I’m not used to this going-to-gigs-to-see-a-specific-band-and-really-liking-the-support-act malarkey but I’m most definitely not complaining. It’s happened a few times recently – Alessi’s Ark ahead of Magic Magic, the Joy Formidable before Silversun Pickups – and yesterday it happened again.
Sam Amidon was a last-minute addition to the Monto line-up last night, where I had gone to see Anathallo (mind-blowingly intense performance, especially the Sigur Rós-like encore). I missed the first part of his set and entered the gig part of the venue to find him addressing the floors, walls and light-fixtures, thanking them for listening.
Sam Amidon
It sounds strange, but there was reason behind his apparent insanity – the poor guy was the opener for the night and was initially playing for an empty room until people realised the show had started and began to trickle in.
Putting this eccentricity aside for the moment, his performance was unexpectedly excellent.
Sam Amidon – Saro (youtube)
The video for this track is perfectly reflective of his authentic folk sound, and the images of the old American prairie evoked by his music – he played this particular song sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the stage with an acoustic guitar.
More tracks up on his MySpace…I think it’s the floors, walls and light-fixtures who should be thanking him for gracing their “ears” with his music…
