Phosphorescent @ Lee's Palace

Phosphorescent @ Lee's Palace
Sunday, April 10, 2011 Opening Groups: Evening Hymns
Photo taken by Amanda Soriano (me!)

___Evening Hymns - What an appropriate name. No word of a lie, their whole set was full of slow songs and tired expressions. My eyes felt like cinder blocks by the end of it. The disappointing part was that their stuff online seemed pretty cool and up beat... but what it translated to Sunday night was a pre-show nap.

___Luckily Matthew Houck of Phosphorescent killed the sandman and brought us back to life. Performing both new and old tracks, the sounds of Alabama "raised the roof". The music literally squeezing your heart to feel the emotions of the songs, as if he wrote them days before. Not only was Matthew great, his whole band was outstanding. The pianist was psycho good, and the guitarist and drummer were totally on the same page... it was perfect. Clearly displaying years of experience, Toronto was treated to some good old fashioned talent. I loved "Wolves" (although some D.B. in the crowd was echoing the words in the background), and "The Mermaid Parade". By the end of the show, there was no doubt in my mind that I was leaving with a t-shirt. So, if you're making a stop at Bonnarro, don't leave without indulging in the sweet sounds of Phosphorescent!

Phosphorescent in London performing Wolves.

5 0 50 with Matthew Houck of Phosphorescent

Who's the first artist that comes to mind when you're looking for something to bring your hopes up?
Matthew: uhhm, He's a poet from Persia... Hafiz. A happy poet!

If you had the opportunity to play in another band for a day, which band would you choose?
Matthew: The Bee Gees!

If you could sing karaoke with any artist, who would it be?
Matthew: Dolly Parton

What song is on repeat on your iPod?
Matthew: A song by my friend's bands, which is called Little Wings. A song called "How Come"

What's your favourite thing that doesn't exist anymore?
Matthew: Childhood innocence.

Last words to the fans: Hope to see you at the show!

Phosphorescent

Phosphorescent
Twitter /Myspace /Website /Facebook

-Matthew Houck from Alabama.
-Used to perform under the name "Fillup Shack"
-Played all of the instruments on his record "Pride"
-Playing Bonnaroo 2011
-"Last thing I needed first thing this Morning" session on KEXP
-Performance on Dave Letterman
-Has two Daytrotter Sessions, click here.
-Has a Tribute album to Willie Nelson called "To Willie"
-Recorded a Black Cab Sessions for "Wolves", click here.
-New music video for "It's Hard to be Humble when you're from Alabama" posted July 2010, click here.
-"I wish I was in Heaven sitting down" on Paste Magazine. (This one's worth the click!)

Songs to listen to: Wolves (Posted below), I wish I was in Heaven sitting down, Full Grown Man.



Conclusion: I was pretty much 100% sold with "Wolves" and just overly complacent with "I wish I was in Heaven sitting down". I need to see this guy live, there's no doubt about it. If you're in Toronto April 10, you need to drop by Lee's Palace and spend the couple of dollars to check him out. It's going to be super! (Buy your tickets here!) Otherwise, if you're attending Bonnaroo and you're into folk music, make sure you stop by his stage because I have high anticipations with the guy!