The National Underground

Back with another installment of new and exciting things! Last night I had the pleasure of spending a night on the town with one of my best friends and getting to see the phenomenal Bryan Fenkart perform at the National Underground in NYC. If you’ve never been to the National Underground, it’s a very intimate atmosphere with the dim lights and the few high top tables and stools. There’s an upstairs and a downstairs, but I didn’t get a chance to wander downstairs last night…maybe on my next trip. But, the main reason we ditched Jersey for the night was to FINALLY catch one of Bryan’s sets. I’ve been dying to go see him play for the longest time now, and with the obscene amount of crap that was building up in my schedule finally coming to a halt I jumped at the opportunity to spend a Monday night in the city with some stellar tunes…and we were even granted the pleasure of getting to hear the extremely talented Parry Adams not only sing backup for Bryan, but play some guitar and sing some covers as well as some of her original stuff from her new EP. Keep an eye out for that because it’s going to be amazing!  

So, before I jump head first into anything about the actual acoustic set (notice how well it flows with that intimate atmosphere) let’s recap a tiny bit. Bryan is in the studio recording album number two, which is entitled Simple and Grey (grey with an E not an A) and is looking at a release date for sometime in the early fall. Fingers crossed for September!

Now, back to the reason I’m writing this blog in the first place. The set last night was outstanding, and I was so excited to hear some of my favorites from Imperfect Man played live. The raw emotion that is clearly hard to miss when you’re listening to the album is amplified more than words can describe when you hear them live. As soon as Bryan played the first chord of Tuesday Morning there was a steady flow of all things incredible just making its way around the bar and everyone that sat there listening, I hope, felt as moved by the performance as I was. After Tuesday Morning we got to hear Hammer To Fall, I Miss You, Empty Handed, Imperfect Man & Independence Day. I hope no one ever asks me to pick a favorite song from the first album because it could take me forever and a day. I’m absolutely equally in love with all of the melodies and lyrics. Do not ever ask me to pick a favorite. It won’t happen.

After a short break, in which Parry Adams blew the crowd away, Bryan hopped back on the stage and gave us all a taste of some of the new material from Simple and Grey. I was so excited to hear some of the new stuff and I can promise that when the album drops in the fall anyone who buys it (and by anyone I do mean EVERYONE, because everyone should buy it) will not be disappointed. He played Shiver On The Edge, Okay, Wait It Out, Brother, The Middle Man and the album’s title track, Simple and Grey. All I have to say about the new material is WOW! If the relatable factor for Imperfect Man was at a 10 on the scale, then it’s blowing past that for Simple and Grey. I loved all of the new material equally, because it’s just too hard for me to play favorites with any of Bryan’s music, but the one that really hit me hardest was Simple and Grey. As the song went on and the lyrics and guitar built up I could feel the emotions building like a wave and then crashing down and consuming me. I was blown away, so much in fact that when my friend tried to get my attention midway through the song I didn’t even realize it.

Aside from getting to see an incredible acoustic performance, it’s always a treat when you get to hang out with the performer afterwards and it was awesome getting to hang out with Bryan and have a few drinks at the bar. If anyone ever gets the opportunity to see him play a show, you won’t be disappointed. He’s one of the nicest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and very down to earth. Hanging out with him was a great time, and I’m looking forward to the next adventure. Bryan if you read this, more whiskey will be involved! =].

So, recap: Simple and Grey should be finished in July and out by September. If you don’t have Imperfect Man, go and get that. If you have a facebook or a twitter you can find Bryan on both of those lovely social networking sites (twitter: @steinway7 and facebook: Bryan Fenkart). There’s always updates being posted so you can stay up to date.

Until my next blog rolls around, you can find me on twitter @gabbymags for more of my outrageous banter and comedic relief (sometimes).

Until next time =].