Joshua Radin
Monday, November 2nd at the Knitting Factory

“Don’t be scared that I abandoned the acoustic guitar… I’m just starting over, trying something new,” Joshua Radin said to the crowd after opening up his set. There were lots of microphones and instruments on stage (even a stand up bass). There was also four other guys with Joshua Radin. Joshua’s microphone stand had two microphones on it; never seen a mic like it before. As he said, tonight will be 1/3rd Simple Times, 1/3rd We Were Here, and 1/3rd new stuff. This was fine by me, because I adore both of those albums and he sounded just as good rocking out on an electric guitar with a bit stronger vocals. New Radin is dandy! 

“I am in a story telling mode tonight,” he noted. He was very chatty and it was fantastic. When artists talk about their music and tell stories I think it is what makes the show so personable and intimate. You get to see another side of the musician. The Knitting Factory was a full to the right limit; there was space but not enough to do cartwheels. 

His stories included one about how one day on tour (11 months after he broke up with his girlfriend – so he wasn’t quite over her) it was so cold outside, his bus froze over. When he walked out of it a young fan was standing outside with a picture of him and his ex and she asked him to sign it. That was enough to make him upset so he wrote a song about it. I guess it takes 12 months to get over a girl.

He spoke about his song “Everything’s Going to Be All Right.” How that song was for his friends son Will who was born to his music and was 6 months old and couldn’t get to sleep. So the dad called him over to write him a lullaby and it was during Hurricane Katrina. But Will just needed something quite and soothing to hear, Joshua was there. Very sweet.

One of the first songs he wrote called “Today” is now a wedding song, but it was more meant to be just a romantic song not a wedding song. He doesn’t get to go to a lot of weddings because he is on tour but one of his friends got married in New York, when he was home. He didn’t get a plus one on the invite, sat at a table full of couples, and was just bummed. I think we have all been there. He put a funny spin on it though by saying that when you are 38 you should have plates and do not need them from Crate and Barrel as a wedding gift. That he doesn’t even have kitchen gadgets in his NY Apartment. That all the single people should get a gift from the wedding. It was really funny.

We all have one night stands right… he said to the crowd; once in a while…maybe not everyone. Anyhow sometimes you meet someone and it feels like magic then a few hours later it doesn’t; hence the one night stand. Almost every song had a little narrative behind it and it was a delight. The evening was laid-back and it warmed my heart as winter is approaching in Spokane. He is very good at capturing your attention with darling lyrics, humble vocals, good music and a smile.

Check out more photos from the show here!

Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com