One Wyldwood patron said "You find good people, good music, professional, the artists are on top of their game, and you can feel good knowing all the money is going directly to the artists." I got a chance to ask Amy and Andrew about the biggest joy they've received from holding four years of shows at their home. They replied that "Our venue creates an intimate connection between the performers and the audience that creates such a different show than you're going to see anywhere else."
It's time for Suzanna and Eldridge to begin. During their introduction, they explain that they have been selected by the state of Texas to perform as ambassadors of the "Texas modern pop sound." Listening, I can understand why they laughed a bit as if thinking "whatever Texas modern pop means ..."
Like a lot of music in these post-label days, it doesn't easily fit into any genre. Suzanna's voice has a richer quality to it and the songs have a more grounded, adult viewpoint on love and relationships than I usually associate with "pop" music.
The rhythm and arrangements aren't quite "folk", it's more blues than bluegrass. Her first set is all originals, some old, some new, and many from her current CD, Shudders & Rings. It's definitely hitting some of the same notes and heartstrings that made Norah Jones, Kirsty MacColl, and other female songwriters with a distinctive sound break out from the crowd.
From the audience, my friend Sondra calls her daughter during the set. She holds up the phone to send the music over the airwaves to San Diego, and agrees to buy her a CD too. Today, we are more likely to hear of a new band from our friends and family, and then go seek their music online before we hear them on the radio.
During the break, there are s'mores at the campfire in back. The table at the entrance to Amy and Andrew's backyard has a pickle jar for the suggested donation. The jar filled up quickly, and the stack of sky blue CDs is about half its original size. Suzanna is busy autographing the CDs and taking a moment to talk to each of her fans. Suzanna says that among musicians, the word is: "Oh, you're doing a house concert? Take a lot of CDs with you ..." We make plans to meet up after her second show of the night, at one of my favorite downtown venues, Momo's and take our seats for the second set.
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