Jac Sound, Bridgeport and Technicolor Hearts @ Grainey's Basement (7/26/12)

Part of me really wanted to see Crispin Glover at the Egyptian Theatre this night, but unfortunately, I couldn't justify spending the money for the tickets at this time (yay unemployment).  I couldn't get too down in the dumps, though.  One great thing about Boise nowadays: it's not wanting for cost-effective entertainment options.

A considerable number of folks came down to Grainey's Basement this night.  Most of them didn't stay for all the music (organized by Keesha Renna's Vagabond Promotions), but happily, they stayed for most of it.  The ratio of four or five girls to one guy didn't bother me at all either.

First up this night was local musician Jac Sound.  I've always liked this guy: he's got perfect pitch, a good sense of rhythm and a great sense of humor.  I can't think of anyone else around Boise who could cover "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio and "All That She Wants" by Ace of Base in the same set and make them feel of a piece.  His originals aren't too shabby either.  He writes smart lyrics and unfailingly catchy tunes (though he may borrow from others sometimes--coulda sworn that he lifted the riff from Pink Floyd's "Money" for this one song).  His pleasant high tenor and his guitar/kick drum/hi-hat playing were in good form this night, and his overwhelmingly female audience applauded warmly.  I clapped but let the ladies do the cheering--figured that'd give the man a nice little ego boost.

After Jac Sound came Stephen Palin a.k.a. Bridgeport, whom Keesha Renna had shrewdly asked to play a set after a scheduling conflict prevented a touring group from appearing.  Palin did a good job, considering that he got this gig at the very last minute.  His gentle, charming folk-pop tunes provided an excellent transition from Jac Sound's more rocking material.  His brief set included a medley of Miley Cyrus's "Party In the U.S.A." and Blink-182's "What's My Age Again?", the latter of which went over very well indeed with the audience.

Austin-based art-pop duo Technicolor Hearts closed out the night's music.  Their thirty-minute set took a while to get started due to some technical difficulties, but it proved worth the wait.  Naomi Cherie's murmured vocals, solemn violin and skillful looping joined with Joseph Salazar's quietly arresting rhythm tracks and garage-y guitar to create truly dreamlike music.  Their twirling light show added further to the waking-dream feel of their performance.  It's too bad that more people didn't stay to watch this group.

You can find info on these groups on Facebook and elsewhere online.  You can contact Vagabond Promotions at 1 (208) 283-0259 and Whatvagabond@hotmail.com.