A Somber Evening at the Listening Room

It was a different kind of night at the Listening Room. Normal MC Chris could not make it this evening so Jonathan Vassar stepped in, making the normal remarks rageding the bands and the donation box with the deer head. He didn’t like being up there and promised Chris would be back next month.

Alex Enggist began the evening with a bunch of songs that he wrote all by himself. “Except the ones my mom helped with,” he said. “And by mom, I mean Bruce Springsteen,” he joked as he performed a mellow version of “I’m On Fire.” Enggist seemed to be nervous, which brought down the performance just a bit which was dissapointing because his album is nothing less than amazing.

Alex Enggist – The 4:55 Downtown

Philadelphia native Birdie Busch came down for the evening and played lots of folk-flavored songs. I was more entertained by her talks in between songs where she used words like “freakazoid” and talked about her weird fans.

Birdie Busch – Penny Arcade

Former Mermaid Skeletons leadman Josh Hryciak ended the show with one of the most phenominal sets I’ve ever heard at the Listening Room. It was just him and a guitar but his soothe, angelic voice won over the crowd as he sang old whimsical songs and some new material. I’m very glad he didn’t play any Mermaid Skeletons stuff because I was eager to hear what else he is capable of. He also promises to play more shows soon (It’s about time).