
Oh Dear Louis
Loneliest Handsome Man
Wise One
Red Sky, Blue Mountain
Smile When
Betty’s Eulogy
Windmill Crusader
When The Roses Bloom Again
Wreck

Outside the Pale
Santa Fe
Kathleen
Somewhere all the TIme

Encore:
Elk City
For the Miner