The good folks at Daytrotter left the safe confines of the Midwest to bring Barnstormer 5 to the East Coast. And though they've battled venue changes and hurricanes, we hope, for the sake of Daytrotter and music fans, the rest of this tour goes off without a hitch. melophobe caught the first stop in Kittery, Maine, and despite power problems and the venue shutting down before White Rabbits could play, we had a fantastic time. First up was an acoustic set from Doug Paisley of Toronto, Ontario. Pardon our poor attempt at lightly parodying the Daytrotter writing style (lots of similes, conceits, and no paragraph breaks), and stay tuned for more coverage of Deer Tick, Guards, and We Are Augustines.
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Though he claimed he "doesn't sing sea shanties," the Maine sea air must have done something to Doug Paisley. Because as he spun tales over acoustic guitar, he lulled his audience to rest, like rolling waves rock the wearied sailor to sleep. On their own, Paisley's songs should not put the listener at ease. His are unsettling stories of near-death car crashes, dying animals, and runaway romances. It's in his delivery that Paisley assures you, do not fear. While his fingers pick and roll over the strings, his warm voice pours out like honey on toasted bread. Even his hair seems up to the task, his flowing, golden locks resting neatly on his head. And though he couples his gentle twang (which betrays his Toronto roots) with a furrowed brow, he ends his tales with a reassuring smile and a "thank you." Though Paisley's bluegrass style easily fits with today's Americana, to us, he's from another era, a true troubadour of the sea.
Doug Paisley: official site | label site
Catch the rest of Barnstormer 5 (tickets):
08/28 - Old Lantern Barn (Charlotte, VT)
08/29 - The Living Room (New York, NY)
08/30 - Chaseland Barn (New Wilmington, PA)
08/31 - Conrad Botzum Farmstead Barn (Akron, OH)
09/01 - Lakeview Farms Barn (Dexter, MI)
09/02 - Kalyx Center Barn (Monticello, IL)
09/03 - Codfish Hollow Barn (Maquoketa, IA)
See all Doug Paisley tour dates here.
