Switchfoot Singer Delivers Intimate New York Solo Show
January 9, 2008 - Joe's Pub, New York, NY
Whether it’s performing to 3,000-plus fans in a packed arena or an after-show performance to 30 or so people waiting outside the venue, Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman is able to connect with an audience — no small feat for a musician.
Jon entered the small stage at Joe’s Pub last Wednesday shortly after 7:30 with his guitar and harmonica. Friend and fellow musician Keith Tutt accompanied him for the night on cello. I’ve never been to such an intimate performance before, and Joe’s Pub is definitely a great place to get that up-close-and-personal feel. The room was dimly lit by candles provided on each table throughout the venue as well as soft lighting on the performers. The stage at Joe’s Pub is surrounded by tables and red plush couches on the lower level as well as more seating a level above, where those in attendance can order dinner and drinks while listening to the night’s performance.
Jon’s set opened up with a question (which seemed to be the theme of the night) from a boy named Spencer who was eating with his family right in front of the stage. Spencer asked what each performer’s favorite cereal was, and Jon later joked, “I’m going to have a great time tonight because I love cereal too.”
First song of Jon’s set was “Southbound Train” from his EP, Fall. Keith began the song on cello, then Jon joined on guitar and later harmonica. From the very beginning, Jon’s vocals were strong and blended well with Keith’s accompaniment. I couldn’t get over how rich and full Jon’s voice was, never fluctuating or getting lost in the guitar or cello.
Jon joked that he wanted to start off the night with three songs in the key of D so he could get all of his headgear (a.k.a. his harmonica harness) out of the way. While a few of the songs I didn’t recognize, they seemed to be a preview of what is to be expected from his future EPs: Winter, which will be released Tuesday, and Spring and Summer, which will be out later this year. Throughout the 15-song set, which ran a little over an hour, Jon sang most of the songs from Fall as well as some classic Switchfoot hits, such as “Dare You to Move” with guest singer Anthony Raneri from Bayside and an encore performance of “Only Hope,” which ended the night.
One song was explained as being about death and how a lot of us aren’t learning how to live, we’re learning how to die. Another song, “War in My Blood,” was written with Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek for a project they call the Real SeanJon. “Our goal is to get sued by Puffy,” Jon joked. “Puffy, if you’re here tonight, please sue us.”
Perhaps the most emotional song of the night was “Somebody’s Baby,” which Jon explained is about a homeless woman who he saw one day brushing her teeth outside near his house. The lyrics and tone are very somber, especially when you’ve heard the story behind the song. When the lyrics got to the part where she dies, the mood definitely got a little heavy in the room. Afterward he told the audience, “I warned you it’s sad,” and then began another song, “Your Cheating Heart” — not entirely a happy song either. That song had a simple guitar rhythm to it as well as a nice harmonica feature.
” ‘The Moon Is a Magnet’ is kind of a tongue twister for your fingers,” Jon said before playing it, and I definitely could see that while watching him play. He then played “Let Your Love Be Strong,” from Switchfoot’s Oh! Gravity, which he described as being a question — the next song played was the answer to it.
Anthony from Bayside came out toward the end of the night to help out with vocals on “Dare You to Move.” He said Jon called him at 5:30 to see if he would sing the song with him. Anthony seemed a little nervous at first, but overall his vocals were really strong and meshed well with Jon and Keith’s performance. Jon then covered his favorite Bad Religion song, “Sorrow,” and then segued nicely into “The Cure for Pain” as his voice resonated throughout the venue before his encore performance and one of my favorite songs, “Only Hope.”
Opening act for the evening was Dawn Landes. Playing a seven-song, 45-minute set, she definitely wowed the crowd with her strong voice and guitar playing, backed a band featuring drums, cello and bass. I especially liked one of their songs, played completely acoustic, with a tambourine in the mix. It was simple but well played, with a cameo from the cellist. “Picture Show” was definitely an entertaining number, sounding circuslike with funny quips sung throughout. The last song of her set was “Kissing Song,” which encompassed a strong vocal sound as well as a beautiful strings feature. Her voice and performance definitely has a folk sound to it, somewhat comparable to Feist and Regina Spektor. Her album, Fireproof, is due in March.
Extremely appreciative of everyone who came out for his performance, Jon told the crowd that he had been looking forward to Wednesday night for a long time. “This whole project has been a real dream for me. Thanks for being a part of it.”
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