Last Night’s Show: Live Music in San Francisco
I haven’t been to that many live music venues in San Francisco, but all of the ones that I’ve made my way to have impressed me in one way or another. The Independent did not fail to live up to that personal trend when I finally made it there last night. The venue, which has been a part of San Francisco’s live music life for over 30 years, offers good sound, great lighting and room to dance without decreasing the intimacy of a small venue.
The show was Toby Lightman opening for Carbon Leaf. Toby’s a New York songstress who was unfamiliar to me prior to last night and whose music is currently emanating from the speakers of my laptop. Her bouyant energy filled The Independent with youthfulness but her voice ricocheted from out of another era. Blending influences from various genres including indie folk, alt country, jazz and grrrl rock, she offered one of those performances that makes folks who came just to see the headliner glad that they arrived early and caught the opening act.
And Carbon Leaf … What can I say about Carbon Leaf? The Virginia-based band has been together long enough to have that seamless semblance of a group whose members enhance each others’ sound. Using different songs to highlight the strengths of each of the five performers, the band blended original songs with uniquely-chosen covers to display the range of their folk rock / aterna-root music. Incorporating flute sounds, accordion and various shakers and beats, Carbon Leaf also brought a historic other-era sound to the modern stage.
The lead singer’s performance style was like something out of a movie about a musician (enhanced by the fact that he reminded me of Kitten from Breakfast on Pluto), which was odd at first and then became entirely enchanting. The band offered an encore sans amplification which worked impressively well in the high-ceilinged, comfortably-spaced venue.
Hear more from Carbon Leaf on MySpace. Hear more from Toby Lightman here.
San Fran Voice “Last Night’s Show” sneak preview: Crystal and the Wolves and Firebug performing Friday at Kimo’s.
